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