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wiredgems jewelry items are composed of gold filled or Sterling silver wire, which can tarnish due to exposure to the air and the resulting oxidation. Tarnish is the term given to the discoloration of metal surfaces, caused by exposure to, or contact with sulphur compounds in the atmosphere. I am gradually transitioning my wire workings to Argentium silver which is tarnish resistant silver. Argentium silver remains 92.5% silver, as is Sterling silver, but has had added to it the element of germanium which provides the tarnish resistance. The 14K gold filled wire I use is also known as rolled gold and is not gold plate. There is a significant difference. There is one hundred times more gold in gold filled than there is in gold plate. Gold filled also will not corrode, turn or wear off and is durable and strong.
To prevent or delay the tarnish of Sterling silver, place your jewelry in the air-tight plastic bag(s) that I have sent along with your order. These baggies contain a piece of anti-tarnish paper which works well to neutralize the tarnish-causing sulphur gases that will cause your jewelry to lose its shine.
Below you will find general do's and don'ts for jewelry care and maintenance. Specifically, though, I would share with you three different methods or materials for the care of your wiredgems jewelry.
1. For quick shine-ups, especially for the Sterling wire, I recommend jewelry care cloths.The most effective cloths I have used are the non-toxic and disposable Luster Polishing Cloths.( www.lustercushions.com)
2. For jewelry with various gems and stones I have had good success with Jewelry Joose ( www.jewelryjoose.com). It comes in a spray bottle, is environmentally friendly, non-toxic, and not tested on animals. Simply spray on and brush with a soft toothbrush, rinse in warm water and tamp dry.
3. For a home made soak for tarnished, silver jewelry, with or without gems and stones, my favorite recipe is the following:
Ingredients Needed
• Water
• Salt
• Aluminum plate or you can substitute aluminum foil to cover a bowl
• Water Softener Powder (or Baking Soda)
Procedure
1. Take an aluminum plate or aluminum foil covered bowl;
2. Add one tablespoon of salt and one tablespoon of powdered water softener (or baking soda);
3. Pour some hot (not boiling) water into the bowl;
4. Stir to dissolve the powders;
5. Dunk your silver into the solution.
The desired results of removed tarnish may be immediate or it may take a few moments. However, if an item is very tarnished this method may not make your silver perfectly clean and additional polishing may be necessary. After removing the silver from the solution wipe dry with a soft, lint free cotton cloth and, if necessary, use a Q-tip for getting at those hard to reach places.
A caution: use your own discretion in using this recipe with jewelry that has precious or semi-precious stones. I have never experienced any ill effect from this recipe. However, “a word to the wise.”
You will note that each wiredgems jewelry item on this site (and those that may be custom ordered) will have a description of what stones/crystals/gems were used in the piece to help guide you in the care of your chosen piece.
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Do's and Don'ts |
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Do take all jewelry off before entering a swimming pool or whirlpool or Jacuzzi. |
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Do store individual pieces separately to avoid scratching. A plastic, zipper lock bag works great! Then place the bag in a jewelry box or case with the lid closed tightly. Cultured pearls are best stored in a special chamois pouch because of their softness. Never store Pearls in plastic bags |
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Do remember to wipe your jewelry pieces with a soft, damp cloth after wearing. Use 100% cotton as a polishing cloth since paper, polyester, and coarse fabrics often contain wood fibers or synthetics. These materials may impart fine scratches in the metal, especially on sterling silver. |
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Do avoid contact with chemicals and household cleaners. |
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Do put jewelry on after using cosmetics, hair spray or perfumes to avoid the jewelry’s contact with these substances. |
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Don’t use ultrasonic cleaners or any harsh jewelry cleaners on your handmade gemmed jewelry. I recommend using jewelry care cloths especially for your sterling. |
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Don’t ever use chlorine bleach to clean jewelry. |
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Don't use toothpaste to clean jewelry. |
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Don’t store your unprotected jewelry items in one drawer. Keep them separate and, ideally, wrapped in velvet, paper, silk or plastic zip-lock bag. |
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Additional Tips
• To bring back sparkle from faceted gemstones use warm water, dish washing liquid and a soft toothbrush. Soak and brush inside the back of the setting and rinse.
• Many of wiredgems items are a combination of Sterling silver with crystals and/or gemstones. These items cannot be dipped into tarnish remover. Pearls and gemstones will be damaged. In the event that polishing cloths do not work and you wish to use tarnish remover then carefully soak a Q-tip and`apply the remover to only the Sterling silver, then rinse the item in warm water and wipe dry.
• Be very careful when using any soaking method to clean jewelry that has soft stones such as amber, lapis lazuli, or turquoise. Extended soaking in any solution may harm the polish on the stone.
• Pearls. Protect from scratches; perfumes and household chemicals which can wear away the nacre or cause color change.
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