Care instructions
Remember, with proper care and knowledge, your pieces can last a lifetime.
STERLING SILVER
1. KNOW THE DIGITS
Those sterling silver digits, we mean! Here's a good rule of thumb. If your goods have a rating of .950, they need consistent polishing. If they have a rating of .925, the material is sturdier and doesn't need as much cleaning.
All of Casa Lovina's sterling silver jewelry is .925 and should require a little less work than the silver you may have purchased elsewhere.
If you're totally unsure or there is no label in view, check with your jeweler. This is one of the reasons we strongly advocate checking digits. It guarantees legitimate silver (and sadly, there is a lot of fake jewelry out there).
2. DRY SILVER IS HAPPY SILVER
Interesting fact: pure water by itself doesn't damage sterling silver, but most of the water we're exposed to in our daily lives is not purified. Chemicals and contaminants in the water can result in tarnished and dull looking silver, so it's best to know what's what when it comes to water.
3. MAINTAIN PROPER STORAGE
If you leave a fancy car out in the rain, what happens? It gets dirty! The similar principle applies to all jewelry type care.
You need appropriate storage for your stunning pieces. And, you need to be diligent about maintenance.
Air exposure can wreck havoc by tarnishing your delicate silver. Don't just leave it lying on your nightstand or in an open jewelry chest.
And, don't just leave it in your purse or drawer!
It's best to store silver in individual, air-tight bags with anti-tarnish properties. These types of bags keep air exposure out, and keep the shininess and brilliance intact. Dollarstore sells those small ziplock bags to store your jewelry.
Unclasp and unhook the jewelry to avoid potential scratching. Do NOT bunch several pieces in the same bag to save time or space.
This can create tangling, scratching, tarnish, and that is exactly what we are trying to avoid here!
For additional preventative efforts, silica gel packets provide anti-tarnish protection. Throw one in each bag for extra care.
Finally, if you are traveling with your jewelry (because we know you want to look glamorous when in paradise), be sure to use individual air-tight bags or special case for protection! The last issue you want to deal with on vacation is scratched-up jewelry, right?
4. KNOW WHEN TO TAKE OFF YOUR JEWELRY
Yes, we know how much you love your gorgeous ring, necklace or bracelet. And, we know it can be hard to take those babies on and off again. But, it's critical, and here's why :
Silver is a soft metal, any pull or preassure can alter or damage your silver jewelry.
Strong chemicals, sulfur, sweat and perspiration, chlorine, and harsh sunlight can tarnish and corrode the brilliant shine you love in your silver.
Don't take your chances. Preventative care is significantly easier than dealing with damaged jewelry!
It is optimal to remove jewelry during the following times:
Preventative care is ALWAYS easier than aftercare!
5. POLISH IT PRETTY
Silver is delicate, and, despite our best efforts, it can still get dirty. Fortunately, sterling silver care can be as easy as a fast rubdown.
To do this, use a simple microfiber cloth or special jewelry cloth (not paper towels or toilet paper) to clean your goods.
Focus on maintaining long up-and-down strokes to clean the jewelry. Be sure to use different parts of the cloth to avoid spreading any tarnish. Do not use circular motions here, as it can actually make the tarnish or dirt worse. Be sure to avoid polishing any part of the jewelry that is intentionally oxidized.
For more complex or tight, detailed areas, go in with a Q-tip. It'll get into every nook and cranny you need. And, that's it! Easy, right?
GOLD VERMEIL
Gold vermeil is an overlay of gold over a base of sterling silver and requires special care. To extend the life of your gold vermeil jewelry, remove when washing hands, showering, applying lotions or perfumes, using harsh cleansers, or working out. Always store your jewelry in a dry place, preferably in individual air-tight bags.
IMPORTANT! Do NOT use chemical jewelry cleansers or polishing cloths on gold vermeil jewelry.
Gold vermeil jewelry will fade to a warm silver or a light 10K gold colour. This is the nature of plated jewelry. The rate of wear depends on care, climate and individual body chemistry, and may vary greatly on a case by case basis.
As rings are worn on the hand, and are exposed to more frequent rubbing, they will often age more quickly than necklaces or earrings.
We do not offer re-plating of our gold vermeil designs and all sales of gold vermeil jewelry are final.
1. KNOW THE DIGITS
Those sterling silver digits, we mean! Here's a good rule of thumb. If your goods have a rating of .950, they need consistent polishing. If they have a rating of .925, the material is sturdier and doesn't need as much cleaning.
All of Casa Lovina's sterling silver jewelry is .925 and should require a little less work than the silver you may have purchased elsewhere.
If you're totally unsure or there is no label in view, check with your jeweler. This is one of the reasons we strongly advocate checking digits. It guarantees legitimate silver (and sadly, there is a lot of fake jewelry out there).
2. DRY SILVER IS HAPPY SILVER
Interesting fact: pure water by itself doesn't damage sterling silver, but most of the water we're exposed to in our daily lives is not purified. Chemicals and contaminants in the water can result in tarnished and dull looking silver, so it's best to know what's what when it comes to water.
- Shower. It's not a great idea to shower with your jewelry on, but once in a while isn't going to do any lasting damage. Just make sure to dry it after.
- Swimming Pool. Take your silver off. Chlorine is a pretty harsh chemical, so if you accidentally forget to remove your silver jewelry before hopping in, make sure to rinse and clean it afterward.
- Hot Tub. Same idea as the swimming pool, butthere's even more chlorine in the hot tub and the heat can accelerate the chemical reaction.
- Hot Springs. The sulfur in natural hot springs will wreak havoc on your silver. Unless you're going for that "dark oxidized" look, avoid at all costs.
- Bonus Tip: Chemicals in lotions and perfumes can also cause your jewelry to tarnish. Apply them first, let them dry, and then put your jewelry on. This alone can make a HUGE difference in your silver's luster.
3. MAINTAIN PROPER STORAGE
If you leave a fancy car out in the rain, what happens? It gets dirty! The similar principle applies to all jewelry type care.
You need appropriate storage for your stunning pieces. And, you need to be diligent about maintenance.
Air exposure can wreck havoc by tarnishing your delicate silver. Don't just leave it lying on your nightstand or in an open jewelry chest.
And, don't just leave it in your purse or drawer!
It's best to store silver in individual, air-tight bags with anti-tarnish properties. These types of bags keep air exposure out, and keep the shininess and brilliance intact. Dollarstore sells those small ziplock bags to store your jewelry.
Unclasp and unhook the jewelry to avoid potential scratching. Do NOT bunch several pieces in the same bag to save time or space.
This can create tangling, scratching, tarnish, and that is exactly what we are trying to avoid here!
For additional preventative efforts, silica gel packets provide anti-tarnish protection. Throw one in each bag for extra care.
Finally, if you are traveling with your jewelry (because we know you want to look glamorous when in paradise), be sure to use individual air-tight bags or special case for protection! The last issue you want to deal with on vacation is scratched-up jewelry, right?
4. KNOW WHEN TO TAKE OFF YOUR JEWELRY
Yes, we know how much you love your gorgeous ring, necklace or bracelet. And, we know it can be hard to take those babies on and off again. But, it's critical, and here's why :
Silver is a soft metal, any pull or preassure can alter or damage your silver jewelry.
Strong chemicals, sulfur, sweat and perspiration, chlorine, and harsh sunlight can tarnish and corrode the brilliant shine you love in your silver.
Don't take your chances. Preventative care is significantly easier than dealing with damaged jewelry!
It is optimal to remove jewelry during the following times:
- Household chores, such as dishes, laundry, and when using cleaning supplies
- When exercising, at the gym, or playing contact sports
- When showering or bathing
- Swimming, hot tubs, or saunas
- Very hot places (such as when lying out at the beach or pool)
- When getting ready (i.e: putting on lotion, makeup, hair products)
- Preparing, cooking, or eating foods that contain sulfur (this includes eggs and mayonnaise).
- Outside chores or tasks, such as gardening
Preventative care is ALWAYS easier than aftercare!
5. POLISH IT PRETTY
Silver is delicate, and, despite our best efforts, it can still get dirty. Fortunately, sterling silver care can be as easy as a fast rubdown.
To do this, use a simple microfiber cloth or special jewelry cloth (not paper towels or toilet paper) to clean your goods.
Focus on maintaining long up-and-down strokes to clean the jewelry. Be sure to use different parts of the cloth to avoid spreading any tarnish. Do not use circular motions here, as it can actually make the tarnish or dirt worse. Be sure to avoid polishing any part of the jewelry that is intentionally oxidized.
For more complex or tight, detailed areas, go in with a Q-tip. It'll get into every nook and cranny you need. And, that's it! Easy, right?
GOLD VERMEIL
Gold vermeil is an overlay of gold over a base of sterling silver and requires special care. To extend the life of your gold vermeil jewelry, remove when washing hands, showering, applying lotions or perfumes, using harsh cleansers, or working out. Always store your jewelry in a dry place, preferably in individual air-tight bags.
IMPORTANT! Do NOT use chemical jewelry cleansers or polishing cloths on gold vermeil jewelry.
Gold vermeil jewelry will fade to a warm silver or a light 10K gold colour. This is the nature of plated jewelry. The rate of wear depends on care, climate and individual body chemistry, and may vary greatly on a case by case basis.
As rings are worn on the hand, and are exposed to more frequent rubbing, they will often age more quickly than necklaces or earrings.
We do not offer re-plating of our gold vermeil designs and all sales of gold vermeil jewelry are final.
GOLD FILLED
Both of our 14K and 18K Gold-filled jewelry collections are water friendly. You are fine to shower in gold-filled jewelry or get it wet. I personally never have a problem with gold filled jewelry, I also have worn it in the water, sweating and have maintaned their color very well.
However, with that being said, there are strong elements or abrasive materials or products that might change or strip the layered of your gold-filled jewelry. Also every body chemistry is slightly different which means each person can react differently with metal and any jewelry worn on the body often accumulates other grease and grime from normal wear.
Gold-filled can be cleaned, but you should only need to occasionally. It rarely tarnishes. Tarnishing can happen under extreme circumstances (intense exposure to sulfide will do it).
Follow these cleaning instructions for the best results.
SUGGESTED CLEANING METHOD
- Mild soapy water and a toothbrush - a child's soft toothbrush and a mild soap is the perfect combination for cleaning golf-filled jewelry. The soap can remove residue or fingerprints from the item, and still leave it shiny and bright when it's done. Be sure the toothbrush is super soft or it may scratch your piece! (ONLY USE THIS CLEANING METHOD TO CLEAN CHAIN, NOT PENDANT)
- Soft cloth - using a clean, soft cotton cloth is an ideal way to polish your gold-filled pieces. A soft cloth (e.g: microfibre cloth) will not scratch the surface. There are treated jewelry polishing cloths, that work well; however, some chemicals are not recommended on gold-filled items so double check that they are safe to use. Do not leave chemicals on your gold-filled. Always rinse and polish again with a soft cloth to remove residue.
CARE INSTRUCTION
- Never wear your jewelry in salt water or chlorine (e.g: pool, hot tub, etc)
- Wear your lotion, and perfume first then wear your jewelry.
- Remove your jewelry when putting on anything strong, e.g: retinol, peels, glycolic acid, etc, or while cleaning the house using strong chemical cleaning products.
- Remove your jewelry before exercising and going to bed.
- Do not store gold-filled and sterling silver together.
- Do store them separately using air-tight pouches (small ziplock bags) when you are not wearing your jewelry.
- Never use abrasive products (e.g: jewelry dipped cleaning) to clean your 18K gold-filled jewelry.
- Only clean your gold-filled jewelry by using mild soap and water, and carefully brush with a soft bristle brush and use microfibre cloth to dry your jewelry.
WHAT IS GOLD BRASS ?
Gold Brass is an alloy created by mixing copper and zinc, the proportions are adjusted to create different brass applications and uses. Our gold brass jewelry contents 33% zinc with 67% copper.
Brass has a warm golden-yellow color providing a rich and inviting aesthetic. Brass is much less expensive than gold making it a popular alternative for gold jewelry. It offers a way to add some shine and sophistication to your wardrobe without making as high of an investment. Gold is a precious metal that is more rare and more valuable than brass.
Brass jewelry can mimic the look of gold especially when taken to a high polish but it is a more accessible option for people who may not be able to afford gold jewelry. Gold is also a much softer metal, making it a dream to work with, but, because of its softness, needs to be handled more carefully.
Brass has the integrity of being solid all the way through unlike gold-plated and gold filled jewelry. Gold-plated jewelry has to be handled extremely delicately since there is only a thin layer of gold on the surface. Gold plating will wear off with time and often has to be re-plated. Gold-filled jewelry has a thicker layer of gold over copper/brass that is mechanically bonded to the surface and therefore which has a higher level of integrity than gold-plated jewelry but from a jeweler's perspective, it doesn't allow for extreme workability like excessive filing, sanding, or soldering so its versitility is limited. When considering gold colored metal options for jewelry brass has the highest level of integrity while being the most affordable option.
Of course, it's important to keep in mind that brass jewelry will darken into patina antique looking over time.
Although some people love the time-worn patina it develops over time, with proper care and maintenance, you can keep your brass jewelry looking shiny and new.
How do you clean / remove residue from your gold brass jewelry?
How do you remove skin discoloration from brass jewelry?
First of all, there's no need to panic - you're not breaking out into a rash or having an allergic reaction, and you definitely don't need to toss your favorite ring into the garbage. The discolouration is not harmful for you. The discolouration is a chemical reaction cause by the copper, which makes up about 67% of brass.
When a ring discolour your skin finger, it doesn't necessarily mean that it's a cheap piece of jewelry. This is a common misconception - all metals oxidize at some point, regardless of the worth of the piece.
If you ever use a spin ring which is a mix metal of .925 sterling silver and brass/copper, you know excatly what I mean.
It is also a health indication to say that " your body is dehydrated and it's time to drink plent of liquid. " they go away after a few days.
It is important to stay hydrated, my friend!
There are a few ways you can remove the discoloration:
For stubborn residue we recommend BRASSO cleaner.
Make sure you shake the Brasso well before using, with a soft clean cloth, apply liquid and rub in a circular motion.
Once your whole pieces is covered, leave for a few minutes. Buff off with a new dry clean cloth to remove the remaining cleaner, buff to a shine and dry.
With proper care, your jewelry can last a while.
> Click here to read more about "Materials & Types of Jewelry" we have
Gold Brass is an alloy created by mixing copper and zinc, the proportions are adjusted to create different brass applications and uses. Our gold brass jewelry contents 33% zinc with 67% copper.
Brass has a warm golden-yellow color providing a rich and inviting aesthetic. Brass is much less expensive than gold making it a popular alternative for gold jewelry. It offers a way to add some shine and sophistication to your wardrobe without making as high of an investment. Gold is a precious metal that is more rare and more valuable than brass.
Brass jewelry can mimic the look of gold especially when taken to a high polish but it is a more accessible option for people who may not be able to afford gold jewelry. Gold is also a much softer metal, making it a dream to work with, but, because of its softness, needs to be handled more carefully.
Brass has the integrity of being solid all the way through unlike gold-plated and gold filled jewelry. Gold-plated jewelry has to be handled extremely delicately since there is only a thin layer of gold on the surface. Gold plating will wear off with time and often has to be re-plated. Gold-filled jewelry has a thicker layer of gold over copper/brass that is mechanically bonded to the surface and therefore which has a higher level of integrity than gold-plated jewelry but from a jeweler's perspective, it doesn't allow for extreme workability like excessive filing, sanding, or soldering so its versitility is limited. When considering gold colored metal options for jewelry brass has the highest level of integrity while being the most affordable option.
Of course, it's important to keep in mind that brass jewelry will darken into patina antique looking over time.
Although some people love the time-worn patina it develops over time, with proper care and maintenance, you can keep your brass jewelry looking shiny and new.
How do you clean / remove residue from your gold brass jewelry?
- Step 1: Mix 2/3 cup vinegar and 2/3 cup flour in a glass bowl.
- Step 2: Add 1/2 cup salt and stir.
- Step 3: Spread on darken patina metal. Wait 1 to 2 hours. Brush it off with soft tooth brush gently.
- Step 4: Rinse, dry and polish with a soft cloth and a dab of olive oil.
How do you remove skin discoloration from brass jewelry?
First of all, there's no need to panic - you're not breaking out into a rash or having an allergic reaction, and you definitely don't need to toss your favorite ring into the garbage. The discolouration is not harmful for you. The discolouration is a chemical reaction cause by the copper, which makes up about 67% of brass.
When a ring discolour your skin finger, it doesn't necessarily mean that it's a cheap piece of jewelry. This is a common misconception - all metals oxidize at some point, regardless of the worth of the piece.
If you ever use a spin ring which is a mix metal of .925 sterling silver and brass/copper, you know excatly what I mean.
It is also a health indication to say that " your body is dehydrated and it's time to drink plent of liquid. " they go away after a few days.
It is important to stay hydrated, my friend!
There are a few ways you can remove the discoloration:
- Use a mild soap and warm water to wash the skin thoroughly.
- Try to remove the patina with a jewelry cleaning cloth or brass polish.
- If that doesn't work, you can also use citric acid or vinegar to remove the discoloration. Apply the acid to the affected area and let it sit for a few minutes before washing it off.
For stubborn residue we recommend BRASSO cleaner.
Make sure you shake the Brasso well before using, with a soft clean cloth, apply liquid and rub in a circular motion.
Once your whole pieces is covered, leave for a few minutes. Buff off with a new dry clean cloth to remove the remaining cleaner, buff to a shine and dry.
With proper care, your jewelry can last a while.
> Click here to read more about "Materials & Types of Jewelry" we have
STRETCH BRACELET
- Always put your elastic bracelet on the right way. This is one of the main factors in bracelets that don't last. Never put on your bracelet by stretching it over your hand. As much as possible, roll it over your hand without excessive pulling.
- Keep the bracelet away from soap, perfumes, hair and skin products, sunscreen, salt water, etc. Many of the products we use every day can degrade the quality of the elastic over time.
IMPORTANT NOTE
We all know that all these steps might not be as realistic as it sounds but with proper wear and care, your sterling silver, brass, gold plating or gold-filled jewelry (and all other metal types) should last for a long time. Being tarnish resistant doesn’t necessarily mean it will never oxidize.
The truth is all jewelry oxidize overtime with wear and tear but the key is to prevent and delay the tarnishing effects.
While gold-filled, gold vermeil, gold plating, titanium, braass and sterling silver jewelry are very tarnish resistant for me, there are many variables that can affect how long jewelry can last for someone depending on their lifestyle and daily activities.
We also do not recommend wearing your jewelty in chlorinated water, this is a big one as the chlorine will oxidize your jewelry fast!!! it doesn't matter what metal you are wearing and it can also cause damage to your jewelry especially in gold filled or gold plating.
PLEASE NOTE WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR IMPROPER CARE, ABUSE OR MISUSE OF YOUR JEWELRY.
We all know that all these steps might not be as realistic as it sounds but with proper wear and care, your sterling silver, brass, gold plating or gold-filled jewelry (and all other metal types) should last for a long time. Being tarnish resistant doesn’t necessarily mean it will never oxidize.
The truth is all jewelry oxidize overtime with wear and tear but the key is to prevent and delay the tarnishing effects.
While gold-filled, gold vermeil, gold plating, titanium, braass and sterling silver jewelry are very tarnish resistant for me, there are many variables that can affect how long jewelry can last for someone depending on their lifestyle and daily activities.
We also do not recommend wearing your jewelty in chlorinated water, this is a big one as the chlorine will oxidize your jewelry fast!!! it doesn't matter what metal you are wearing and it can also cause damage to your jewelry especially in gold filled or gold plating.
PLEASE NOTE WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR IMPROPER CARE, ABUSE OR MISUSE OF YOUR JEWELRY.
HANDBAGS
BALI ATA BAG
Due to the process, these bags have a slight smoky scent that dissapear over time, if the smell is too strong, you can use baking soda to get rid of the smell.
These bags are moisture and heat resistant.
To clean, simply wipe your basket purse with a cloth and allow to air dry. Store the bag in a cotton bag to keep the dust away. If needed, simply blow the dust away with a blow dryer or keyboard cleaner type of compressed air.
Due to the process, these bags have a slight smoky scent that dissapear over time, if the smell is too strong, you can use baking soda to get rid of the smell.
These bags are moisture and heat resistant.
To clean, simply wipe your basket purse with a cloth and allow to air dry. Store the bag in a cotton bag to keep the dust away. If needed, simply blow the dust away with a blow dryer or keyboard cleaner type of compressed air.
