MATERIALS & CARE
To know how to best care your jewelry, you must first understand the nature of the metal.
At Scripted Jewelry I work with sterling silver, brass and bronze. They are all alloys of copper meaning that they will tarnish with time.
Tarnish is a natural chemical reaction that occurs when the metal is exposed to oxygen. The result is a darkened patina on the surface of the metal. Some people love this look as it adds depth to their jewelry and shows that it is well loved; others greatly dislike it. 🤷🏻♀️
I choose to work with these metals because, no matter if you love or hate tarnish, they can easily be maintained at home without the need of professional tools.
MATERIALS
An alloy is a combination of two or more metals. In the purpose of jewelry making, alloys are used to change the hardness or color of certain metals.
Pure silver for example, is very soft. It scratches and bends easily and isn’t suitable for daily wear.
Copper is a much harder metal.
When you add a tiny bit of copper to the pure silver, you get sterling silver. Sterling is much more durable metal gaining strength from the copper. The downside is that it takes on its tarnishing properties as well.
Some individuals may experience a slight chemical reaction on their skin due to the copper, resulting in a greenish tint where the jewelry was resting.
It is harmless and can be washed off easily with soap and water. These effects can be minimized by keeping your metal clean and dry.
- Sterling, brass and bronze have been used for centuries in jewelry making and I can appreciate the tradition of it.
- They do not irritate sensitive skin. I have eczema on my hands. This is a BIG selling point for me.
- Gold is quickly approaching $3000 an ounce. I want my jewelry to be more attainable to the general populous. These metals closely mimic white, yellow and rose gold.
- I have discontinued selling yellow gold plated items, because I simply didn’t feel good about it.
Gold plated jewelry is composed of a base metal (in my case, sterling silver) covered by a thin layer of gold. With time, that gold layer begins to wear away from natural friction. The only solution here is to have the piece re-plated professionally, which is unrealistic for a lot of people.
My jewelry is not disposable. I want you to be able to love your piece for years and hand it down to the next generation, while maintaining it from the convenience of your home.
I am happy to work in gold on request. Reach out to Caroline@ScriptedJewelry.com for a quote. Please provide as much detail as possible, such as:
- Product
- Size
- Karat (10kt, 14kt, 18kt)
- Color (yellow, white, rose)
CARE INSTRUCTIONS
PREVENTATIVE CARE
- Remove your jewelry before swimming, showering, or using harsh chemicals.
- Take off your jewelry before engaging in high-contact activities.
- Put your jewelry on last to avoid direct contact with perfumes and body lotions.
- After wearing, wipe your jewelry down with a soft, dry cloth to remove body oils.
- Store in an airtight bag out of direct sunlight
RESTORATIVE CARE
- Wear your piece regularly. Light friction from daily wear naturally polishes your metals.
- Clean with a soft toothbrush, dish soap and water.
- Only once tarnished, polish your jewelry with a soft polishing cloth (included)
* Commercial chemicals and ultrasonic cleaners can remove the intentional oxidation and can damage delicate stones.
IT'S NOT WORKING!
Has your piece has tarnished to the point where a gentle wash and polish is no longer working?
This can happen from time to time with prolonged exposure to moisture or chemicals.
You have two choices. I offer a diy restoration kit or you can send it in for me to refinish. Keep scrolling for details.
DIY CARE AND RESTORATION
This DIY restoration and care kit includes an assortment of abrasive polishing paper and sealing wax to care for your jewelry from the comfort of your own home.
Once your kit arrives, you can follow along with me via video instruction to restore your jewelry.
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REFINISHING GUARANTEE
All orders from Scripted Jewelry come with lifetime complimentary refinishing!
When it is time for a refresh, request a service order and I would be happy to bring your piece back to life.
Jewelry sent in for refinishing will
- Have light scratches removed
- Be polished
- Components will be checked and tightened
- Be re-plated (if originally ordered as 14Kt Gold Plated)
While there is no fee for labor on this service, I do ask that you remit the cost of shipping to and from the studio. Request service below.
REQUEST SERVICE