Jewelry Care
Love your jewelry! Wear it often but treat it kindly. Fine jewelry should be treated as art-for-the-body and will age gracefully with proper care. The simplest and best practice daily routine for jewelry is to put it on after you apply makeup, perfume, lotions, or sunscreen, and take it off before you swim, exercise, cook, clean, or garden.
It is good to remember that only diamonds and sapphires are hard enough to withstand daily wear (and the reason that I recommend them highly for wedding and engagement rings). But they are still natural materials and can abrade or crack depending on the natural internal structures of the stone and how they are worn. If you want to keep metals and stones happy for a long time it is always a good idea to avoid things which are most likely to harm the materials. This includes avoiding chemicals found in cleaning products, pools, and hot tubs, or abrasives like soil, sand, and mineral makeups. And to protect your body as much as your jewelry, always take your jewelry off before exercising or working with machinery. Fingers get smaller when they are cold so always remove rings before swimming.
Jewelry is happiest when you wear it! Wearing your jewelry is the most effective way to keep it from tarnishing but if tarnish occurs, most jewelry can be cleaned gently with soap and warm water or with a jewelry polishing cloth. To avoid getting water behind stones with a closed back, it is best to remove them before washing your hand. All jewelry should be stored properly, in its own box, and not twisted or rubbing against other jewelry. Stone settings can loosen over time and should be checked yearly to be ensure that stones are securely set; this service is complimentary and can be done by bringing your jewelry to the studio.
A note about oxidized silver: Oxidation is a patina that changes the surface color of silver and is an enhancement of the natural reaction of sterling silver with oxygen. For this reason, it is important to avoid water and abrasives on oxidized silver. As you wear it, it will naturally brighten and change over time. If you want to keep the patina black for longer, take rings off before washing your hands and avoid rubbing the surface. Oxidized silver should never be worn on light colored or delicate fabrics as it can leave marks. Never use polish or jewelry cleaner on oxidized silver as this will remove the patina. Your jewelry can be easily re-oxidized at any time to return it to its original look by sending it back to the studio for a refresh.
Caring for your sterling silver barware
Silver barware is easy to care for, just follow these care instructions to keep it bright and shiny. Silver can react to acids and with elements in tap water, so it is important to wash and dry after use to keep silver from spotting. The matte finish ensures that it is simple to renew if tarnish occurs, simply soak your barware overnight in a solution of warm water with a few tablespoons of baking soda. You can also rub with a non-scratching scouring powder such as Bon Ami or Bar Keepers Friend. Cocktail picks are designed for use with traditional bar fruit, such as cherries and olives. Silver is softer than steel and can bend if forced through hard objects. Most importantly, enjoy your new cocktails with your elevated barware!
Sizing
Complimentary resizing is offered for most rings within 2 sizes up or down and generally sized rings are ready to ship in 1 to 2 weeks. Resizing on most rings is possible in full, half, quarter or eighth sizes. For rings that require size adjustments greater than 2 sizes up or down, please contact me to discuss your size requirements as there are some limitations to the amount a ring can be resized without damaging a stone or the integrity of the design.
The best way to get an accurate finger measurement is to be measured in person. If you are unsure of your size, you can request a sizing gauge and I will help you assess your perfect fit via a video appointment. If you have had your finger measured by another jeweler, please be aware that there are small variations in every size gauge and rings will fit differently depending on band width and stone weight. If you have any questions please contact me and I am happy to advise you. Occasionally small adjustments will have to be made to get the perfect fit. This is part of the process and I will work with you to get the right fit as quickly as possible.
Engraving
Beautiful hand-engraving can be added to your new jewelry. If you would like a special message or romantic dates engraved on your jewelry, contact me directly for possibilities and prices before purchase.
Repairs
Each piece is finely-crafted by hand and designed with longevity in mind but sometimes accidents happen. Most damage, whether due to mishap or age, can be repaired. Any damage and associated cost will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. Stones are natural materials which can abrade, chip, or crack with wear. Due to the their unique character, no guarantees are made about the longevity of gemstones, however most can be re-polished or replaced if necessary.