Handcrafted jewelry requires special care. Tarnish and patina occur as as the metal comes in contact with the air and body oils. This is one of things that makes your piece unique and special as it ages beautifully over time. But, if you want to reduce this, store your purchase in a cool dry place with limited exposure to air. Clean the metal with a soft polishing cloth to restore its original luster.
Sterling Silver
Silver can also be easily and inexpensively cleaned using household products.
Mix baking soda into water to make a thick paste. Apply the baking soda paste to your silver pieces and let sit for a couple of minutes. Rub the paste into all the joints and crevices of the piece, then rinse with water, dry and polish with a soft dry cloth.
If your matte piece is turning shiny due to frequent wear, and you want to recreate the soft modern matte sheen, take a scotch brite pad (one of the green ones) and rub your piece gently to reintroduce a matte texture.
Copper
You can remove the tarnish from copper jewelry by soaking it in lemon juice. Turn the piece every few minutes to ensure an even cleaning. You can also take an old toothbrush and gently scrub the cracks. Rinse with water and voila! Clean copper!
Pieces with Stones
If your jewelry also has gemstones or other stones, please be extra careful when cleaning. Do not use a commercial jewelry cleanser or an ultrasonic machine as these can damage the stones. The best thing is to use a soft cloth to clean and polish your stones and sterling or copper jewelry.
