Jewelry Care
Your Sarah Pardee Jewelry has been made with great care and attention, and with proper care it will last for many years (or lifetimes)!
I recommend removing your jewelry before bathing, swimming, exercising or doing activities that may cause damage; and before applying moisturizers and fragrances. When not being worn, store your jewelry in an airtight container in a dry, safe place. Sterling silver, bronze, brass, and 14k gold-fill will naturally tarnish over time. This natural patina can be a beautiful thing! However, if you'd like to brighten up your piece, here are some recommendations for each type of metal. In general, I don't recommend harsh commercial polishers as they can alter the finish of the metal and can damage some stones. I recommend cleaning your jewelry over a bowl or counter, not in the sink- you don’t want to drop it down the drain!
Your jewelry will develop scratches and signs of wear over time, which I think adds to its character and story, but if it needs a polish or if you’d like to add a fresh matte finish, re-oxidize your silver, etc., we are happy to do that. Please get in touch for more information.
Gold
Gold will not tarnish, but it can get dirty. To clean, soak in warm water and mild soap. To polish, apply baking soda toothpaste or a paste made of lemon juice and baking soda, and brush with a soft cloth or an old toothbrush and rinse thoroughly with water. You can also use a polishing cloth, although be aware that if your piece has a matte finish, this will polish away the finish.
Silver
To clean, soak in warm water and mild soap. To polish away tarnish, apply baking soda toothpaste or a paste made of lemon juice and baking soda, and brush with a soft cloth or an old toothbrush and rinse thoroughly with water. You can also use a polishing cloth, although be aware that if your piece has a matte finish, this will polish away the finish.
Oxidized silver will develop highlights over time. Do not use commercial cleaners, or polishing cloths as they will remove the blackened finish. You can gently clean with warm, soapy water. We are happy to re-oxidize your piece. Please get in touch for details.
Bronze/Brass
Bronze and brass will also tarnish and darken over time. This happens much more quickly if it is exposed to heat and moisture, so if you want to avoid it keep your piece as dry as possible. Some people, depending on their personal pH balance, will experience a green coloring to the skin when it comes in contact with bronze or brass. This is caused by a reaction to the copper content in these metals and is completely harmless, but if it bothers you, you can apply clear nail polish to the inside of a ring or the back of a pendant. To clean, soak in warm water and mild soap. To polish, apply a baking soda toothpaste or a paste made of lemon juice and baking soda, and brush with a soft cloth or an old toothbrush and rinse thoroughly with water. You can also use a polishing cloth, although be aware that if your piece has a matte finish, this will polish away the finish.
14k Gold-fill
14k gold-fill is a thick layer of gold that has been fused to a brass core. It is about 100 times as thick as gold plating and won't rub off like gold plating does. However, it tends to tarnish slightly over time. Like the other metals, keep it dry. To clean, soak in warm water and mild soap. To polish, apply a baking soda toothpaste or a paste made of lemon juice and baking soda, and brush with a soft cloth or an old toothbrush and rinse thoroughly with water. You can also use a polishing cloth, although be aware that if your piece has a matte finish, this will polish away the finish. Be extra gentle when cleaning gold-fill jewelry to maintain the gold layer.
Sarah Pardee Jewelry is carefully made to withstand many years of normal wear. If for some reason, a piece breaks due to flaws in craftsmanship, we are happy to repair it within 1 year of purchase. We are not responsible for jewelry that has been mistreated, lost, or stolen. We are happy to repair jewelry for a small fee after the first year. Please email us for details.