Care Guide
Sterling Silver:
Sterling Silver consists of 92.5% pure silver with 7.5% containing additional metals (usually copper) which strengthens the silver without compromising its appearance. This is done as pure silver is way too soft to be used in jewellery making.
How do I care for my Sterling Silver jewellery?
Wearing your jewellery often is the est way to avoid tarnish, as natural oils in your skin will clean the silver. Sterling Silver naturally tarnishes when exposed to moisture and oxygen in the air. This tarnishing effect on the surface of the jewellery can be removed easily by buffing with a silver jewellery cloth or using a silver liquid cleaning product
To prevent tarnishing, you can store silver jewellery in airtight bags, boxes, pouches or zip-lock bags. This will stop the oxygen getting in and prevent
tarnishing your silver pieces when they aren’t being worn. Sterling Silver is a very soft material, so it’s important to be gentle and use non-abrasive cloths when cleaning.
Stainless Steel:
Stainless Steel is commonly used in jewellery making now due to its affordable price, durability and hypoallergenic properties. Stainless Steel is an iron alloy mixed with chromium. Because of its low Carbon content, it is extremely resistant to corrosion. Stainless Steel jewellery is a great option for people who have allergies to nickel or sensitive skin.
Gold Filled/Gold Vermeil:
Gold filled jewellery is a solid layer of either 14 karat (14K) or 18 karat (18K) gold bonded to a high-quality base metal, commonly Sterling Silver. The esult is a thick layer of real gold and a durable, long-lasting product. This process is not to be confused with Gold Plating, as Gold Filled has 100% more gold content than Gold Plating, making it more valuable, durable and tarnish resistant.
Gold-filled pieces will not chip or flake, nor turn your skin green and are much more durable and long-lasting.
99.9% of people find they have no sensitivity to gold-filled jewellery. As the outside layer of the piece is solid 14K gold, it interacts with your skin in the same way solid 14K gold would. If you do not have any sensitivities to solid gold, you will find gold-filled agrees well with your skin.
Whilst all the brands on The Loved pride themselves on providing high quality jewellery, it is important to note that over time all metals will naturally oxidise and do require maintenance.
Your jewellery should be stored away from natural sunlight and heat, in a protective (lined) jewellery box or a tarnish-resistant pouch. Do not store your jewellery in the bathroom.
Stainless steel & sterling silver items can be worn in water however we recommend not wearing in the ocean or chlorine pools.
To take care of your gold-plated jewellery and to maximise its lifespan, follow these simple tips:
- Remove before showering and swimming;
- Avoid exposure to moisture such as bathroom and excessive sweating;
- Avoid contact with perfumes, hair sprays, lotions and harsh chemicals;
- Store pieces in a jewellery box or pouch; and
- Clean regularly with a polishing cloth or mild soap and a soft cloth (whichever is applicable).
Gold plating is a process where layers of real gold are applied to the surface of a different material. Gold plated products use a 2 micron 18K Yellow Gold and Rose Gold plate onto brass.
As the jewellery is plated, it may start to fade over time but if your items come into contact with products such as soap, shampoo, moisturiser, perfume etc the plating can start to chip.
For gold or rose gold plated jewellery, extra care needs to be taken as wear and tear may cause the plating to rub off.
Please feel free to get your items wet but make sure to take your pieces off when you are using a product such as the ones listed above.
OCEAN
Salt water and the ocean are corrosive and can be a harsh environment for your jewellery.
So, although your jewellery will not tarnish or turn your skin green, gold plated jewellery can fade a lot faster in this environment and become lighter and revealing the silver underneath.
SHOWER
Water will rarely affect or react with your jewellery; it is harsh products such as shampoos and soaps, household chemicals that you should be careful of.
POOL
Swimming with jewellery is not recommended as you will be coming into contact with water that has chemicals like chlorine that will interact with your jewellery more dramatically than fresh water and soap.
Like all jewellery, over time our pieces may get dirty, especially those worn every day, but the good news is they can be cleaned easily!
Our 14k Gold Filled and 925 Sterling Silver pieces can be cleaned with a polishing cloth as frequently as you desire!
Stainless Steel jewellery cannot be cleaned with a polishing cloth. You can put these pieces in a bowl of water with gentle liquid detergent and wipe it with a lint-free cloth. Toothbrushes are ideal for cleaning jewellery with intricate details, which can otherwise be difficult to clean.
To clean your pearls, clean with mild soapy water every few months using a soft toothbrush, to ensure no dust builds up around the edges, which will keep them looking brand new and shiny.
Pearls are naturally soft and react considerably to acid, alcohol and even sweat. If possible, wear your perfume and beauty products in areas
that won’t come into contact with your Pearls.
If your Pearls are exposed to something acidic, wipe them immediately with a damp soft cloth.
To clean your Pearls and keep their lustre, carefully clean each Pearl piece with your finger or soft cotton cloth dampened in lukewarm soapy water, using a gentle, natural soap. When all the dirt is removed, wipe off the soap with a soft cotton cloth dampened in lukewarm water. Don’t use a brush. Pat dry and lay flat until completely dry.
Don’t use ultrasonic or steam cleaners on Pearls as vibrations
and heat can damage the nacre (the pearl shine).
Store away from other jewellery to avoid scratches.
Do not use a silver-polishing cloth on the Pearl as it may dull the Pearl.
Twist Hoops: Some of our Huggie Hoops are what we call twist hoops and they have a specific way to be opened and closed to ensure they’re comfortable and secure. Hold your hoop with your fingers on either side of the ear piece. To open and close, gently twist the hoops sideways until the thin post comes out of the hoop. Do not open the hoops by pulling the ends apart as this will bend the shape and break the hoops). Thread the post through your piercing and twist the hoop back into place until the ear piece clicks back into the hoop.
Cuffs: To put on open cuff bangles, place the open cuff part sideways and gently slip them onto your wrist at the smallest point of your wrist. Because of its flexible nature, please treat these delicate pieces with care.