CARING FOR YOUR JEWELLERY

BRONZE - Bronze is a live alloy of metals and it reacts differently depending on your skin’s pH level. Some people may notice their jewellery pieces will get darker over time while others will see them become shinier with wear. Because of the copper content in bronze, sometimes wearing bronze jewellery can cause your skin to turn green where it touches the metal. This green staining is not harmful to the skin, nor is it permanent. It can be easily washed off with soap and water. You can have your bronze jewellery sealed with clear nail polish to prevent your skin from turning green. To clean your bronze jewellery, apply some mild soap to the piece, and rub it to take out any dirt that has accumulated. Rinse it with water and dry it using a towel. Bronze jewellery may tarnish with time and wear .You can restore your jewellery’s original, shiny look by removing the patina with a mix of 2 to 3 tablespoons of baking soda and lemon juice .Rub the paste onto your jewellery using a cloth or a toothbrush until the item is clean–then rinse it and dry it with a cloth .If the patina is persistent, you might need to repeat the process until the tarnish goes away. You can also soak the piece in vinegar for about 20 minutes before cleaning it. When taking off your bronze jewellery after wearing it, wipe the piece clean with a soft cloth before storing it. This will help remove any traces of oils from your skin. You can keep your jewellery piece in its original bag to slow down the formation of patina.

SILVER - Clean your silver jewellery with a mild soap and water solution, then pat dry it with a soft cloth. For more stubborn dirt, use a cleaner designed for silver use. If your silver jewellery has tarnished, you can use a tarnish-removing polishing cream to remove the black coating. For persistent tarnish, you may also use a silver cleaning dip. Line a glass container with aluminium foil, pour some hot water and add one or two tablespoons of salt and baking soda. Leave your silver piece in the dip for about five minutes, then rinse it with water and dry it using a soft cloth. Don’t use toothpaste to clean your silver jewellery as it can be too abrasive and cause damage. Don’t wear your silver jewellery in chlorinated water or when working with household chemicals. Store your jewellery piece in a cool, dry place, preferably in its original bag or wrapped in a soft piece of felt to slow down tarnishing