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Inner Fyre Bespoke Jewellery

Unique jewellery, made the way you want it.

Care Guide

I take pride in my work and in the craftsmanship of my handcrafted jewellery. As with every product its longevity will depend on the care you give it. These are some helpful hints on how to look after your Inner Fyre pieces.

Silver plated jewellery care

Humidity and chemicals in the air can cause silver to tarnish, as well as oily residue from hands and fingers. This tarnish can be minimized during storage. Place individual pieces of silver inside polyethylene plastic bags then seal the bags to minimise contact with the air. Desiccated silica gel can help reduce humidity. Don't use plastic cling wrap, newspaper or rubber bands, as they have properties that react with silver causing more damage. Frequent light cleanings then drying with a soft cloth, is better than waiting until the tarnish gets so difficult to remove that more abrasive polishes would be needed.
For cleaning silver plated jewellery, follow these simple steps. Place a sheet of aluminium foil in a shallow plastic or glass bowl. (The bowl should not be metal because this could interfere with the chemical reaction.) Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) and half a teaspoon of salt onto the foil. Place your silver plated jewellery on top of the foil. Pour hot water into the bowl on top of the jewellery. Cover the bowl and wait 5 minutes. Remove the cover and take out your jewellery. The foil, baking soda and salt (which must be dissolved by the hot water) creates a reaction that removes the tarnish from the silver.

Gold plated jewellery care

Keep gold plated jewellery away from hard surfaces. Bumps and scratches may cause the gold plating to start to come away. Store your gold plated jewellery in a velvet lined jewelry box, or wrap it in a soft material that will prevent scratches. Lightly wipe your gold plated jewellery with a damp cotton cloth. This will help to eliminate any dirt or dust from accumulating on the surface. Use a non-abrasive jewellery polishing cloth and gently rub the gold plated jewellery to restore shine.
If some of the gold plating does manage to get scratched off, it may be worth taking the gold-plated jewellery to a local jeweller where they can replace the gold layer.

Sterling Silver jewellery care

Store your sterling silver jewellery in tarnish prevention cloths or bags in a cool, dry place. The treated cloth slows down the tarnishing process and keeps the jewellery from rubbing against harder jewellery that might scratch it. Polishing cloths are an excellent choice for cleaning your sterling silver jewellery. You might read recommendations to use toothpaste to clean sterling silver, but avoid doing that - toothpaste is abrasive and can leave scratches. Sterling silver jewellery that is worn continually often develops a lovely patina, a kind of glow combined with darkened areas. If you like the look, leave it alone. If you prefer a bright and shiny look for your sterling silver, use a polish cloth to restore the jewellery to its original appearance.

General

Store your jewellery in a dry place and avoid extreme temperatures. Lay chains flat to avoid the links tangling or becoming kinked.
Always store jewellery in separate pouches or wraps rather than cramming them into your jewellery box. Overcrowding could result in the metals and stones becoming scratched or connections can become loose and you will end up with lost parts.
Chemicals from hair-spray, make-up and perfume can damage the finish of the metals and stones used, so put on your jewellery as the final stage of your preparations. Remove all jewellery before taking a shower or cleaning - soap can cause a film to form on jewellery making it dull.
Do not store pearls in plastic bags or wraps as this will damage them. Do not leave coloured gems, pearls or Swarovski crystals exposed to sunlight for extended periods as they will fade.