I use only precious metals in my jewelry designs including fine silver which is 99.9% pure silver and tarnish free and I also oxidize my silver for a darkened antique affect which sometimes results in coppery tones and lovely color changes. I also use Hill Tribe Silver elements from The Karen Hill Tribe in Thailand, Bali silver and sterling wire and findings, as well as gold vermeil.
Caring for your silver jewelry
Fine Silver: Because fine silver is 99.9% pure it contains little to no alloy like sterling which contains alloys such as copper, therefore fine silver does not tarnish. If your jewelry piece contains fine silver and sterling which has not been intentionally oxidized to darken you may clean with silver cleaner if needed. Fine silver alone should not need cleaning. Polishing may change the desired effect on fine silver also. It is pretty care free.
Please note: Do not clean oxidized (patinaed - intentionally darkened) silver with silver cleaner. Doing so will remove the patina and the color may not return to a desired silver color. If your piece contains fine silver which has both bright and patinaed pieces, please do not clean or polish.
Caring for pearls. Do not clean pearls in silver or gold cleaner. Only use cleaner specifically meant for pearls. If your silver jewelry with pearls darkens you may use a silver polishing cloth on the silver areas or lightly polish with silver cleaner avoiding the pearls. I polish all my sterling silver wire with a tarnish resistant cloth to coat the silver before use to deter tarnishing. You may also store your sterling in special cloths and wipe your silver with these type cloths as well.
Caring for semi precious gemstone jewelry: As mentioned above, please do not clean oxidized/patinaed silver. It is care free. Also, please only clean gemstones in gemstone cleaner that is meant for those stones and if your silver jewelry is oxidized only wipe the gemstones and avoid the silver with any cleaner. If your silver is not oxidized, but has darkened, although many stones are quite durable and can handle silver cleaner, to be on the safe side, use a polishing cloth or silver cleaner and rub onto the silver avoiding the stones.
About Hill Tribe Silver: Hill Tribe Silver is handcrafted silver by the Karen Hill Tribe of Northern Thailand. These craftspeople use traditional tribal methods passed down from generation to generation using fine silver content of 95-99%. These tribes face a variety of problems including poverty, disease and lack of opportunity. The purchase of the components to create jewelry containing Hill Tribe Silver helps support this tribe.
Thank you and please don't hesitate to contact me with any questions about the care of your handcrafted jewelry.
LeAnne MarquisOriginal Handcrafted Jewelry
marquisjewelry.com
