CARING FOR YOUR JEWELLERY
HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR JEWELLERY
Even the best-made jewellery needs to be looked after. Taking care of and storing your jewellery correctly can make a massive difference to the lifespan of your piece. Below are some hints and tips on how to care for your Odeda jewellery pieces so that they continue to look as lovely as the day you received them.
General tips for wear
Apply any lotions, sprays, cosmetics or scents and wait for at least a few minutes for these to settle before putting on your Odeda jewellery. Don’t forget to remove your Odeda jewellery if you reapply these throughout the day.
To keep your Odeda jewellery pieces looking their absolute best remove your jewellery every time you wash or sanitise your hands, or shower or bath.
Chemicals found in swimming pools and hot tubs can cause extreme tarnishing and water can also contribute to the tarnishing of your jewellery. Accordingly, always remove your Odeda jewellery before swimming or undertaking water based activities.
To ensure your Odeda jewellery is not accidentally damaged please remove it before engaging in any form of physical exercise, whether at the gym, gardening or cleaning. Odeda jewellery should also not be worn when using cleaning products, especially those that contain bleach. It is not recommended to sleep in your Odeda jewellery pieces.
General storage tips
Do not store Odeda jewellery in places that are damp (including bathrooms), hot or in places exposed to direct sunlight. It is best to store your Odeda jewellery in a clean dry place.
If possible store your Odeda jewellery in an airtight container. You can store each piece of jewellery in a zip lock bag to keep it looking shiny and new. Alternatively, or in addition, you can get anti-tarnish strips or pads to store with your Odeda jewellery.
To avoid damage during storage, each piece of Odeda jewellery should be stored separately or in a box that allows each piece to be housed individually, so that pieces do not rub or scratch against each other and to avoid tangles. It is best to avoid storing different metals together.
Cleaning
Usually, the best way to clean your Odeda jewellery is to wash it using warm (not hot) water and a minuscule amount of mild liquid soap and then polish gently with a soft cloth. To avoid losing small pieces down the plug hole remember to wash it in a bowl, rather than in the sink! Always make sure your jewellery is completely dry before storing. However, there are exceptions to this. Some gemstones, including but not limited to, opals and turquoise, can be damaged by exposure to water. These, and more sensitive pieces, can be cleaned by a quick wipe with a soft dry cloth.
Understanding the materials used in a piece of jewellery can help you ensure its durability. Please do contact me (hello@odedajewellery.com) if you have any questions about how to best care for your piece.
Caring for specific materials
Below is some further information regarding the specific materials used in Odeda Jewellery. Please do reach out with any questions or if you would like more information.
Silver:
I use three types of silver in Odeda Jewellery pieces: sterling silver, Argentium silver and fine silver. The difference between these silvers is in the amount of pure silver present and the alloys used: for example, sterling silver usually combines 92.5% of pure silver with 7.5% of other metals; Argentium silver uses more pure silver (either 93.5 or 96%) and replaces copper in the traditional formula with the metalloid geranium; and fine silver contains 99.9% silver.
Any silver jewellery can naturally tarnish over time, but sterling silver is usually the worst affected with Argentium silver and fine silver having a higher resistance to tarnish. In fact, Argentium silver has been developed specifically to reduce the amount of tarnishing when silver comes into contact with air.
Tarnish is the product of a chemical reaction between the silver and oxygen, moisture, sulphides and chlorides in the air. It can also be exacerbated by moisture, chemicals and even body acids and perspiration. To slow this process, wash your silver jewellery occasionally with warm water and a mild soap. A soft toothbrush will help reach tighter areas. If the tarnish lingers, a polishing cloth can be used on pieces with a bright mirror polish although it is not recommended to use these cloths on pieces with a matt finish.
Blackened / oxidised silver:
Oxidization is a patina that blackens sterling silver. It is a surface treatment, so it is susceptible to wear. Over time the surface will ‘polish’, losing the darkened colour and revealing the bright silver underneath. This effect usually appears on the edges of a piece or areas of friction first. The speed at which this happens will depend on a number of factors. Where the piece is worn on the body will be relevant (for example earrings and broaches that remain in one place are more likely to maintain their black finish as long as they are cared for). Exposure to liquids and chemicals, and in some cases the acidity of your skin, can also accelerate this process.
This change to the oxidisation is a natural process and some wearers love how the jewellery wears and develops uniquely. However, if at any time you would like your piece to be re-oxidized, please get in touch. I am happy to provide a re-oxidising service for a small fee or alternatively, if your piece is suitable, I may be able to advise you of some easy home methods that you can use to re-oxidise the jewellery. In any case, while oxidised jewellery is not being worn, it should be placed in a safe, dry container. Oxidised jewellery should also never be cleaned with jewellery cleaning cloths or solutions which can remove the oxidation.
Gold-filled:
Gold-filled jewellery is relatively easy to care for. It can be more durable than gold-plated jewellery, but it will age at different rates depending on how you treat it. All the general tips for wear and storage should be followed in relation to gold-filled jewellery and we recommend it is stored in a small ziplock bag within an airtight container. For a deep clean, gold-filled jewellery can be cleaned with warm soapy water and, if needed, a super soft toothbrush.
Gold:
Gold in its purest form does not tarnish, however gold used for jewellery is mixed with other metals in order that it can be formed into resilient and hard-wearing pieces of jewellery. The metals that are mixed with the gold usually have properties that make it tarnishable if it is not cared for. To clean them you can wash gold pieces in warm water with a mild soap. A soft toothbrush will help reach tighter areas.
Gemstones:
If your jewellery contains gemstones please always avoid hot water, cleaning products and harsh chemicals. Most semi-previous and previous stones can be cleaned using a soft damp cloth, although for porous stones such as turquoise or emerald a soft dry cloth is best. Some stones require special attention, for example pearls, moonstones and opals are quite soft and can be easily scratched and we recommend you wear them with caution and take special care. Some gemstones do not like water, so please check before you clean your piece containing gemstones.
If you ever have any questions about the make-up of your piece or how to best clean it, please contact us at hello@odedajewellery.com or use the button below.