Caring for your Jewelry
Over time, jewellery may dull from contact with detergents, moisturisers and other chemicals – ideally you would take it off as needed to protect it from such substances.
But what if your jewelry has become a bit dull and lacklustre? What if they are starting to lose their original shine? With the following TIPS from METALLON, your jewels will remain as new! (it's easier than you think!)
Wearing
We recommend removing your jewelry when you shower and swim (chlorinated or sea water) as moisture will damage your plating. It is nessesary to remove them what so ever before entering hot mineral baths especially sulfuric ones. Avoid spraying perfume and applying creams directly on your jewelry. This will ensure that your plating lasts for as long as possible. We also recommend removing your jewelry before going to bed or during a physical activity. While strong, some jewelry is still fine and delicate and will break or loose their form if pulled during vigorous activities.
Exposure to certain harsh chemicals or environments will result in compromising the integrity of your jewelry. This includes, but is not limited to the following: perspiration, perfumes, cleaning agents, chlorine, salt water, and silver polish.
Storage
Jewellery should be stored away from direct sunlight and heat, in a protective (lined) jewellery box or a tarnish-resistant pouch. It can also be stored in a plastic zip lock bag made of polyethylene. Never use polyvinyl plastic bags, such as trash can liners, as they contain sulphur compounds, or rubber containers which will make sterling silver tarnish faster and possibly turn black. Do not store your jewelry in the bathroom or any other humid places.
Baking Soda
Dip your jewel in a bowl of lukewarm water, mixed with a small amount of mild soap (or kitchen detergent). Polish it with a soft toothbrush and rinse with running lukewarm water. If the dirt is hard to remove, soak the jewelry in clean water. Pat the jewel dry with a soft, fibre free cloth or use hairdryer. Do not use paper towels, as they could scratch your jewellery.
we recommend
Soapy water
To remove built-up tarnish from your silver, make a thick paste with 1/4 cup baking soda and 2 tablespoons water. Apply with a damp sponge and gently rub, rinse, and buff dry. Heavily tarnished pieces may need to soak a little longer.
Aluminum foil
Line a small bowl with aluminum foil. Fill the bowl with hot water and mix in one tablespoon of bleach-free powdered laundry detergent (not liquid), like Tide. Put the jewelry in the solution and let it soak for one minute. Rinse well and air-dry. This procedure makes use of the chemical process known as ion exchange, which can also be used to clean silverware.
Ammoniac
Place your jewel in a bowl containing 3 parts lukewarm water and 1 part ammoniac. Leave to soak for half an hour and polish your jewel with a soft toothbrush afterwards. Rinse with clear water and let dry.
Note: Do not use this technique with jewelry containing Pearls, as it could damage their finish or loosen any glue.
CLEANING METHODS
What if you would rather not clean your gold and diamonds by yourself or if you don’t have the time for it? You can always choose to have your jewels cleaned professionally.
At METALLON we take care of your precious jewelry at NO charge if you bear the shipping costs for delivery (towards our workshop and return back to you). Contact us to learn more at info@metallon.gr
materials we use
PRECIOUS METALS
14k & 18k Solid Gold
Solid gold is a precious metal that will not oxidize or discolor since it is the least reactive metal. The 14k alloy gives our pieces their beautiful, subtle hue. It is also an active lifestyle’s best friend; it scratches less and doesn’t bend or wear out as easily as 18k.
Gold is used in 14kt & 18kt, where 14kt contains less pure gold (58,5%), than 18Ct gold which contains (75% pure gold), and is therefore more expensive. The difference in both are made up of metal alloys. Colours include Rose/Red Gold, Yellow Gold and White gold.
Brightness preservation
Even something as strong as 14k solid gold deserves some loving. To maintain its beauty, scrub lightly with a toothbrush mild soap and warm water.
Cleaning & Care
To polish gold jewelry, cover with a light coating of baking soda, pour a bit of vinegar over it, and rinse clean.
Extra attention
You will need to be careful with white gold jewellery, because, white gold is made by mixing gold with other materials to form an alloy. On top of that, a platinum or rhodium layer is applied to give your white golden ring a brilliant sparkle. If you rub too hard, that layer could be damaged.
Sterling silver 925°
925° Sterling Silver is an alloy made of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% copper. We plate our silver jewelry in rhodium, which gives it extra shine and durability. Rhodium is one of the costliest precious metals due to its rarity.
Brightness preservation
If your sterling silver 925° jewellery has become dull, a silver-polishing cloth is a great tool to make it shine again. However, it will not remove scratches.
Cleaning & Care
Sterling silver and solid gold pieces can be cleaned using a polishing cloth or ideally a jewellery cleansing solution. You can use all methods mentioned above.
Note: Do not use tissue paper or paper towels.
Extra attention
H2O sensitive. Avoid water when wearing your piece, because over time the sterling silver will oxidize. However, the oils in your skin help keep sterling silver from oxidizing faster. So, wear often, and keep your piece in your pouches to keep oxygen at bay.
Plating (Yellow Gold, Rose Gold)
Colour on a silver jewel is achieved by using plating method which is depositing a thin layer of gold onto the surface of another metal by chemical or electrochemical plating. To achieve that gold colour we dip our Solid Silver 925° jewels into a chemical solution containing gold, and with the help of electric current, the ions of gold are applying to a thin layer of gold metal onto the silver surface of the jewel.
Plating is not permanent, as it is a thin layer of metal coating the sterling silver. It does wear off over time, on multiple variables from chemical products used for skincare, level of perspiration or even your natural skin PH. The piece will then go back to looking silver and can be re-plated anytime.
Gold plated pieces are, by default, more fragile and liable to lose their colour over time. The speed at which the gold plating fades will depend mostly on usage. For this reason, it is particularly important to take special care of your gold plated jewelry.
Brightness preservation
To ensure the gold plated does not damage, do not expose the jewelry to water, perfumes, alcohol or any other substances. If exposed to any of the above the gold plated may tarnish and turn silver. Sweat and water, no thank you! Before exercising or showering, remove your plated jewelry. Please note that with all plated jewellery over time the top metal will wear away. Therefore, plated pieces may need to be re-plated every now and then. Contact us to give you more information about our personalised plating service at info@metallon.gr
Cleaning & Care
If it does dull then even a quick buff with a soft cloth or jewellery cloth should brighten it up. Use a soft toothbrush with jewellery cleaner or dishwashing liquid and warm water to gently wash your jewellery pieces. Dry with a soft cloth. IMPORTANT: Gold plated jewelry requires more care. Using your toothbrush very intensely may cause the gold plating to fade away, therefore it is very important that you do this process very carefully to avoid the gold plating from wearing away.
Oxidised
Oxidation is a common method of adding character to silver jewelry by applying an oxidation factor on the surface. Although pure silver doesn’t subject to oxidation, the copper contained in the alloy does, creating a black color on the surface. Oxidation isn’t as permanent as plating, but it can be easily redone by a technician.
Cleaning & Care
Cleaning of oxidised jewelry must be made gently only with soap and water or the oxidation will wear off.
Enamel
The original enamel is glass in powder form and is used to apply paint to jewelry. It is a material that melts at temperatures ranging from 700 to 980 degrees Celsius and is either baked in a kiln or heated over a fire. It has quality and durability over time and weather conditions and has been used in jewelry for a long time. In recent years, however, it has become increasingly common to use alternative materials such as polymerized resins. Resins have a wide range of colors and are relatively easier to apply.
Brightness preservation
We recommend to avoid sun & salt water exposure of enamel jewelry for a long time, as it is possible to alter the glossy texture and color of the enamel.
materials we use
DIAMONDS,GEMSTONES & FRESHWATER PEARLS
Diamonds
We refer to the 4 C’s when looking to buy a diamond. A departure point for evaluating a diamond’s value lies within these 4 factors: Cut, Colour, Clarity and Carat-weight.
Diamonds are one of the hardest natural substances found on earth. Our high-quality diamonds (SI 1-2 clarity) are ethically sourced from our suppliers in accordance with the Kimberley Process, therefore conflict-free and follow socially responsible practices. Read more about diamonds here.
Brightness preservation
Diamonds does not loose their brightness by default but they may look like fading after a period of time pass wearing them. That occurs because of the potentaly dirt that accumulates beneith the stone. With the use of the above mentioned methods of cleaning, they can shine as new.
Cleaning & Care
Even diamonds have their kryptonite. They may be the hardest natural substance but can still suffer from chips & small fractures from sharp blows. Use warm soapy liquid and a toothbrush, rinsing the stone and setting afterward to ensure there is no residue.
You may bring your diamond jewelry to check their prongs and settings from time to time in order to prevent them from being damaged or lost.
Storage
It is best to keep your diamond jewellery separate. As diamonds are the hardest gemstones in the world, a diamond can only be damaged by another diamond. To ensure they stay scratch-free, you should keep them in their original box, a soft pouch or an especially designed jewellery box. This way you also automatically protect your precious jewellery with rubies, sapphires, emeralds or other gemstones.
Gemstones
When choosing a gemstone for a piece of jewellery it is very important to know what function the jewellery piece will have. Precious gemstones are consider to be the Sapphires, Rubies and Emeralds. Semi-precious gemstones are all the rest that origin from mineral crystals (like tourmaline and Aqua Marin) or a rock (like Lapis Lazuli and Opal) or organic materials (like Amber and Pearl). They are all available in a wide variety of different colours, shapes and qualities.
All of our gemstones are genuine mineral stones, highly valued for their beauty, longevity, and rarity. We use a variety of precious and semi-precious stones, from Sapphires (AAA Quality) to Citrine. These are either cabochon stones that are cut like smooth domes or faceted stones which are the flat faces on geometric shapes. Zircons are man made synthetic gemstones. Their common use is due to their great ratio between cost and their excellent qualities like hardness & brightness. They come in a variety of colors and their similar image with diamonds ranks them amongst the first substitute of precious stones in jewelry making.
Brightness preservation
Try to keep the gems away from direct sunlight as many gems as amethyst, citrine and smoky quartz can fade in the sun. Opals also require special care. Do not leave your opal jewel for long in direct sunlight as this may cause drying of water in the stone which can result in blur or discoloration.
Always try to keep gems from heat.
Cleaning & Care
To keep gemstones clean and shiny, use warm soapy water and a soft brush. Avoid chemicals or excessive temperatures when cleaning.
Storage
Always store your precious gems separately so that harder stones do not scratch the softer. If possible, store each piece of jewelry in a separate box or jewelry pouch. Soft stones such as lapis lazuli, malachite, turquoise, amber and opals can easily be scratched by needles and edges of other jewelry. To protect those precious gems keep them wrapped in jeweler's paper and store them separately.
Pearls
Pearls are organic gemstones that with care and attention may last a lifetime. We use cultured or farmed pearls from oysters & freshwater mussels that we carefully select for our pieces. Pearls are sensitive in nature, so don’t forget to treat them with love.
Brightness preservation
Make sure they are the last thing you put on before going out and the first thing you take off when you come home. Avoid direct contact with chemicals found in perfume or other cosmetics and avoid wearing them in direct sunlight. Pearls are surrounded by thin layers of nacre that is kept together by conchine. It’s an organic material that dries out when exposed to high temperatures for a long period of time. That, in return, results in pearl discoloration and the loss of luster.
Cleaning & Care
Clean the pearls very gently using a soft piece of white cotton cloth dampened in lukewarm water. Don’t be tempted to pop the necklace or bracelet in the water as that might cause the silk thread to stretch and weaken. If that itself isn’t enough, add a bit of soap. As you gently wipe each pearl you might be surprised by how much dirt comes off!
Then softly wipe them a second time with a damp piece of white cotton. It is important to do it thoroughly to ensure that you have removed all the soap. Otherwise, pearls might lose their luster.
Finally, very gently dry each pearl using a soft piece of white cotton. Close the clasp and lay the necklace (or a bracelet) on a soft towel until it is completely dry. Get into the habit of closing the clasp each time to ensure it doesn’t accidentally scratch the pearls. Letting the pearls dry naturally will help the silk thread to regain its elasticity.
Storage
Storing your pearls carefully will prevent them from getting dusty or damaged. These gemstones need to be stored flat and never in a tangle. It’s best to keep them separately in a cloth-lined box. Some jewelers use velvet, others – chamois leather or silk. Have in mind that pearls do need to ‘breathe’ so the box shouldn’t be airtight. These gemstones benefit from a little moisture which is why it’s essential to wear them regularly. Therefore, don’t keep them in a tightly wrapped plastic bag. Jewelry racks and trees are popular for storing necklaces and bracelets. However, they are not suitable for pearl jewelry since they might stretch the silk thread.
ALLERGIES & REACTIONS
Some people may develop a rash like allergic reaction to a ring over time. This may be due to hormonal changes, weather changes (sweat) or the metal alloy ie. nickel. Rhodium or gold plating may help to alleviate allergies as it creates a protective layer between the alloy and skin. METALLON uses nickel free gold.
We advice you to avoid wearing jewelry made with cheap metals in order to avoid allergies or irritations, keep in mind they last shorter and you can always make a design you liked with real materials with us!
SERVICES OFFERED
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FREE cleaning service
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Re-polishing of your jewelry - removal of deep scratches
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Re-sizing Gold and Silver rings
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Fixing broken jewelry
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Fixing broken chains
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Restoring old jewelry
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Personalised plating service
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Resetting of diamonds, zircons and other gemstones
If your jewellery has lost its gold tone before you expected it to or you just want to refresh your beloved jewelry contact us and we will give you more information about our services, with which you will be able to make your pieces shine again like they did when you bought them.
Please be advised that all work is dependent on the state of the jewellery.
METALLON experts will advise you on the best way forward, based on the condition of specific items.