| You should be able to find several | | | | place. Zip-lock bags and individual |
| indispensable facts about Silver in the | | | | cloth pouches are ideal for this and |
| following paragraphs. If there's at | | | | will help prevent both tarnishing and |
| least one fact you didn't know before, | | | | scratching by other pieces. What causes |
| imagine the difference it might make. | | | | silver to tarnish is air, and when it is |
| Truthfully, the only difference between | | | | not in use, the more you can keep it |
| you and Silver experts is time. If | | | | sealed the less it will tarnish. |
| you'll invest a little more time in | | | | 4. Never immerse your silver jewelry in |
| reading, you'll be that much nearer to | | | | chlorine, salt water, mineral springs, |
| expert status when it comes to Silver. | | | | and suntan lotion. Remember, some |
| WHAT IS STERLING SILVER | | | | household cleaners contain chlorine |
| Silver is a precious metal and much like | | | | bleach; these will cause discoloration |
| gold it is too fine to be made in a 100% | | | | and also loosen the gemstones. |
| form. To make it durable for jewelry, | | | | 5. Avoid abrasive cleaners, detergents |
| pure silver (999 fineness) is often | | | | and commercial jewelry cleaners "dips" |
| alloyed with small quantities of copper | | | | especially if the pieces have an |
| (7.5%), thus comes sterling silver | | | | oxidized finish. Using harsh polishing |
| (92.5% or .925). Copper is added to | | | | cleaners will alter the antique look of |
| strengthen the silver and make it | | | | your jewelry. |
| durable to be use as a decorative or in | | | | 6. Never use an ultrasonic cleaner, |
| fashionable jewelry. | | | | ammonia or any chemical solution to |
| IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS | | | | clean opaque gemstones, such as |
| Most of our jewelry is 100% solid | | | | turquoise, malachite, onyx, lapis lazuli |
| Sterling Silver (.925). When wrapping | | | | and opals. They are a porous stone and |
| your items, DO NOT place them directly | | | | may absorb chemicals, which build up |
| in paper, cardboard, or cotton filled | | | | inside the stone and cause |
| boxes, as these contain trace elements | | | | discoloration. Simply wipe them gently |
| of sulfur which will tarnish your silver | | | | with a moist cloth until clean. |
| jewelry. For best results, place the | | | | 7. If your jewelry contains gemstones or |
| items in a sealed, air tight plastic bag | | | | pearls, do not immerse in water, as this |
| or jeweler's sulfur free tissue | | | | can loosen some settings. Never use dips |
| (different from standard tissue) prior | | | | or abrasives cleaners on gemstones. |
| to boxing and wrapping. | | | | KEEP YOUR ANTIQUED JEWELRY LOOKING GREAT |
| HOW TO CARE FOR STERLING SILVER | | | | By allowing the metal to oxidize with a |
| As with every product its life span will | | | | solution, sterling silver becomes |
| depend on the care you give it. These | | | | "Antiqued" and develops an aged look. |
| are some helpful hints on how to look | | | | With wear, the antique process will |
| after your silver pieces. | | | | fade, and the jewelry will look less |
| 1. To maintain the original condition of | | | | "black' in color, becoming a vintage |
| your silver jewelry, polish your pieces | | | | silver shade. |
| regularly using a non-abrasive cleaning | | | | To prolong the dark color of the metal, |
| cloth. | | | | avoid wearing the jewelry in the shower |
| 2. Soap and water will also help keep | | | | or bath. Water will remove the finish |
| your silver looking good. Remember do | | | | over time. Do not clean the sterling |
| not dry silver off with paper towels or | | | | silver or the antique finish will be |
| tissues, always use a soft cloth. | | | | removed. Instead, keep your silver in a |
| 3. When you are NOT wearing your silver | | | | zip lock bag with the air squeezed out |
| jewelry, store them in a cool, dry | | | | to keep it looking nice longer. |