like all things precious, jewellery needs to be looked after. here are some tips on how to care for your Glasswing jewellery, so it stays looking as lovely as the day you received it
skincare and hair products can tarnish and corrode jewellery
Remove jewellery before showering and bathing to avoid damaging it, and try to apply perfumes and skin products and allow to dry before putting on your jewellery.
avoid damaging or scratching your jewellery
Remove jewellery before any physical exercise that involves contact with equipment (or other people for that matter). Jewellery can get scratched or pulled, snagged or snapped, so it’s best to try to take it off beforehand. Gardening is a major culprit for scratching rings so, again it’s best to remove them before doing the weeding!
chlorine and other Chemicals will tarnish
It’s always best to take off jewellery before swimming, as the chemicals in swimming pools and even natural springs, will cause tarnishing. So always remove your jewellery before entering a pool, shower, spring or the sea. The same goes for using cleaning products, even natural/eco ones - so again, try to remove rings before doing the household chores if you can. If your jewellery does tarnish, follow the steps below for restoring shine.
cold hands?
I’ve lost count of the number of rings I have been asked to replace rings after they have slid off whilst swimming or surfing. When our hands get cold, our finger size shrinks, and without noticing, we can lose rings to the sea in a flash. (I know the feeling, it’s happened to me!) So if you can, try to leave your ring somewhere safe before getting into your wetsuit.
gemstone care
All gemstones, even diamonds, sapphires and rubies, the “heavyweights” of the gemstone family, renowned for their hardness, need cleaning, and miniscule scratches removed over the years. The best advice is to take them to a skilled local jeweller and have them polished from time to time to keep them sparkling. Jewellers use gentle but effective sonic cleaners which can lift dirt and debris from jewellery.
stone settings
All settings can benefit from checking from time to time to make sure they are still sound. Claw settings are more likely to need maintenance and claws will need tightening over the years. I recommend taking your jewellery to a local jeweller every few years for a general check up and immediately if you suspect your settings are becoming looser than they were.
sea glass
Sea glass has been tumbling around in the ocean, sometimes for decades, and as such already has frosting and tiny scratches all over it, which is what gives it its distinct character. Once the sea glass is set into metal, the little "stone" itself, and the shaped edges that I have cut and polished (and that you don't see), are protected by the setting in the same way that other stones are. A bezel setting is more secure and protective than a claw setting, which allows more of the stone to be exposed. The surface of sea glass may well become more shiny over time as it is worn, depending what you do whilst wearing the ring.
caring for matte surfaces
All dull surfaces, like matte gold, will, over time become more shiny, especially if they are repeatedly exposed to friction against a harder surface than itself. I do include a little polishing stone with satin brushed jewellery which you can use to gently restore your matte finish. If this runs out, do contact me for a replacement, or you can buy something similar at a local shop.
the best way to stop silver jewellery tarnishing is to wear it!
If you do have to take your jewellery off to store it, it’s best to use something sealed as exposure to the air and environment can cause it to tarnish over time. A zip lock bag can keep the tarnish at bay, as can wrapping it in acid free tissue.
Storing your jewellery
Try to store your jewellery pieces separately so that they don’t get tangled up, or rub against each other and cause scratches. Avoid storing with other items that can cause scratches. Do not store jewellery next to radiators, on windowsills or in the bathroom. Damp and hot conditions will also cause tarnishing.
restoring the shine
Glasswing Jewellery is not plated, it is always made using solid metals. The great thing about gold and silver is that if it gets scratched, dented or tarnished it can be repaired, refinished and polished. You can take your jewellery to a local jeweller, have them give your jewellery a bit of love and attention, and you’ll be amazed how fantastic it will look when it has received a clean! You can always give it a polish at home though. If your jewellery gets really tarnished, I’d recommend using some dish detergent and rubbing gently with a soft cloth or toothbrush**. There are chemicals you can use, like silver dip, though I personally don’t recommend them, a little bit of elbow grease is just as good.
**Always take extra care when cleaning gemstone jewellery yourself and, if you’re unsure, do ask your local jeweller or contact me for further assistance.
If you have any further questions about caring for your jewellery, please do contact me here.