Jewelry Care

Sterling silver, colored gemstones and pearls all last for years with a little routine care. This guide covers how to store, clean and wear your Charizzma pieces so they keep their shine.

Know your materials

Every piece we sell is made in hallmarked 925 sterling silver: 92.5% pure silver alloyed with other metals for strength. Many pieces have a tarnish-resistant rhodium finish, and some have 14K gold-plated accents. Plated finishes are thin layers, so the gentler you are with them, the longer they will look their best.

Everyday wear

  • Put jewelry on last, after lotion, makeup, perfume and hair spray have dried.
  • Take it off before swimming, bathing, cleaning, exercising, gardening or any heavy work.
  • Keep it away from chlorine, bleach, household cleaners and salt water.
  • Remove rings by holding the band, never by pulling on the stone, so settings stay secure.
  • Wipe each piece with a soft, dry cloth after wearing to remove skin oils.

Storage

  • Store each piece separately in a soft pouch or a lined box compartment so stones and plated surfaces do not scratch each other.
  • Keep silver in a cool, dry place. An airtight bag or box with an anti-tarnish strip slows tarnishing between wears.
  • Fasten chains and lay them flat to prevent tangles and kinks.
  • Keep pearls apart from other jewelry, and do not seal them in plastic: they need a little air and moisture to stay healthy.

Cleaning sterling silver

Silver tarnishes naturally when it meets sulfur in the air, rubber, wool and some foods. Wearing your silver often actually helps keep tarnish away.

  • For light dullness, polish gently with a soft silver polishing cloth.
  • For a deeper clean, soak plain silver for a few minutes in warm water with a drop of mild, phosphate-free dish soap, then rinse and dry completely with a soft, lint-free cloth.
  • Use a very soft brush, such as a baby toothbrush, to reach into details.
  • Avoid toothpaste, baking soda, abrasive powders and harsh chemicals, which can scratch the surface.

Rhodium and gold-plated finishes

  • Clean only with mild soapy water and a soft cloth, then dry thoroughly.
  • Do not use silver dips, polishing pastes or chemically treated polishing cloths on rhodium or gold-plated areas: they can wear the finish away.
  • Avoid rubbing hard on plated accents, and store plated pieces where they will not rub against other jewelry.

Gemstones

Gemstones vary in hardness, and all of them, even durable ones, can chip or scratch from a hard knock.

  • Clean stone-set pieces with lukewarm soapy water and a soft brush, rinse quickly and dry right away. Do not leave them soaking.
  • Do not use ultrasonic or steam cleaners, silver dips or harsh chemicals on gemstone jewelry.
  • Protect stones from sudden temperature changes, long exposure to strong sunlight and high heat, which can cause fading or fractures.
  • Take extra care with softer or opaque stones such as opal, moonstone, lapis lazuli and turquoise: wipe them with a damp cloth only and keep them dry.
  • Check prongs and settings now and then; if a stone feels loose, stop wearing the piece until it can be looked at.

Looking for color you can wear every day? Browse our blue topaz jewelry or amethyst jewelry.

Pearls

  • Pearls are soft and sensitive to acids, so keep them away from perfume, cosmetics, vinegar, ammonia and chlorine. Put them on last and take them off first.
  • After each wear, wipe pearls gently with a soft, slightly damp cloth.
  • Never use jewelry cleaners, ultrasonic cleaners, brushes or abrasives on pearls.
  • Lay pearl necklaces flat to dry and to store, so strands do not stretch.

Explore our pearl jewelry for classic luster in sterling silver.

Questions?

If you are unsure how to care for a specific piece, email us at shop@charizzma.online and we will be happy to help.