CARE GUIDE
We take great care in designing and crafting pieces of jewelry you can wear and enjoy daily. However, it goes without saying that jewelry, like ourselves, need special attention to stay flawless. As a simple rule of thumb, we always suggest that jewelry should be the last thing you put on before leaving the house, and the first thing you take off when you get home.
How often should you clean your jewelry?
This is a big one for us. You wouldn't wear the same t-shirt the next day without cleaning it, right? We believe the same should be said for your jewlery. Just a light polish will do the trick, depending on what your jewels are made of.
Storage.
Are you guilty of leaving your jewels lying on the bathroom vanity? Or perhaps in a pile on your bedside table? It is very important to store your pieces in a place with low airflow, and low humidity. More airflow = more chance for oxidization. More oxidization = tarnish! We recommend keeping your Pachulah jewelry kept in the gift box it came with. The little fiberous inserts are actually anti-tarnishing and they won't absorb any moisture.
A little about Gold filled.
Wearing gold fill (or gold filled - same thing) jewelry is definitely the next best thing compared to solid gold. We are confident and proud that we offer only the best gold filled products that can last you a lifetime. However, can and will are very different. The fact is that many different variables are involved in keeping your gold filled jewelry in pristine condition.
Depending on what kind of lifestyle you live and how you treat your jewels can greatly affect the longevity of your pieces. We've seen customers dawn the same piece year after year and their jewelry still looks brand new. Where another customer with the same piece, has it looking old in just a few short months. This is why we came up with a list of preventative measures to help you keep your jewels looking beautiful for a long time to come.
Everyones body chemistry is different. The amout we perspire and the oils that your skin produces may have an impact on jewels; some skin types more than others. Many of us also come into contact with harmful chemicals and products in our everyday atmosphere (that we may or may not even realize) and these can affect the metal. Things such as sunscreen, makeup, hairspray, perfume, lotions, cause buildup. This build up makes your pieces look gunky and you lose the pretty sparkle. This build up also puts extra weight on your jewelry, which can cause it to break over time. Removing this through cleaning will usually bring your jewelry back to life. This, however can depend on how long something stays on your jewelry. The longer something harmful stays on the jewelry, the more damage it causes.
- Remove your jewelry when performing tasks. Exposing your alloys to household cleaning products and fluids can tarnish or ruin the patina. These tasks include working out, cleaning the kitchen & bathroom, cooking, gardening, etc.
- Put jewelry on last when getting ready. Cosmetics, creams, and perfumes can contain products that will damage your jewelry. Putting jewelry on last will limit this exposure, therefore reducing potential damage.
- Don't mix sports and jewelry. Though looking good at the gym is always a plus, it's best to refrain from wearing your special pieces while doing intensive exercise. Not only do you risk breakage, but the sweat and oils you produce will stick to your jewelry and create a build-up of dirt on the alloy.
- Remove your jewelry before getting in the shower. Though most of our pieces are water friendly, it is wise to refrain from washing yourself with jewelry on. As soap scum creates a film on the alloy metal, it will make the jewelry look dull or dirty.
Now that we've looked at a few do's and don'ts of wearing jewelry, here's some insight of how to clean your pieces based on their constitution.
Gold fill:
The best thing to keep your gold filled jewelry sparkling and lasting is to clean it with warm water, and use a soft toothbrush to very gently scrub out the build up. Immediately after cleaning, use a soft cloth or polishing cloth to dry it. Though many believe that cleansing products for jewelry can be beneficial, we've found that some chemicals in these fluids are abrasive to the alloy and can cause tarnishing. Keep it simple, and shine often. To keep it looking as good as new, store it in a plastic zip lock or closed jewelry box after it has been cleaned and thoroughly dried.
Vermeil:
Refrain from wearing your vermeil pieces in water, and also avoid any cleansing products as the chemicals can strip the gold finish. We recommend to buff your vermeil jewelry very gently with a dry soft cloth to maintain its shine and colour. Remember to frequently rotate the cloth when polishing, as to not rub in dirt you just removed. Also, make an effort to keep your vermeil pieces in air tight boxes or bags, as this reduces exposure to oxygen which in turn lessens the possibility of the metal becoming oxidized.
Gold plated:
As with our vermeils and gold fills, we encourage you to buff your jewelry gently with a soft cloth after every use, as dirt and dust can accumulate when out and about. If your piece needs extra shine, don't be afraid of a little warm water however, stay away from chemical cleaning products. We do not recommend cleaning your gold plated jewelry often with warm water, as this will eventually wear the plating down.
Sterling silver:
Similarly, use a soft cloth for shine. It's important to note however, that when cleaning sterling silver you should buff it gently, and follow the grain of the piece. Also, avoid polishing pieces that are intentionally oxidized, as this will loosen the metal further and cause it to tarnish.
Brass:
A natural way to clean your brass pieces is with half a cup of vinegar, 1 tsp salt and add flour until it becomes a paste. Rub the paste into the brass and rinse in warm water, buff until completely dry. Another easy and natural method is ketchup. Just plop your favorite condiment on the brass and leave for 15 minutes. Wash away the ketchup and buff dry. Brand new.
For every piece of jewelry you have, you should do your best to store them separately, preferably on fabric, in an air tight bag or box. This will not only protect them from dust and dirt, but will also save them from getting tangled with each other, tarnishing due to a corrosive surface, and unwanted oxidization.