Jewellery Care Guide
Keep Your Jewellery Beautiful for a Lifetime
Every Relic piece is designed to last, but precious metals and metal alloys naturally react to their environment over time.
Our ancestors knew the value of various metals and they knew it was worth putting in the care to maintain them.
This guide will help you preserve the original brilliance of all of your pieces.
How to Care for Sterling Silver
Sterling silver is a timeless precious metal that loves to be worn. Frequent wear actually prevents tarnish by naturally buffing the metal against your skin and clothes.
Regular wear keeps silver bright, so it is a great reason to wear your pieces often!
Apply perfumes, lotions, and hairsprays before putting on your pieces just in case there’s anything that can cause tarnish.
Remove your silver before showering, swimming, or hot tubbing and it will help with keeping it looking clean and healthy. Chlorine can cause damage that cannot be repaired (such as pitting and chemical reactions).
How to Clean Sterling Silver
❖ Use a polishing cloth: Rub gently with a specialised jewellery polishing cloth.
❖ Wash with mild soap: Use warm water and a few drops of gentle dish soap.
❖ Scrub gently: Use a very soft-bristled toothbrush for intricate details.
❖ Dry completely: Thoroughly pat dry with a microfiber cloth before storing.
How to Care for Bronze
Bronze is a rich, golden alloy of copper and tin. Over time, it will develop a deep, antique patina that tells the story of your journey with the piece.
Understanding Bronze
Bronze naturally darkens over time due to oxygen and skin oils which is part of the beauty of this metal.
Raw bronze can leave a harmless green mark on bare skin if you sweat. This is a completely natural reaction, not an allergic one, and washes off easily with soap! Do not be alarmed, it is a completely organic and harmless process.
How to Clean Bronze
❖ Buff the high points: Use a dry jewellery cloth to polish high areas, leaving dark recesses for contrast.
❖ Deep clean: Clean grime with mild soap, warm water, and a soft brush.
❖ Brighten it up: To restore a bright gold look, make a paste of baking soda and lemon juice. Rub gently, rinse thoroughly, and dry completely.
How to Care for Mixed-Metal Pieces (Silver + Bronze)
When sterling silver and bronze are combined in a single piece, they require a little extra care.
Because these metals tarnish at different rates, they must never be treated with harsh chemicals!
The Golden Rule = No liquid dips: Never submerge mixed-metal jewellery in liquid jewellery "dips" or ultrasonic cleaners. These chemicals can permanently alter the bronze finish and turn it an unattractive dull colour.
The Mixed-Metal Cleaning Routine
Targeted polishing: Use a dual-zone jewellery polishing cloth. Use one section strictly for the sterling silver parts (like the bezel or chain) and another section to lightly buff the bronze.
Keep it dry: Moisture triggers a minor electrical reaction between silver and bronze, causing the bronze to oxidise faster. Simply dry the piece as soon as possible if it gets wet.
Proper Storage (For All Jewellery)
How you store your jewellery when you aren't wearing it is just as important as how you clean it.
❖ Air-tight is best: Store your jewellery in a small, zip-top plastic baggie.
❖ Prevent tarnish: Place a 3M anti-tarnish strip inside the bag to absorb moisture and sulfur.
❖ Separate your pieces: Store items individually to prevent them from scratching each other.
❖ Avoid humidity: Don't store your jewellery in a damp room.
