Care Recommendations

Best practices to get the most out of your jewels:

  • Gently roll off your wrist to limit overstretching of the elastic – remove when sleeping
  • Store in an airtight bag/box when not in use to avoid oxidation
  • Expose to moisture/liquids at your own discretion. Also limit exposure to chemicals such as perfume, hairspray, and other harsh detergents. J. Sterling Jewelry is not liable for any damage to your jewels as a result of your own improper care
  • While 14k Gold-Filled beads are tarnish-resistant, the coloring on the letter beads may be subject to fading. J. Sterling jewelry is not liable for any damage to your jewels as a result of your own improper care, therefore, it is recommended to remove before showering, exercising, swimming, etc. simply to get the most wear out of your pieces as long as possible
  • Keep reading below for even more best practices & care recommendation for specific metals

What is .925 Sterling Silver?

  • Sterling Silver is 92.5% pure silver. The rest of the metal alloy is usually copper. The copper is added to strengthen the metal so it is more durable. Tarnish is a naturally occurring reaction of the metal alloy and common elements in the air and water that surround us. All Sterling Silver will need to be cleaned periodically.

How to care for your Sterling Silver jewelry:

  • To best care for your Sterling Silver, clean your jewelry after each time you wear it to keep the tarnish, dirt, and oil buildup to a minimum. Polish your Sterling Silver with a paste of baking soda and water and a soft toothbrush in the palm of your hand. Rinse well and pat dry with a clean cloth. If your Sterling Silver is extremely tarnished, it can be covered in this baking soda paste and left overnight. The next morning, rinse well, use a soft toothbrush to get all the paste off, pat dry with a clean cloth, and let air dry. Make sure your jewelry is completely dry before storing. To prevent tarnishing between wearing, store your jewelry in a closed bag/box to limit its exposure to air.

What is 14k Gold-Filled?

  • Gold-Filled metals are made by permanently heat-bonding a layer of 14k gold to an alloy/base metal core. Gold-Filled has 100 times the amount of 14k Gold as plated jewelry. It is strong, durable, and resistant to tarnish – it will not flake off.

How to care for your 14k Gold-Filled jewelry:

  • Although 14k Gold-Filled jewelry will not tarnish, it will get dirty. The oils from your skin transfer to the metal and need to be washed off periodically. The easiest way to clean your handmade Gold-Filled pieces is to scrub it with an old soft toothbrush and shampoo or dish soap. Rinse well, pat dry, and air dry. Make sure your jewelry is completely dry before storing.

While J. Sterling jewelry is NOT plated, here are some best practices in caring for all other plated metals/materials:

  • To keep your jewelry clean, wipe with a soft cloth. It is not recommended to use jewelry cleaner on plated jewelry. As mentioned above, store your pieces in an airtight bag or box to avoid oxidation.

  • Protect the plating of your jewelry by removing it while swimming, showering, exercising, washing hands, and before applying perfume, lotion, or hair products. Never expose your jewelry to water or harsh detergents.

  • Due to the nature of plated materials, if your jewelry should be exposed to any of the aforementioned products, tarnishing may occur. Tarnishing may also be caused by the skin’s natural pH levels. As a result, we recommend investing pieces made with higher quality materials such as the 14k Gold-Filled and the .925 Sterling Silver. However, with that being said, many plated pieces can last for years with proper care.