CARE TIPS FOR ALL OUR JEWELRY:
Each piece is handmade with an enormous amount of love and care. Due to the delicate nature of fine jewelry and gemstones, each piece should be cared for appropriately. In order to ensure your piece maintains its appearance we highly recommend removing your jewelry before washing your hands, showering, sleeping, exercising or doing any hard labor. Please note ALL opal, pearl, and emerald pieces must be taken off when in any kind of water, to preserve the quality, as these are naturally a soft stone. Store your pieces individually in a cool, dry place when not being worn.
STERLING SILVER AND 14K GOLD FILLED:
All sterling silver naturally oxidizes or tarnishes. Prolonged exposure to the air and your body’s natural chemistry can speed up this process for us. Avoid direct contact with showers, perfume, lotion, chlorine, and bleach. All silver jewelry should be stored in a little air-tight ziplock bag to help slow the oxidation process.
For sterling silver use baking soda toothpaste with a soft brush or cloth and brighten with a jewelry polishing cloth. For gold-filled use dishwashing liquid and warm water with a soft brush or cloth and brighten with a jewelry polishing cloth. Sterling silver and gold-filled components can last years of regular wear.
GOLD PLATED METALS:
To clean plated components wash gently with dishwashing liquid and water on a as needed basis. Do not scrub/polish or use any harsh chemicals or cleansers to clean. Always remove before showering, swimming, exercising or sleeping and store dry in a sealed plastic bag or closed container.
Their most significant weakness has to do with the water content. They contain 5-20% water, which dries out over the years, causing them to become brittle and lose their hardness. The fire, or color, in opals is made by the cracks in it, thus its beauty is also one of its weaknesses. If an opal is kept in an environment with very low humidity, it can dry out and crack. In most cases, they do not need any special care while stored. However, if you live in a very dry climate, or keep them in a dehumidified room, some precautions are necessary. Keeping them in a tight plastic bag, with a damp piece of cotton or fabric will prevent dehydration. You should avoid leaving your opal near anything potentially drying such as direct sunlight or under lamps.
Solid opal should be cleaned gently with mild detergent in warm water using a soft brush or cloth. Bleach, chemicals and cleaning fluid should always be avoided. If you wear an opal ring on a daily basis, it will need to be re-polished by a professional from time to time to maintain its luster. With proper care and prevention your opal will last for many years to come.