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Studio Crafted Artisan Jewelry
Bertha Hennessey Studio
Precious Metals
Here's a list of things that can damage your precious metal jewelry:
- Prolonged contact with water
- Chemical cleaners and chlorine
- Hairsprays, lotions, soaps and oils
- Rubber gloves
- Sunlight
In addition to the hazards mentioned above, remember chains are easily broken when they are mishandled, so please don’t sleep wearing a piece of jewelry with a chain.
Remember to remove your jewelry!
Precious Stones
Precious don't have the same degree of hardness. Diamonds are the hardest stones in the world closely followed by rubies and sapphires. Emeralds, topazes, and aquamarines come next in the Mohs hardness scale. Pearls and peridots are softer gems. They are only half as hard as a diamond or ruby. Opals and Turquoise are very soft. That's why you should store your gemstone jewelry pieces separately from each other.
Also, try to regularly check your gemstone stone settings to make sure the prongs holding the stones are not worn down or loose. To be extra safe, you can take your jewelry pieces to to a jeweler periodically to get them checked for loose settings and damaged prongs.
As mentioned above, don't store or carry your gemstone jewelry in a single box or pouch. Always carry each piece in a separate case and try to keep your jewelry pieces wrapped in tissue. It's possible for precious stones get scratches when you keep them carelessly.
Remember to remove your jewelry!
Patina and Finishes
Patina is a process of intentional accelerated oxidation which adds texture and depth to a piece when it's made. Your piece of jewelry may have come to you with a patina.
Oxidation of metal is a completely natural process and if not done when the piece is new, it will occur over time. Even if a piece has patina added in the studio, the metal will continue to oxidize as it adapts to its wearer. It may darken, but can be brought back to its original shine by gently rubbing with a polishing cloth that is provided in each order.
The finish on a piece of silver jewelry does not remain the same as it when you buy it. It will change over time, acquiring a unique patina from its interaction with you and your environment.
Pro Tips for Cleaning and Maintaining
- Gentle soap and water first
- A small amount of baking soda on a soft toothbrush next. No toothpaste, please!
- Soak in a mixture of ½ cup of white vinegar and 2 tbsp baking soda for 2-3 hours, then rinse well, pat dry
- Polishing cloth AFTER cleaning
- Store in an airtight container and in a cool, dark place
- Store jewelry with a piece of chalk or a silica pack you get in the packaging with new shoes, etc.
- Store in anti-tarnish tissue