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jewelry CARE GUIDE
Your jewelry is made by hand with so much love. Please keep loving your jewelry so you can enjoy them for a lifetime.
Your Gardens of the Sun jewelry is made of sterling silver, fine silver and 18 karat gold. These can all be cleaned with the soft cloth you'll receive along with your purchase. If you like, you can also purchase soap nuts for a very gentle and natural cleaning experience.
jewelry CARE BASICS
REGULAR QUICK CHECKS to protect your jewelry
One of the most important, basic things you can do yourself to protect your jewelry and keep it in stellar condition for years, is inspecting it regularly. If you notice the beginnings of damage in the first place you can prevent further damage. Before you put on your jewelry, take a few moments to carefully look it over.
What to look for when inspecting your jewelry
- If your jewelry has prongs, check the prongs are not loose, not overly worn and have even length
- Hold the jewelry to your ear and shake gently - if you hear a rattling sound, your stone might be loose
If one of the prongs of your gemstone or diamond setting seems loose or overly worn, take it to a professional jeweler to fix it before one of your stones comes loose.
But really – just admire your jewelry often! You might notice any issues early on and can minimize potentially costly repairs and prevent lost stones. If you notice anything worrisome, feel free to send us a photo and we can assess whether it’s time for a touch-up.
But really – just admire your jewelry often! You might notice any issues early on and can minimize potentially costly repairs and prevent lost stones. If you notice anything worrisome, feel free to send us a photo and we can assess whether it’s time for a touch-up.
REGULAR QUICK Clean your jewelry
Dirt and oil build up will block the brilliance of your stone. If you don’t regularly clean your jewelry, the sparkle of your gemstone won’t be living up to its potential.
Regularly wipe your precious gemstone jewelry with a clean, soft damp cloth after wearing, and take them off when you put on lotions and creams. If creams or lotions at the back of the stone make it look dull, a moist cotton bud or very soft brush can work miracles. This little habit will ensure that your jewelry always looks its best.
Regular Quick Checks to Protect Your Jewelry
We recommend cleaning your jewelry once every few weeks.
How to clean your jewelry
To clean, let your jewelry sit in some lukewarm water with a few drops of detergent, dish soap or - your best option - soap nut. Then brush with a soft-bristled toothbrush.
jewelry cleaning kit
simple cleaning kit
This soap nut is everything you need. Absolutely gentle on any metals and even the softest stones, this soap nut is a natural cleaning agent that can do the job. Simply rub the soap nut with a soft-bristled wet toothbrush until it foams, then scrub the jewelry gently. Lastly, dry the jewelry thoroughly with a clean cloth and let it air dry.
Know When to Wear Your Jewelry
(and When Not)
Know when to wear your jewelry, and use your best judgment for when to leave it in your jewelry box. Diamonds may be the hardest natural occurring material in the world, they can still bruise or chip. Find that sweet spot between resisting the urge to take your ring off every time you wash your hands (too many leave them behind!) and resisting the urge to wear gemstone or diamond rings when doing physical activities.
Jewelry is meant to be worn often. In fact, wearing a jewelry piece everyday won’t lower its value – you just need to be mindful of when to not wear your jewelry to avoid permanent damage.
Best jewelry storage tips
- Put on your jewelry last, after make up, lotions and perfume
- Take off your jewelry first
- Don’t wear any jewelry when doing outdoor activities, including swimming
Storing your jewelry
The general rule of storing your jewelry, no matter what the metals or gemstones, is to store it in an airtight container. This is because humidity is an enemy to any precious metals and gemstones. Ideally, use a jewelry box lined with flannel to absorb the moisture.
If you have plenty of jewelries, invest in a jewelry box with various compartments so you can store the jewelry pieces individually. Otherwise, use the flannel bag which usually comes together with the jewelry piece when you’re making a purchase.
If humidity is a problem, you can place a piece of chalk, a packet of activated charcoal, or a package of silica gel in your jewelry box.
Your bathroom is also the most convenient yet the worst possible place for you to store your jewelry because of the humidity. Better to store it in your bedroom.
Best jewelry storage tips
- Store in airtight container with flannel lining or little ziplock bags
- Avoid storing your jewelry in the bathroom
- Invest in a jewelry box with different compartments to store multiple items individually
silver JEWELRy
SIlver jewelry wear tips
You can avoid tarnishing by wearing your jewelry often, as the oils on your skin will "clean" the silver and keep it looking shiny.
In most cases, the metal will still become dull or darken with normal wear. This is because lotions, direct sunlight, soap, detergents, perfume, contact with household chemicals, salt water, chlorine in swimming pools and even perspiration all take their toll on fine jewelry and tend to accelerate tarnishing. But this is unavoidable. All you need is to know how to clean it properly.
All in all, sterling silver is still an easy and affordable choice for everyday wear.
Oxidized silver
Oxidized silver is like uno reverse card when it comes to tarnish! Over time, your oxidized silver jewelry will reveal its shine with regular wear. This is because the oxidized finish is ‘wiped off’ by the oil and sweat on your skin. You can always send it back to us to have it re-oxidized.
SIlver jewelry cleaning tips
Cleaning jewelry can be done at home and without any chemicals or electronics. In fact, the simplest and best way to clean it is by using warm water and mild soap.
Make sure to properly dry your silver jewelry after cleaning, especially silver chains, to avoid tarnishing. Never store your jewelry when it’s still damp.
Basic cleaning
→ Use warm water and mild soap
→ Clean your jewelry with a soft bristled brush
→ Dry with a soft cloth after each use
When all steps are done properly, your jewelry will look as fresh as new.
You may also take sterling silver to a jewelry spa and have it thoroughly cleansed with ultrasonic cleaner. If your jewelry has gemstones, be very careful with this method and check if your gemstones can withstand this first.
Oxidized silver
Our oxidized silver jewelry is intended to look darkened, matte and black, so please don't polish it! Ever. Any solution will remove the oxidation patina.
It's best to keep your oxidized silver jewelry away from any cleaning agents. We recommend a clean cloth and lukewarm water to clean oxidized silver jewelry.
SIlver jewelry storing tips
Use flannel bags to avoid tarnishing.
Keep link or chain bracelets unclasped or unhooked to prevent tangling.
Oxidized silver
Store oxidized silver like how you would store sterling silver or gold jewelry. But be mindful to keep your oxidized silver jewelry separate from your sterling silver jewelry,
as the oxidation may tarnish your shiny silver jewelry. Wouldn't want that to happen!
GOLD JEWELRy
gold jewelry wear tips
Pure gold is soft. So 18k gold is softer than 14k gold. But rest assured, you can still wear 18k gold everyday. Since gold with different gold content has a different hardness, it’s more prone to scratching. It’s better not to stack your gold rings of different gold content, to avoid wear and tear, and keep them looking their best for longer.
To keep it safe, avoid wearing your jewelry when doing strenuous, outdoor activities.
gold jewelry cleaning tips
For gold, use the safest method there is: lukewarm water and mild soap. I
You may consider an ultrasonic cleaner for a deeper clean. If your gold jewelry has gemstones, be very careful with this method and check if your gemstones can withstand this first.
gold jewelry STOruing tips
18 karat gold is the most premium gold jewelry because it contains the highest number of pure gold (75%) without compromising its durability. As a comparison, 14 karat gold only has a 58% gold content. Pure gold doesn’t tarnish, so having a higher percentage of gold means it’s more resistant to tarnish. To keep its shine, keep your gold jewelry in an airtight container with flannel lining.
When storing gold jewelry of different gold content together, keep in mind that they may scratch each other more than jewelry of the same gold content. So keep your 14k and 18k gold from touching and potentially scratching each other.
gemstone cleaning and storing tips
Cleaning and Storing Your Diamond Jewelry
Since diamond sits highest on Mohs scale, it’s the most resistant to scratches. But diamonds can also scratch all other gemstones easily, from rubies to pearls. Make sure to keep your diamond jewelry separate from other gemstone jewelry, especially the softer ones, like pearls, opals, or turquoise.
Diamonds handle scratches really well. For a longer-lasting wear, choose diamonds in bezel setting to prevent chipping.
Diamond’s sparkle is a result of light entering through stone and reflected back to us. So if your diamond is looking dull, it might be because a layer of goop has developed on its surface. Anything from hand lotion to hair spray can cause this dirt to build up.
To clean it, wash it with warm water and mild soap, use a very soft brush if necessary. Give it a good rinse and let it dry.
White diamonds can be cleaned with ultrasonic or steam cleaner, but salt and pepper diamonds are better off cleaned manually.
Cleaning and Storing Your Gemstone Jewelry
Keep your gemstone jewelry in separate bags or containers (ideally, a soft pouch). This way you reduce the chance of scratching.
Avoid direct contact with water (salt or pool water with chlorine) and chemicals such as bleach, sulfur and detergents will erode the finish and polish of the gems leaving them dull. Hairspray, perfume, lotions and excessive perspiration can also cause dullness if not regularly cleaned off.
Take off your jewelry before doing household chores or gardening to avoid knocking out stones, and it's a good idea to take off your jewelry before applying creams and lotions. Gemstone settings can get clogged up with cream easily. There's a reason ladies get dressed with jewelry last, as a finishing touch!
Clean your gemstone regularly with mild soap and warm water. Gemstones can also look dull because of minor scratches from dust. When this happens, a more specialized jeweler may be able to offer a repolish.
When you're not wearing your soft gemstone jewelry, store in a soft pouch or plastic bag. Please note that pearls and opals should be stored in fabric instead of plastic because they like to "breathe".
Only clean soft gemstones with a gentle wash (again, warm water and mild soap). Pearls and many softer gemstones can't stand the force of cleaning agents or ultrasonic cleaners.
Avoid wearing soft gemstones everyday. If you want to wear them everyday, consider wearing them as earrings or a necklace.
Jewelry Boxes and Ring Boxes for Jewelry Storage
ring boxes
If you’re becoming a ring collector or some sort, use this multi ring box to store your rings. It keeps up to 12 rings (and earrings!) in separate sections without the rings touching one another. And what a joy it is to see these beautiful rings tucked safely in place every morning!
Keep your wedding band and engagement ring separate from other jewelry in this walnut ring box.
Two discreet magnets are hidden underneath the timber to help hold the box firmly together, while the inner suede fabric protects each ring.
If you have a special ring you want to wear only on certain occasions, set it aside and put it in this velvet star ring box. Handcrafted out of luxurious velvet, this velvet jewelry box comes in 30+ colors.