Jewelry ... love it... wear it ... enjoy it!
Jewelry is meant to be worn and enjoyed.
Please do so.
Jewelry is meant to be worn and enjoyed.
Please do so.
I take pride in my work and set high standards in the craftsmanship of my handmade jewelry.
As with every product, the longevity and loveliness of each piece will depend on the care you give it.
Here are some helpful hints on how to look after your jewelry pieces.
As with every product, the longevity and loveliness of each piece will depend on the care you give it.
Here are some helpful hints on how to look after your jewelry pieces.
Precious Metals:
All Sterling Silver will tarnish to varying degrees over time and more quickly if you leave it out in the open.
Gold filled and even gold will also develop a film over time.
The easiest way to clean all your jewelry is with easy soap and water wash described below.
All Sterling Silver will tarnish to varying degrees over time and more quickly if you leave it out in the open.
- Please note, your sterling silver will not discolor immediately.
- Usually pieces that are cared for will hardly tarnish if worn and kept clean.
- Please know that all 'sterling silver' is not created equal. More info to follow on that.
- I work mostly with Argentium sterling which is more tarnish resistant because it contains little or no copper.
- It can get dull and gray from skin oils, soaps and lotions.
Gold filled and even gold will also develop a film over time.
- Please note that gold filled is not like gold plated. More info to follow on that.
- My gold filled is of a high quality and is 14K or higher. It will wear just like solid gold if properly cared for.
The easiest way to clean all your jewelry is with easy soap and water wash described below.
Jewelry Care Tips
1. Soap and water will help to keep all of your jewelry looking good. It's easy and quick if you do it regularly.
2. An Ionic Cleaner can be used to clean your jewelry. It is safe for just about all gems, crystals and pearls. It is best to check if the gemstones can be put in your cleaner. Google is a great resource for this.
3. When you are not wearing your jewelry, store it in a cool, dry place that is air tight.
4. It is best not to immerse your silver jewelry in chorine, salt water, mineral springs and try not to make contract with suntan lotions or any other lotions for that matter.
5. Avoid abrasive cleaners, detergents and commercial dip style jewelry cleaners.
6. Never use an ultrasonic cleaner, ammonia or any chemical solution to clean opaque gemstones such as turquoise, malachite, onyx, lapis lazuli and opals. Please do not put your pearls in this either.
8. You can clean your delicate wire wrapped jewelry with water.
9. Always read the instructions on the side of the Jewelry Cleaners and Cleaning Machines as well as the various clothes and cleaners before using them on your jewelry.
10. To maintain the original condition of your solid silver jewelry, polish your pieces using a non-abrasive silver cleaning cloth.
11. Although my jewelry is made to the highest standards, please do not wear your jewelry to bed, in the shower or while washing dishes. It is best to put your jewelry on at the last moment after you are all prepared for the day or evening outing. This will keep it looking it's best.
12. If you are in any doubt as whether you can use soap and water or a type of cleaner for your jewelry, please ask you jeweller, search the web or get in touch before you do anything to clean the pieces.
12. Always wipe your jewelry with a soft cloth or rinse it and put it away immediately upon removal.
13. Last, please do not attempt to bend or shape your jewelry.
If you break a link in one of my fine pieces, please contact me and I'll be happy to repair it for you.
Enjoy your jewelry!
Wear it.
It's for your pleasure!
Thank you so much for your support!
Ellen
1. Soap and water will help to keep all of your jewelry looking good. It's easy and quick if you do it regularly.
- I recommend blue Dawn dish soap or hair shampoo as neither of these contain any chlorine type chemicals which darken silver. Please do not use any kind of hand soap or dish soap that is disinfectant because chances are that it contains a type of chlorine or chlorine derivative which will usually darken your silver depending on the quality of the sterling.
- I prefer to wet my hands, drop a couple of drops of Dawn into them and then rub them together to make a lather. Then I take the piece I need to clean and place it in the lather and gently rub my hands together. I rinse in warm to hot water and then lay my pieces to dry. You can rub quite vigorously with more sturdy pieces and you will be surprised at how clean they become.
- Please use only a soft cloth to dry your jewelry. Do not use paper towels or tissues.
- Heavy tarnish may not come off with this method. This is why I recommend keeping your jewelry put away when you are not wearing it. This will save your much frustration and time.
2. An Ionic Cleaner can be used to clean your jewelry. It is safe for just about all gems, crystals and pearls. It is best to check if the gemstones can be put in your cleaner. Google is a great resource for this.
- Please note that Ionic and Ultrasonic Cleaners are not the same.
3. When you are not wearing your jewelry, store it in a cool, dry place that is air tight.
- A zip lock bag or segmented plastic box is ideal for this and will prevent the build up of tarnish or scratching by other pieces.
4. It is best not to immerse your silver jewelry in chorine, salt water, mineral springs and try not to make contract with suntan lotions or any other lotions for that matter.
- Always apply perfumes, hair sprays, creams and other products BEFORE putting on your jewelry.
- Having said that, I wear my jewelry always and wash it when necessary.
- The more I wear my jewelry, the more beautiful it stays. Like all things, it likes to have a life!
5. Avoid abrasive cleaners, detergents and commercial dip style jewelry cleaners.
- These are chemicals and can be harsh and even damaging to your metals and stones.
- Any silver with an antique or oxidized finish will be damaged by chemical cleaners.
- This type of finish will be removed by the dip product as these dips tend to be very harsh.
- An oxidized finish is often found coating white gold, sterling silver and platinum jewelry to give it a more shiny finish.
- If your oxidized jewelry has lost its luster even after cleaning you may need to take it to a jeweller to have it re-oxidized.
- Using harsh cleaners and over cleaning your jewelry will alter the look of it.
6. Never use an ultrasonic cleaner, ammonia or any chemical solution to clean opaque gemstones such as turquoise, malachite, onyx, lapis lazuli and opals. Please do not put your pearls in this either.
- These are porous stones and thus they can absorb chemicals which build up inside the stone and cause discolouration.
- Simply wipe these types of stones with a moist cloth.
- Please do not rub these stones with any kind of silver cleaning cloth.
8. You can clean your delicate wire wrapped jewelry with water.
- If your jewelry contains set gemstones or pearls, do not immerse them in water, as this can loosen the settings.
- Again, please never use dips or abrasives on gemstones.
9. Always read the instructions on the side of the Jewelry Cleaners and Cleaning Machines as well as the various clothes and cleaners before using them on your jewelry.
10. To maintain the original condition of your solid silver jewelry, polish your pieces using a non-abrasive silver cleaning cloth.
- If the cloth you have is multilayered, the center can be used to clean the silver and the outside to polish and buff up the silver and remove any tarnish residue.
- Some people like to use an old toothbrush and toothpaste to clean tarnish off silver. I do not recommend this for fine pieces such a necklaces etc. but for a large cuff or rustic piece, this could be fine.
11. Although my jewelry is made to the highest standards, please do not wear your jewelry to bed, in the shower or while washing dishes. It is best to put your jewelry on at the last moment after you are all prepared for the day or evening outing. This will keep it looking it's best.
12. If you are in any doubt as whether you can use soap and water or a type of cleaner for your jewelry, please ask you jeweller, search the web or get in touch before you do anything to clean the pieces.
12. Always wipe your jewelry with a soft cloth or rinse it and put it away immediately upon removal.
- Storing it in a sealed bag or airtight jewelry case and it will serve you well and keep it clean so you can enjoy it every time you wear it.
13. Last, please do not attempt to bend or shape your jewelry.
- Once hardened, the metals can easily snap. A silver or goldsmith can anneal the metal and reshape it for you.
- On my jewelry, please do not attempt to bend or move the fine wire. It can only take so much before it will break.
- Accidents happen and all my pieces can be repaired perfectly.
If you break a link in one of my fine pieces, please contact me and I'll be happy to repair it for you.
Enjoy your jewelry!
Wear it.
It's for your pleasure!
Thank you so much for your support!
Ellen
Pearl Care
I have worn pearls for most of the years of my life. They always make me feel every inch a lady.
Think of Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly and Jackie Kennedy.
Always appropriate, you simply cannot go wrong with a strand of pearls around your neck or wrist.
Proper care can preserve and extend the life of all pearls.
- Extreme dryness is damaging.
- Pearls are sensitive to acids, perspiration, cosmetics and hair sprays.
- Since they are relatively soft, they can scratch easily so please store them separate from your other jewelry.
- Do not use a silver polishing cloth with Pearl jewelry.
- If necessary, pearls can be carefully washed in warm water.
Love them!
One of my mentors, who I will always affectionately call "daddy" always told me that jewelry and fine things should be loved and used daily. He was a shining example of class and elegance and I shall forever be grateful for his influence in my life.
Wear your pieces...cherish them and enjoy them.
Then, pass them on.
Thank you.
Ellen
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