Just as other precious metals do, sterling silver will oxidize over time. Tarnishing is a natural process caused by oxidation. Tarnish does not damage the silver and can easily be removed by rubbing the piece gently with a soft, treated polishing cloth. If used regularly, a polishing cloth can keep tarnish from building up. If you wear your sterling pieces regularly, your body oils help reduce tarnishing. Take care in polishing the Swarovski crystals on your bracelet. A tarnish cloth can remove the AB coating on some crystals.
Clean with mild soap and water solution, allow water to bead up and pat dry with a soft cloth. If the piece contains sterling, you can polish with a polishing cloth. DON'T rub silver with anything other than a polishing cloth or fine piece of felt. The use of tissue paper or paper towels can cause scratches due to the fibers in these products. Professional Polishing Cloths may be purchased for only $4.00. This is an inexpensive item that will keep your bling looking like the fine piece of jewelry it is. We highly recommend purchasing one with your order.
For more stubborn dirt, use a jewelry cleaner labeled for silver use is appropriate. But be careful, DO NOT use tarnish-removing dips on pieces that have decorative oxidation. For example, letter beads and Bali Silver pieces have oxidation in the grooves to produce an antique look. Using dips may remove the tarnish that gives your piece dimension. Never use silver cleaners on pearls or semi-precious stones (like garnet or amethyst) as the stone may lose its luster.
Do not wear your piece while bathing, swimming, doing dishes, cleaning with chemicals, or anything else where the jewelry would come into contact with abrasive soaps or chemicals.
When you are not wearing your silver pieces, store silver in a cool, dry area. Preferably in a tarnish-preventative bag, or wrapped in a soft piece of felt or cloth. Store jewelry pieces individually so that they do not rub together and scratch. DON'T expose to air and light when storing, this will cause silver to tarnish.
We recommend that you do not sleep with your jewelry on because this may cause unnecessary stress on the components. Depending on your lifestyle and the stress caused to your jewelry on a daily basis, we recommend having bracelets periodically restrung to prevent breakage.
NEVER wear sterling silver in chlorine water.
POLYMER CLAY BEADS
Even though these beautiful beads are baked and glazed if they have pieces protruding from or attached to them they are VERY fragile. We recommend they only be worn for decorative purposes or worn with EXTREME caution as we cannot insure that they will not be broken by your child. Round polymers and ones that are all one piece should stand up fine to everyday use.
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