Material Care
How to Care for Your Jewellery
At Anna Reikher Jewlery, we create each piece with love and care, using quality materials and one of a kind designs. Our jewellery is designed in Milan, Italy, and made with different types of metals, such as:
- Sterling silver: This is a lightweight metal that consists of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% alloy, usually copper or brass. This makes it durable and perfect for intricate and complex designs. Sterling silver is also known as “925 Sterling Silver” or just 925 Silver.
- Polished brass: This is a metal that has a bright and shiny finish, achieved by extensive hand polishing. Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc, and it has a warm and golden tone.
- Polished bronze: This is a metal that has a smooth and glossy finish, achieved by extensive hand polishing. Bronze is an alloy of copper and tin, and it has a reddish-brown color. A safe, transparent nano-coating is added to the surface to protect it from tarnishing, but it will still naturally tarnish over time and wear.
- Brass plated metals: These are metals that are cast in brass and then under-plated with a tin-rhodium alloy to provide strength and durability. They are then plated with 0.25 microns of 14k gold, rose gold, or rhodium, giving them a beautiful shiny luster and a high level of detail. A very thin layer of nano-coating is added on top of the precious plating to protect it from wear and tarnishing, but it will rub off with time and wear.
- 14k solid gold and 14k white gold: These are metals that are made with 58.5% pure gold and 41.5% alloy, usually silver, copper, zinc, or nickel. They have a rich and luxurious color and shine, and they are resistant to tarnish and corrosion.
We want you to enjoy your jewellery for a long time, so we recommend you follow these simple tips to keep it looking beautiful and shiny.
Keep It Dry
Water and moisture can cause your jewellery to lose its shine and tarnish over time. To prevent this, avoid wearing your jewellery when showering, washing your hands, exercising, or swimming. Also, avoid spraying perfume, applying cosmetics, or using hairspray near your jewellery, as these can damage the surface.
Store It Safely
When you are not wearing your jewellery, store it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat. Do not keep your jewellery in our gift boxes for too long, as they are not designed for long-term storage. Instead, use the anti-tarnishing tab that came with your purchase to protect your jewellery from moisture. You can also use our velvet bag or a jewellery box with a soft lining to prevent scratches.
Polish It Regularly
To keep your jewellery sparkling, you can polish it regularly with a soft, dry cloth. Do not use any abrasive cleaners or brushes, as they can scratch the metal. Depending on the material of your jewellery, you can also use other methods to clean it:
- Sterling silver: You can use a silver cleaner solution or an ultrasonic cleaner to remove any dirt or tarnish. Rinse and dry thoroughly after cleaning. You can also wear your sterling silver jewellery frequently, as the oils in your skin will help to clean it. Another way to delay tarnishing is to store your sterling silver jewellery in an airtight container, preferably with an anti-tarnish strip. You can also use dish soap and water to form a lather and rub the tarnish off your silver.
- Polished brass and polished bronze: You can use a brass cleaner or a lemon juice and salt solution to remove any tarnish. Rinse and dry thoroughly after cleaning. You can also use a brass polishing cloth to restore the shine.
- Brass plated metals: You can use warm water and a mild soap to gently wipe them. Do not use any chemicals or polishing agents, as they can wear off the plating. If your jewellery needs to be re-plated, you can take it to a professional jeweler.
- 14k solid gold and 14k white gold: You can use warm water and a mild soap to gently wipe them. You can also use a gold polishing cloth to restore the shine. Do not use any chemicals or polishing agents, as they can damage the gold.
