CARE SHEET
Proper care for fine jewelry will insure its longevity. Be aware that metals do not like moisture! Always store jewelry in a clean, dry and safe location away from sharp or rough objects, including other jewelry, that can scratch it. Do not submerge jewelry in chlorine or salt water, as it will deteriorate and dull both the metal and gemstones much quicker. Also avoid contact with lotions, perfumes, detergents, cleaning agents, and other chemicals that could damage jewelry. A good rule of thumb is to put on jewelry last when you’re getting ready!
STERLING SILVER
Sterling Silver will inevitably tarnish over time with exposure to oxygen or sulfur particles in the air, so storing with the black anti-tarnish pad which is included with your purchase an airtight bag or box will slow this process down. Another preventative measure if actually wearing your jewelry often, as oils from your skin prevent tarnish. Be aware that preventing tarnish from forming is much easier than removing it later on, and removing a small amount of tarnish as it appears will be much less difficult than letting it build up for a long time. Staying on top of regular maintenance is key!
If the surface becomes tarnished, it can be easily cleaned with the white polishing cloth. For jewelry with an oxidized background layer, such as the mountain pendants, be sure to focus only on polishing the mountains and avoid touching the background as it will affect the oxidized layer, it may help to fold the cloth in a way that gives it a slight point to polish small areas.The polishing cloth can also be used on the chain and hardware as well by folding the cloth in half and gently pinching over the chain, and sliding over the surface. If your jewelry is heavily tarnished, cleaning it with warm soapy water and a soft toothbrush before polishing will help with the process.
*Polishing cloths and anti-tarnish pads will be included with every purchase of a Sterling Silver item*
GEMSTONES
It’s really important to consider the physical properties of different gemstones, such as its hardness, cleavage and how porous it is. Hardness is measured on a scale of 1-10 (Mohs hardness scale) A stone’s hardness tells you how easily it can be scratched. Diamonds are a 10, while Quartz is a 7, while Opal and Turquoise are both around 5-6, so they can be much more easily scratched than harder stones. Sterling Silver measures in at 2.5 while common household dust is estimated to be around a 7-7.5, which means dust has the potential to scratch
If maintenance is required for any jewelry purchased from Orion, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
