The sterling silver, copper, and brass in my work are not sealed in wax or lacquer. Because I choose to leave the metal uncoated, your jewelry will change in appearance over time. I encourage you to expect and embrace the patina that comes with love and age.

However, exposure to sea water, hot tubs, swimming pools, perfume, fancy lotions, ammonia, bleach, and other household chemicals and environments will tarnish your jewelry, sometimes very suddenly and drastically. Egads, you say. Now you tell me.

Don’t fret.

To brighten tarnished sterling silver, copper, or brass jewelry I suggest the following:

Gently rub with a very fine steel wool #0000 or an equivalent fiber finishing pad (these can be found at your local hardware store). Or use a paste made with baking soda or Bon Ami and water. Simply hold the piece between your thumb and forefinger and rub the paste on the piece until you achieve the desired luster.

After removing tarnish, I recommend washing your jewelry with Ivory bar soap or blue Dawn dishwashing soap and water. I find that soaps containing citrus will often leave spots, so I avoid those.

Dry with a clean soft cloth.

Now, if you desire a high shine, use a polishing cloth or polishing pad.

You may choose to rub a little bit of mineral oil on the piece to protect and help slow the natural oxidation process. Jojoba oil also works nicely.

Struggling? Contact me. I’ll be able to offer advice specific to your piece. Or we can make other arrangements.

It makes me happy to see jewelry I’ve made that needs a good cleaning or adjusting or tweaking or repair! Because that means it’s been worn, out on adventures with you or a loved one :)

Thank you for appreciating the time and care that goes into hand-forging, forming and finishing each of these tiny little works. I hope your jewelry brings you years of contentment and compliments.

Sincerely,
Gwendolyn