Jewellery Care Guide
Ornate Alchemy jewellery is intended to last a lifetime - with the proper care and attention. Please read and follow the instructions below to help you enjoy your jewellery for as long as possible.
General Advice for All Ornate Alchemy Jewellery
Avoid using any products on your jewellery (even soap and water). Some stones are porous and exposure to water could affect their overall appearance permanently.
For the same reason, care should be taken when applying perfume or hairspray near jewellery. Always put your jewellery on last, after these products have had time to dry. Even metals can discolour as a result of chemicals and oils in beauty products.
Jewellery should be removed before washing, bathing, showering, swimming and sleeping if you want to maintain its original condition.
Jewellery should go on last and come off first to avoid things getting caught and damaged.
Always remove jewellery prior to undertaking strenuous activities such as sports or gardening.
Extra care should be taken when wearing jewellery containing a stone or crystal. Accidentally knocking your piece against a heavy surface could result in a cracked or chipped stone.
When not in use, jewellery should be stored away from sunlight as it can cause some stones or crystals to fade. Keeping jewellery in its original box will also help to slow down or prevent tarnishing on metals like copper and silver.
Cleaning & Maintaining Your Jewellery
Precious Metal Jewellery
Silver and Gold
It is recommended to store your jewellery when not being worn - each item arrives in a sliding box which can be used for storage. Whilst this will minimise tarnishing, some discolouration or dulling will occur over time. A small polishing cloth is also included under the internal insert to assist with this. Simply rub the dry cloth lightly on the silver to restore its polish and shine. The cloth can also be used on pieces that include small adornments of gold.
Any darker recesses of silver have been treated to make them more pronounced. Be aware that rubbing too hard on these areas will remove this effect.
Wire wrapped steel pieces
Steel requires very little care, buffing with a soft cloth will bring up the shine if it gets dull. A dry toothbrush also works well. Wrapped pieces using steel have been designed for durability and ease of care, the softest part of the piece will be the crystal. Please pay close attention to any advice given at time of purchase about crystals in your piece.
Special note regarding copper jewellery
When your new piece of copper jewellery arrives it will be a strong copper red colour. This is very attractive but…
Copper will change colour and gradually darken when exposed to the air and when handled over time, this is a normal chemical reaction but can be alarming if you are unaware this may happen. Copper can also discolour skin over time when lying against it.
To avoid the worst effects of this your copper has been treated with a clear lacquer varnish but this will not entirely stop the natural process of decolorisation of the copper, especially over time.
Please do not use cleaning products as they contain abrasives that will damage the finish of the metal and cause damage to the stones.
Please feel free to ask any questions regarding this.
Stone & Crystal Care
If your jewellery includes a stone or crystal you must take extra care with your piece. I would strongly recommend adhering to the following advice:
Avoid contact with water and sunlight. Both can negatively effect the overall appearance of your stone or crystal.
Similarly avoid contact with chemicals and beauty products.
Talisman pendants in particular have a large surface area of crystal exposed. Care should be taken not to drop or knock your pendant as the crystal could chip, break or fracture causing irreparable damage.
If you are using your jewellery for healing purposes you should carefully research cleansing and charging methods for your particular type of crystal.