Copyright 2010 Marilynn Flynn - Tharsis Artworks
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SPACE ART PRINTS, JEWELRY, etc
- SHIPPING & PAYMENT INFO -
- RETURNS POLICY -
- HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR JEWELRY -
- INFORMATION ABOUT OUR FINE ART PRINTS -
- INFORMATION ON GEMSTONES & METEORITES -
- FAQ's -
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HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR JEWELRY
Preventing Tarnish on Sterling Silver
Just as iron rusts, Sterling Silver 'tarnishes' from the interaction of the metal with elements in our atmosphere. As silver tarnishes it will first appear to acquire a brassy color and eventually will turn black. Some people like the 'antiqued' look this gives to silver, others prefer to keep their silver shiny bright.
All of our Sterling jewelry comes packaged with a small anti-tarnish strip attached to the inside of the gift box lid to protect it from tarnish while in transit. After you have removed the jewelry from the gift box, the best way to prevent it from tarnishing is to keep it in an air-tight environment, such as a zip locked 'baggie' or a tightly closed jewelry chest. Placing an anti-tarnish strip where you store your jewelry will also help keep it shiny for a longer time. You can purchase your own anti-tarnish strips from jewelry stores or online.
Cleaning Tarnish from Sterling Silver & Gemstone Jewelry
Cleaning tarnished silver on a piece of jewelry that also contains gemstones or other components requires a different method than cleaning pieces that are all silver. Liquid 'dips', toothpaste, ultrasonic cleaning devices, or paste tarnish removers will not harm the Sterling components of your piece, but they WILL damage Gemstones or Meteorites! If you wish to clean tarnish from a mixed piece, the best method is to gently polish the silver parts with a special cloth called a 'sunshine' or 'moonshine' cloth. These are soft flannel cloths impregnated with a gentle cleaning formula, and are available at jewelry stores or online. When cleaning sterling compoments, take care not to apply too much pressure as the metal is soft and can be easily bent.
To Give Jewelry A General Cleaning
If your jewelry just needs a bit of sprucing up, you can gently polish it with a soft dry or damp cloth, such as flannel, a towel or those little cloths used for cleaning eyeglasses. If you need to remove more stubborn dirt or oils, rinse your jewelry for a few minutes in a solution of warm water with a couple of drops of a mild dishwashing liquid. Do not add ammonia or other harsh chemical cleaners. We do not recommend long soaking as some gemstones are porous and will absorb the water. If there is badly embedded grime use a soft-bristled tooth or fingernail brush to gently clean the piece. Some gemstones can be scratched, so when in doubt - rub, don't scrub! Avoid tugging on the stringing wire,beaded pins or drops and be particularly careful cleaning around the clasp area so as not to bend it out of shape - which could result in its failure to clasp later. Earrings are particularly fragile as they are often made with smaller components that can be easily bent. Give the piece a final rinse with clear water and dry gently with a soft cloth.
Note: Be sure to dry meteorites thoroughly, as their iron compoments can make them prone to rust !!!