Jewellery Care
Lace flower - Crystal and Cord
Start with using a high-quality, gentle soap when washing. I suggest you only wash the areas that are soiled.
Massage cold or warm soapy water into the soiled spot to remove any grim. Rinse with cold or warm water and press out excess water. Then allow your beautiful shaped flower to dry in a curved upward position.
Please note the lace has been coated for durability, however they may soften over time after being washed. They will retain their flower shape.
Silver or gold jewellery
Some jewellery components are plated or finished using a base metal*--usually steel, brass or "pewter" (zinc alloy)--that is submerged in an electroplating bath for enough time to thoroughly coat the item with the finish, normally either gold or silver.
Given this information, you'll need to decide what jewellery product will suit how you expect to use it. In other words, will you wear your item all the time, for swimming, sleeping, etc.? If this is the case, you may want to choose a precious metal jewellery component eg sterling silver or solid gold, desirable for its longevity and ability to be touched-up and polished. You can use Hagerty Silver
Clean Correctly
How often should you clean your plated jewellery? Generally, the more you wear it, the more you should clean it. Be aware that different types of jewellery pieces experience plating wear differently. A ring or bracelet will receive a lot of friction and contact with a variety of surfaces, whereas a necklace and earrings will receive a lot less contact.
Just wearing your jewellery makes it susceptible to the effects of moisture, cleaning products, oil, perfume, nail polish, hairspray and sweat as well as oxidation from the air we breathe, all of which can deteriorate the plating.
For cleaning gold-plated or silver-plated jewellery, use a small section of a slightly damp microfiber cloth or jewellery cloth and gently wipe off the dust, dirt or other substances, then dry with a clean towel. A little soap and water can also be used for badly spoiled areas.
As with any cleaning method, test it out on a small section of plated jewellery, preferably a part that doesn't normally show.
Hagerty Silver Foam is very very effective for restoring sterling silver (this can also be used on silver-plated jewellery) and a Hagerty Mini Jewell Cloth is great for a quick and easy shine.
Avoid Abrasives and Harsh Cleansers
Because plated jewellery has a thin layer of surface colour (gold or silver), it can easily be rubbed off by products that are too harsh for it such as jewellery cleaners and tarnish removers that have corrosives. Polishing cloths with rouge should not be used to clean plated jewellery; it will quickly rub off the plating.
Last On, First Off
Remember the rule: last on, first off. Jewellery should be the last thing you put on after makeup and other accessories, and should be the first thing you take off.
Avoid wearing your jewellery while showering, swimming and exercising. Try to prevent your jewellery from being exposed to chemicals from lotions, perfumes, oil blends, and hairspray.
Store Properly
Plated jewellery pieces and components can be stored in an air-tight container or a plastic bag with a zip top closure. Add an anti-tarnish paper such as Shine-On to neutralize tarnish-causing sulphur gas, thereby slowing the oxidation process.