Metals and Jewelry Care - Minimalist Everyday Jewelry

Jewelry Care

Maximize the lifetime of your pieces

Good Care Practices

To keep your jewelry lasting for years, refrain from wearing it to bed, the gym, or during physical activities.
Never take your jewelry in the pool and remove it before using any cleaning products or sulfur-based skin care.
Keep all jewelry away from chemicals as this may discolor and weaken them.
If your jewelry ever breaks let us know and we will happily fix it for you!

What is gold fill?

Durable: At the core of gold fill is high-quality jewelers’ brass, which is then bonded to at least 5% 14K gold (as regulated).
Hypoallergenic: Because gold fill does not use any nickel it is hypoallergenic and a great affordable option for those sensitive to metals.
Slow/non-tarnish: Gold in general is a great metal because it is extremely slow to tarnish and when it does it’s easily cleaned.
Waterproof: you can wear your gold fill jewelry in the shower or ocean without worrying about it turning your skin green! As long as your jewelry never comes into contact with chemicals (like those put in pools) and is cleaned regularly it will stay beautiful.
Lifespan: With proper care and storage, gold fill can last for 5+ years. For daily wear expect to get 2-4 years out of your gold fill jewelry before you start to notice the gold rubbing away.

How do I care for gold fill?

It’s always a good idea to rinse off your jewelry if you wear it in the ocean to clean any residual salt off.
If your gold jewelry begins to dull/tarnish use warm water, dish soap, and a toothbrush to clean and shine it.
Never subject any jewelry to harsh chemicals found in pools, cleaning products, and some personal hygiene products. This can discolor and strip the jewelry, leaving a darkened appearance.
Store jewelry in a clean dry place when not wearing it

What is sterling silver?

Make up: Sterling silver is about 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper, brass, or sometimes nickel.
Allergenic: Sterling silver can sometimes have trace amounts of nickel and is not a good option if you are sensitive to certain metals like nickel.
Tarnishes: Because sterling silver is an alloy it tends to tarnish. This means the silver will go from bright and shiny to a darker silver color which can be remedied by polishing. It will never rub off on your skin or turn it green.
Waterproof: Like gold fill, sterling silver is waterproof and not harmed by fresh and usually saltwater. Never wear sterling silver in the pool. Always allow your jewelry to fully dry before putting it in an airtight container.
Lifespan: With proper care and storage sterling silver will last a lifetime and more.

How do I care for sterling silver?

To slow the tarnishing process, keep your jewelry in a baggie or other airtight container when not wearing it.
Use a polishing cloth or paste to carefully rub your jewelry to bring back some of its shine if it has tarnished.
Never wear your silver jewelry in the poor or around chemicals.

What is 14K gold?

Makeup: 14K solid gold is 58.3% gold and 41.7% other metals. Because of this, 14K yellow gold has a more muted yellow tone. The mixture of other metals with the gold makes it more durable and affordable—a win win!
Allergenic: 14k yellow and rose gold are great options if you have a nickel allergy. Unfortuanely 14k white gold can have trace amounts of nickel.
Tarnish: Because 14k gold is an alloy, it can tarnish, but is easily remedied by using a polishing cloth as well as proper storage
Waterproof: 14k gold will never turn your skin green when it comes into contact with water
Lifespan: With proper care and storage, 14k gold can last a lifetime and more. 14k gold is a great heirloom metal that can be passed down for generations.

How do I care for 14k gold

To clean solid gold jewelry, use a toothbrush, mild soap (we like Dawn dish soap), and warm water. You can also use a jewelry polishing cloth to bring its shine back to life.
Never wear your jewelry in the pool as the chemicals can cause the metal to become brittle. Other places we don't recommend wearing your jewelry: the gym, beach (you don't want to lose it), or any rigorous physical activity.

How to care for various stones

Most stones are okay in water. Turquoise and Natural Opal are porous and should not be subject to any liquids. This includes perfume so they should be the last thing you put on and first thing you take off at the end of the day.
If you start to notice darkness around the hole of a stone this is skin cells and dirt that have built up. Use a toothbrush and water to carefully clean your jewelry.
For opaque stones like diamonds and moissanite clean them with a toothbrush and dawn dishsoap to bring back their sparkle