CARE INSTRUCTIONS

Most of the jewellery I make is sterling silver and copper (polished, satinised or oxidised/darkened), as well as some titanium. I sometimes add buttons (fabric, plastic or glass), painted metal, or other elements, so I will try and cover all areas.

In general, sterling silver will tarnish over time, that’s pretty unavoidable. Exposure to the air and contact with oils from your skin or moisturisers etc are some factors that cause marks and discolouration on the metal. Most, if not all, of my textured or oxidised jewellery has a light wax coating applied, which will help reduce any tarnishing. Keeping your jewellery stored in a closed jewellery box or container, and handling it with clean hands will also help maintain its appearance. However, let’s be honest, none of us live in a perfect pristine bubble, so some extra attention may be required along the way.

Most jewellers will offer a cleaning service, whether it was purchased from them or not (it is always nice to try and take it back to the original jeweller as they will be more familiar with the methods and materials that were used to create the piece. It will also be a good way to support their business). If it is not feasible to take it to a jeweller, there are some things you can do yourself at home.

Sterling Silver

All plain (uncoated, untreated) silver can be easily cleaned with warm water and soap or detergent. Please use a pH neutral soap as a non-balanced type may actually bring more stains to the metal. Any supermarket grade ‘eco’ type dishwashing liquid or soap should work fine, but always check the labels or look online. You can simply rub the metal with your hands, as a cloth may risk marking the metal, especially if it’s a polished surface. A textured or satinised finish will be more forgiving to marks, but please avoid anything highly abrasive like a scouring dish cloth or hard bristle toothbrush. If you’re cleaning any of my button jewellery, please do not immerse the piece in the water, instead localise the cleaning to the marked area and keep the button dry as possible.

Polishing cloths are a handy tool to keep around, I keep one permanently next to my jewellery box for any quick touch-ups. They are a soft cloth with a polishing compound embedded into the material, and rubbing the silver with one of these will bring the shine back to polished surfaces pretty quickly. Keep in mind the compound in these cloths may mark other non-metal surfaces, like the fabric buttons I sometimes use, as well as clothing and your hands. So please be mindful of the area you need polishing and take your time (it will wash off your hands pretty easily with warm water and soap, but cleaning fabric may prove more troublesome). These cloths range from high quality professional brands to basic ‘everyday’ ones, so there’s heaps to choose from. I’ve seen some sold at jewellery stores, chemists and even some supermarkets.

Oxidised Metal

Oxidised, or darkened, metals simply have a surface treatment to make them that colour. It is not strictly permanent and can easily come off with any high abrasive like sand paper, scourers, even sharp fingernails. It can also gradually rub off over normal extended wear, which can actually create a lovely, worn look, and can be a nice feature depending on the style of jewellery. This treatment can also be redone at some point down the line if you’re looking to give your jewellery a refresh.

Painted Metal

Some of my jewellery includes elements that are copper metal coated with MTN Hardcore spray paint. They have a colour layer and a gloss clear coat sealer on top. This is a durable type of paint designed for domestic, industrial and artistic purposes, often graffiti-style or mural artists. For everyday wear, this paint should withstand most conditions, however it may not be resistant to hard scratches from anything sharp or abrasive. If any extreme markings do occur, please get in touch with me, as some damage could be fixed with a simple re-spraying.

Fabric Buttons

Fabric buttons are pretty sturdy, they are designed to be on clothes and used everyday, however, remember these guys cannot go through the washing machine anymore! All my buttons are from pre-loved and second-hand sources, making each piece wonderfully unique, but it does mean replacing them will prove extremely difficult, if not impossible. So best to take care!

All my fabric buttons are Scotchguarded prior to being used to help protect the fabric from stains. 

Best practice is to handle the jewellery by the metal as much as possible, but there does seem to be an irresistible urge to just want to touch the buttons! I don’t blame you, it’s that wonderful tactile sensation that draws us to them. So, your new mantra is CLEAN HANDS! Always wash hands of any dirt, moisturisers, make-up, sunscreens etc before handling the buttons. 

My personal habit is making my jewellery the last thing I put on when getting ready. After getting the hair and face sorted, I wash my hands thoroughly then add the earrings to complete the look (like a cherry on top!).

If your buttons do get marked, wipe gently with a colour-free clean cloth and some stain remover as soon as possible (please also refer to instructions of use provided by your choice of stain remover). Avoid harsh chemicals or bleaches as these may affect the colours of the fabric. Do not immerse or soak the jewellery in water.

If you have a polishing cloth to clean your jewellery, try to avoid rubbing this cloth on the buttons. The polishing compound embedded in the cloth can leave dark stains on the fabric which could prove difficult to remove, even with a stain remover.

I don’t want to scare you off from wearing your button jewellery! I have my own button earrings that I have worn for years and they are still going strong. Jewellery is meant to be worn and enjoyed, and by following these basic care tips you can flaunt your buttony treasures every day!