Jewelry Daily Wear and Care Guide
Different brands may have slightly different care instructions due to variations in materials and craftsmanship. Please refer to the respective brand's care instructions for more details.
Keep it dry
Keep jewelry away from water, moisture, and chemical liquids such as perfumes, hair sprays, soaps, and lotions, etc. Remove jewelry when washing hands, taking a bath, swimming, or soaking in hot springs. If your jewelry gets wet, immediately dry it.
Proper storage
Store jewelry in its original packaging or a soft pouch to prevent scratching. This also helps minimize exposure to sunlight and excessive heat, which can cause fading.
Avoid impact
Avoid contact with hard surfaces, as this may cause scratches and fractures on gemstones and coatings.
Regarding Materials
Karat gold refers to gold alloys containing a certain percentage of pure gold and other metals, such as 10K, 14K, 18K, with varying prices and durability depending on the gold content.
Characteristics
Harder, corrosion-resistant, prone to discoloration
Preservation
Avoid contact with chemicals, polish and maintain
Pure silver refers to 99.9% silver, which is a relatively soft metal that is easily oxidized and discolored. It requires careful handling and protection from water and chemicals.
Characteristics
Soft, prone to oxidation and discoloration
Preservation
Avoid contact with water and chemicals, polish and maintain
Brass is a metal alloy composed of copper and zinc, harder and more wear-resistant than pure silver, but more prone to discoloration and with a lower price.
Characteristics
Hard, wear-resistant, prone to discoloration
Preservation
Avoid contact with chemicals, polish and maintain
Plating involves adding a layer of a more precious metal on top of a base metal for decoration, such as 18K gold plating. The plating itself has the lowest value and needs to be carefully protected to prevent wear.
Characteristics
Adds decoration, protects the base metal
Preservation
Avoid heavy abrasion, keep dry
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Care Instructions for Different Materials
Karat Gold
K gold jewelry is made by alloying pure gold with other metals. The "K" in K gold stands for karat, which is used to indicate the purity of gold. Common purities of K gold include 10K, 14K, 18K, and 24K.
It is important to note that the purity of gold can vary based on the region and standards. Therefore, it is advisable to understand the purity standards of the country of origin when purchasing gold products.
Cleaning and maintenance:
K gold jewelry requires regular care to maintain its appearance and value.
- You can use a mild soap solution and a soft brush to gently clean K gold jewelry, followed by rinsing with clean water and drying with a soft cloth.
- Avoid exposing K gold jewelry to chemicals, harsh cleaning agents, or rough surfaces to prevent damage to the gold's appearance and texture.
Please note that K gold jewelry may develop scratches and wear over time with regular use, which is normal. If needed, professional cleaning and polishing can help restore the shine of K gold jewelry.
Pure Silver
Pure silver refers to silver with a purity of 99.9%, also known as 999 pure silver. Due to its softness and susceptibility to oxidation, pure silver is often not used alone in the production of jewelry but is usually alloyed with other metals to increase hardness and durability.
In the market, a common silver alloy is 925 sterling silver, also known as sterling silver, which consists of 92.5% silver and 7.5% other metals, usually copper. This alloy is widely used in jewelry making because it offers good hardness and durability while retaining the appearance and texture of silver.
Cleaning and maintaining pure silver and 925 sterling silver jewelry can be done following these steps:
- Use mild soapy water: Add a small amount of mild soap to warm water and gently stir to create foam. Place the silver jewelry in the foam and gently soak it, then lightly brush it with a soft-bristle brush or a soft cloth, being careful not to brush too hard to avoid scratching the silver jewelry.
- Rinse: Thoroughly rinse the silver jewelry with clean water, ensuring that all soap residues are washed off.
- Dry: Gently dry the silver jewelry with a soft dry cloth or pure cotton cloth, ensuring that it is completely dry.
- Use a silver cloth: You can use a specialized silver cloth to polish the silver jewelry, as it helps remove oxidation and restore the shine of the silver jewelry. Gently rub the silver jewelry, avoiding excessive force.
- Avoid exposure to air and moisture: When not wearing silver jewelry, it should be stored in a sealed bag or jewelry box to prevent oxidation from exposure to air.
- Avoid contact with chemicals: Avoid silver jewelry coming into contact with chemicals such as perfumes, cosmetics, hair dyes, cleaning agents, etc., as these chemicals can cause discoloration or damage to the silver jewelry.
It is important to note that if there are stubborn stains or oxidation layers on the silver jewelry, it is recommended to seek professional silver jewelry cleaning services or use specialized silver jewelry cleaning products. Proper cleaning and maintenance can prolong the lifespan of silver jewelry and keep its beautiful appearance.
Brass
Brass is commonly used in jewelry and accessory production.
Brass is a sturdy and durable material, making it suitable for crafting jewelry. It is resistant to deformation and breakage, allowing it to maintain its shape and structural integrity over time. Brass has a warm golden hue, similar to gold, which makes it commonly used in creating classical, vintage, or ethnic-style jewelry. It exhibits a unique texture and luster, adding a distinct charm to the pieces.
Cleaning and maintenance:
Brass jewelry requires regular maintenance to preserve its appearance and shine.
- Gently wiping with a soft cloth can remove surface dirt and oxidation.
- Avoid exposing brass jewelry to moist environments or chemicals, as they can cause oxidation or discoloration. You can use specialized brass cleaners or homemade cleaning solutions to clean and restore the brass's shine.
Please note that brass jewelry may gradually darken and develop a natural patina over time. This change can be considered a part of the jewelry's character or can be restored to its original shine through cleaning and polishing.
Plated
Plated jewelry refers to jewelry that has a metal coating applied to its surface. This coating can alter the appearance and texture of the jewelry, making it look like it is made of pure gold or other precious metals while reducing the cost. Here are some common questions and related knowledge about plated jewelry:
- Plating Materials: Common plating materials include gold, platinum, silver, copper, and rhodium. These metal coatings can give the jewelry different looks and characteristics, such as gold, platinum, or silver color.
- Plating Thickness: The thickness of the plating can affect the appearance and durability of the jewelry. Thicker plating is generally more resistant to wear but also increases the cost. In general, the plating thickness of jewelry ranges from a few micrometers to tens of micrometers.
- Plating Protection: The plating provides a protective layer on the surface of the jewelry, preventing oxidation and scratches. However, the plating can still wear off or fade over time and with use. Regular maintenance and gentle cleaning can extend the lifespan of the plating.
- Value of Plated Jewelry: Plated jewelry is typically of lower value compared to solid precious metal jewelry since the plating only exists on the outer layer. However, this type of jewelry can still provide a similar appearance while being more affordable.
It's important to note that the quality and durability of plated jewelry may vary depending on the plating thickness, plating materials, and usage. Choosing reputable brands and suppliers ensures the purchase of high-quality plated jewelry.
Cleaning and maintenance:
- Avoid contact with chemicals: Plated jewelry should be kept away from chemicals such as cleaning agents, perfumes, sprays, and lotions. These substances can cause damage to the plating, leading to fading or oxidation. Wait for cosmetics or cleaning products to completely dry before wearing jewelry.
- Gentle cleaning: Use a soft cloth or brush to gently wipe plated jewelry to remove dust and dirt. Avoid using abrasive materials or brushes that may scratch the plating.
- Avoid moisture and humidity: Keep plated jewelry away from damp environments as moisture can cause the plating to oxidize or fade. Store your jewelry in a dry place, such as a jewelry box or with a moisture-absorbing packet.
- Store separately: Store different types of plated jewelry separately to prevent them from rubbing against each other or causing reactions. This helps prevent damage or fading of the plating.
- Regular inspection and repair: Regularly check the condition of plated jewelry, such as whether the plating is worn off or faded. If necessary, seek professional jewelry repair services such as re-plating to restore the appearance of the jewelry.
Overall, plated jewelry requires careful maintenance to preserve its appearance and quality. Following the above maintenance methods can extend the lifespan of plated jewelry and ensure its long-lasting beauty.