When designing and creating our signature collections, we go to great lengths to ensure that we use only the highest quality, fairly traded metals, gemstones and materials. Therefore, to advise you on how to keep your handmade, precious Charlotte's Web goods in the very best condition possible, we decided to focus this week´s blog on how to help you to ensure that your chosen piece from Charlotte’s Web shines as brightly as it can!
AVOID JADED JEWELLERY
All precious jewellery requires a little care and attention to keep it looking its best. Many everyday factors can influence the wear and tear on jewellery; therefore, we have some insider hints and tips to help you to preserve your precious pieces! Always ensure that your jewellery is properly cleaned, repaired and stored. As with all of the finer things in life, jewellery is precious and delicate. Protect your jewellery from sharp blows, scratching, chemicals, sunlight and direct heat/cold by storing it carefully in a soft lined box or pouch, and always try to keep separate pieces apart. Try to ensure that you remove your jewellery when applying perfume, lotions and potions, and even better, always make your jewellery the last thing you put on when getting dressed. Perhaps the most important fact to consider is to always avoid wearing your jewellery whilst cleaning, washing or swimming as this can accelerate the tarnishing.
SUBLIME SILVER
When caring for your silver jewellery, for example one of our signature Rajput Precious Stone Silver Spinning bangle, always wash it gently in warm soapy water, ensuring that it is rinsed thoroughly and dried before storing. Another way to ensure lasting shine and scratch free silver is to polish your favourite pieces with a soft cloth. As with most precious metals, sterling silver can tarnish over time, although, this is less likely to happen as quickly if regularly worn, and properly cared for.
GORGEOUS GEMSTONES
Dust, pollution and daily wear are all factors which conspire to cloud the brilliance of a gemstone and can dull the surface of precious metals. As both creators and lovers of fine jewellery ourselves, we always advise you to treat your gemstone pieces as you would with any beloved possession, and store, clean and care for it gently and carefully. Take care in summer time to avoid salt water and harsh chemicals such as chlorine, bleach or other detergents as they can cause lasting damage, eroding the finish and polish of the gems, leaving them dull. Hairspray, perfume and are other common culprits, and should be regularly removed from your jewellery. All of our vibrant, precious gemstones can be kept sparkling using a simple mixture of washing up liquid, warm water and either a sponge or an old toothbrush. For gemstone rings, such as our gorgeous chunky gemstone spinning ring use the toothbrush to gently clean the gemstone, including behind the stone.
BEAUTIFUL BRASS
Brass is made from a combination of zinc and copper, and may tarnish easily when exposed to the air. To keep your brass jewellery pieces looking as new and super shiny, just like our Karma Spinning Charm necklace, which features a central brass band, simply follow these tips. Squirt some ketchup or Worcester sauce into your hand and rub over the tarnished jewellery. Then rinse and wipe clean with a damp cloth and buff dry. If your brass item is simply dirty rather than tarnished, submerging it in warm soapy water and cleaning with a soft cloth could do the trick. Use a toothbrush to gently scrub extra dirty areas. Straight lemon juice can be used to clean brass and bring back the brilliant shine. After cleaning with lemon juice, wipe with a damp cloth and buff dry. (You can buy specialised brass cleaners but we prefer these more eco friendly cleaning methods)
In the unlikely event that your skin may react to the metals, and turn a slightly green shade, this can be due to many factors, maybe something you've eaten, or how your body reacts to the silver. This is not a reflection of the quality of the metals we use, rather each person’s individual physical makeup, most specifically the acidity levels in your body. Perspiration also speeds up the reaction, so try to avoid wearing jewellery which may turn your skin green on extremely hot days or on when exercising. We sincerely hope that none of our pieces will have an adverse effect on your skin, however, in the unlikely event that this does happen, then please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Using these simple tricks and tactics will ensure that every item you choose from Charlotte´s Web will keep its shine and vibrancy for as long as possible, allowing you to enjoy the maximum pleasure from your chosen piece. Enjoy!
