metal care
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Keep ALL jewelry metals
out of chlorine pools, hot tubs & saltwater.
This includes the metals I use in my work:
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Sterling Silver, Copper, Bronze
( and a small amount of Gold ) ​
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It's important to know that the harsh chemicals found in household cleaning products, hand sanitizer and some lotions and cosmetics can eventually degrade both the metals and gemstones in your jewelry.
In general, apply lotion and hand sanitizer a few minutes before wearing.
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Here is a brief look at the metals I use, why I choose them and how to care for them:
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​ARGENTIUM STERLING SILVER .940
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Argentium Sterling Silver is a modern alloy that's purer and more hypoallergenic than traditional sterling silver.
You may never need to polish it. Some of it's properties include:
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Greater Purity: Contains more pure silver than traditional .925 sterling silver.
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High Tarnish Resistance: Stays bright longer and is often described as "low maintenance" Naturally more radiant than platinum, white gold, or standard sterling silver.
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Hypoallergenic: Completely nickel-free and suitable for those with metal sensitivities.
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Ethically Sourced: Made from 100% recycled silver, supporting environmentally responsible practices.
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Increased Durability: Stronger and harder than traditional sterling, providing better resistance to daily wear and scratches.
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​​COPPER & BRONZE
For centuries, Copper and Bronze have been cherished across cultures for their unique properties and historical significance. These metals will oxidize to rich, dark colors and tones naturally over time. You may prefer this look to a brighter one.
Much of my work is given a patina that emulates an “aged” look and has more of a satin rather than high shine finish.
If you wear your jewelry often ( especially as in a sterling silver ring ) the natural friction will “polish” the ring.
For some of my clients, this can occur when wearing a copper and bronze ring as well.
For a high shine finish ( and for general cleaning )
I recommend these ALTERNATIVES to harsh polishing compounds:
Baking soda (with water to form a paste) is a gentle abrasive. For clients concerned about the "special chemical cleansing agents" impregnated in most Polishing Cloths, baking soda offers a non-toxic alternative. If you prefer the convenience of a cloth, I suggest looking for non-toxic jewelry cloth.
Frequent Soap & Water: Washing the piece with a non-citrus, mild dish soap such as DAWN or SEVENTH GENERATION for shine and to remove oils and skin acids is the most "natural" routine.
Dry the piece thoroughly after washing...this step is especially important when wearing Pure Copper or Bronze.
Keep a designated soft cloth or micro-fiber cloth for buffing your piece after you clean it.
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WHEN WEARING unsealed copper, bronze, sterling silver or copper alloyed golds ( I use 14 & 18k gold ) close to the skin, as in a ring, the copper can react to environmental factors combined with an individual’s body chemistry.
For example, if your skin ph. tends to be more on the acidic side than the alkaline side (some people report that this may have to do with a stressful or particularly hot day!) or if you have worn your ring in a salt water bath, you may see a green or bluish skin discoloration where the metal meets the skin.
As far as I know, this is not harmful ( not an allergic reaction ) and can be easily washed off with soap and water or be absorbed by your body overnight.
Some people report that simply keeping their metal clean prevents any skin discoloration.
Many people experience no discoloration.
SEALING your metal with a jewelry-grade sealant is an option if you experience discoloration.
I generally prefer NOT to coat the pieces that I make (unless someone asks me to) because many people prefer the bare skin to metal contact.
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