Caring for your jewelry begins with being mindful of how to wear your pieces and when to take them off. When you are not wearing your jewelry, store your pieces in an airtight bag or container to keep them from exposure to outside elements.
We are always here to consult with you on any questions you have regarding the care of your jewelry. You can reach us at hello@melanieauld.com
Solid Gold
10k and 14k Gold are solid metals but still delicate in nature. While this material can last a lifetime, gold does require gentle care and occasional polishing. We do not recommend any chemical solutions when cleaning your jewelry.
Gold Vermeil
Vermeil is a jewelry material with a Sterling Silver base plated with layers of 14k gold. Your vermeil pieces are best for occasional wear in order to keep the plating looking new.
Always remove your gold vermeil pieces before showering, sleeping, swimming, or working out. To avoid the wearing of your plating, remove when in contact with water, lotions, perfumes or sweat.
Do not use any cleaning solutions on your Gold Vermeil pieces. Instead, use a soft microfibre cloth to wipe them down after each wear to remove any excess oils that have transferred from your skin.
Keep your pieces stored in an individual/airtight bag to protect them from exposure to outside elements. (Never store your vermeil jewelry in the bathroom!)
Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver is a solid metal and thus requires minimal care. It may darken over time but you can easily polish your pieces back to new. Use a jewelry polishing cloth to polish your silve pieces to achieve that mirror finish. We do not recommend any chemical solutions when cleaning your jewelry.
Diamonds
Diamonds are an incredibly hard material so please take care, as they can scratch other stones or metals. We recommend taking your Diamond pieces to a professional jeweller to be cleaned, so as to not compromise the stone settings or damage the surrounding metals. If you need help finding your local jeweller, contact us at hello@melanieauld.com!
Cords
To care for your cord bracelets and necklaces, we recommend removing them before showering, sleeping, swimming, or working out. Avoid chemical cleaners, and rest assured, our cords will not unravel unless done so intentionally.
Herringbones
The herringbone chain is an elaborate and decorative chain style that requires specific care to keep it in its best condition. As the chain is constructed of individually woven and then flattened links, it must always be stored unclasped and flat to keep its shape and integrity. It is normal to see kinks or dents occur with wear, but this can be alleviated by removing the chain when sleeping, showering, or doing any strenuous activities.
Precious & Semi-Precious Stones
(Ex. Diamond, Sapphire, Emerald, Ruby, Opal, Moonstone, Turquoise, etc.)
Avoid sleeping, showering and exercising with your semi-precious pieces as exposure to water and sweat can cause semi-precious gemstones to wear over time.
Avoid exposing your semi-precious stones to chemicals such as hairsprays, lotions or perfumes. As a golden rule, jewelry should be the last thing you put on, and first thing you take off!
Temperature changes can cause semi-precious stones to change colour over time. Avoid storing or placing your pieces where there is direct sunlight or high air moisture such as bathrooms as it can impact the stone’s colours and durability. Direct sunlight can cause stones to fade, and heat can cause stones to crack over time.
To clean and polish your semi-precious stone pieces, use a soft microfibre cloth to wipe them down after each use. Alternatively, you can use a jewelry polishing cloth as well.
Avoid using liquid cleaners as they can be too abrasive on gemstones. If needed, most stones respond well to a mild hand soap and warm water for cleaning. Ensure to gently pat dry after.
Store your semi-precious stone styles in individual ziplock bags as this will minimize oxidization when not in use. It's best to store them in a dry and dark place such as in a jewelry box or in your closet.
Avoid storing your semi-precious stones with other similar gemstone jewelry as they can leave scratches or knock against each other, which may potentially damage your gemstones.
For more jewelry care tips, you can find everything here!