Jewelry care

To ensure you can enjoy your new favorite pieces of jewelry for a long time, it's important to care for them regularly. Here's how to give your jewelry the care it deserves.

 

Cleaning jewelry

Do you wear your jewelry regularly during various activities and sometimes even leave it on to sleep? It can get a little dirty from time to time due to sweat, cosmetics, and other things. To preserve the beauty of your jewelry for as long as possible, you should clean it, preferably regularly.

How best to clean your gold chain, earrings, or rings depends on the material. However, the following always applies: treat your jewelry as gently as possible, remove it when exercising and sleeping, and avoid contact with cleaning products and cosmetics. This will keep your jewelry sparkling and beautiful for a long time.

 

Why does jewelry tarnish or become dull?

The “tarnishing” of the material is basically nothing other than a chemical reaction: the oxidation (aka reaction with oxygen). This causes silver to develop a dark patina and gold to lose its shine. Rhodium plating our silver jewelry, i.e., an additional coating on the material, delays tarnishing. But don't worry: While oxidation can't be completely avoided, it can at least be slowed down with proper care and easily removed with careful cleaning.

By the way, stainless steel jewelry doesn't tarnish, and its color doesn't change even with regular contact with water. This also applies to gold-plated stainless steel jewelry, which doesn't lose its gold plating over time. Here you can find more information about our jewelry materials

 

General tips and tricks

Your favorite jewelry is exposed to all sorts of "hazards" in everyday life. Therefore, there are a few things you should keep in mind when caring for and storing it:

Caution:

  • Corrosive: 
    Jewelry should not be cleaned with chemicals come into contact with gold, as they attack the material and gold plating. Therefore, rings, Bracelets It's best to take off your jewelry when doing housework.
  • Hydrophobicity: 
    Gold-plated jewelry generally lasts longer if it's not exposed to too much water. If you can't go without your jewelry while showering or swimming, opt for stainless steel jewelry or a non-gold-plated version.
  • Safe and sound: 
    In a closed jewelry box Your favorite necklaces, earrings, and other items will feel right at home, as they are protected from moisture and excessive oxygen. 

You can find more tips in our guide to Jewelry storage.

 

Which material should be cared for and how?

Proper cleaning depends on the jewelry material. Jewelry materials are like skin types: each requires specific care tailored to its needs. Here's how to give your jewelry the care it deserves: 

  • Stainless steel: 
    Since stainless steel neither rusts nor tarnishes, you usually only need to polish it with a soft cloth to restore its shine. If your stainless steel jewelry does get dirty, you can simply clean it with lukewarm water, a little soap or dish soap, and a soft toothbrush.
  • Sterling Silver: 
    Tarnished silver can be made to shine either with a silver polishing cloth or a bath of lukewarm water, salt, and a strip of aluminum foil. For particularly heavily oxidized silver, you can clean it with a silver bath from a drugstore or jeweler.
  • Gold plating: 
    When cleaning yellow gold or rose gold-plated jewelry, avoid using aggressive cleaning methods, as the gold plating can peel off sterling silver over time. Lukewarm water, a mild soap, and a soft cloth are usually sufficient for care. Above all, make sure to dry your jewelry thoroughly and gently.

 

Crystal bracelet care guide

Your bracelet is not meant to be worn in the water. Minerals and chlorine added to most tap water and swimming pools can harm the natural stones and metal spacer beads. Some crystals like Angelite also have a low hardness which makes it a relatively soft stone that does not like to come in contact with water. If you accidentally wear your bracelet while your hands are submerged in water, make sure to dry them off right away.

Take off your bracelet before working out
Your crystal bracelet is meant for everyday wear however, to avoid scratching the natural stones or overly stretching the elastic cord, we recommend that you take off your bracelet before working out or doing anything really active.

Protect your bracelet from harsh chemicals
Lotions, harsh soaps, and even sweat can create build-up and discoloration between the crystals. If you are cleaning with household cleaners, applying lotions and oils, makeup, hair spray, or perfume take off your bracelet until you are done.

Store your bracelet in a clean, dry place
All OMG crystal bracelets come with a pouch. Use it to protect your bracelets when not worn. You can also store your bracelet inside of a jewelry box or other clean, dry place.

Clean your bracelet with warm water and a mild soap when needed
If you see any discoloration or build up on or in between your beads you can clean your bracelet with warm water and a mild soap. Gently scrub the beads with a wet soft cloth and a tiny amount of a mild soap. Rinse under warm water, and dry gently with a clean soft cloth.

 

Flower jewelry care guide

Floral jewelry stands out as a masterpiece crafted by nature itself. At OMG, we bring you an exquisite collection of real flower necklaces, bracelets, earrings, delicately preserved in resin. These wearable pieces of art not only add a touch of nature to your ensemble but also require special care to ensure they blossom for years to come.

  • Handle with Care:
    While our jewelry is resilient, it's essential to handle it with care. Avoid dropping or knocking the pieces against hard surfaces to prevent damage.
  • Keep Away from Chemicals:
    Chemicals found in perfumes, hairsprays, and cleaning agents can accelerate the aging of the flowers. Put on your floral jewelry after applying such products to ensure their longevity.
  • Store Properly:
    When not adorning your favorite piece, store it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Sunlight may cause the flowers to fade over time.
  • Avoid Water Exposure:
    While our jewelry is water-resistant, prolonged exposure to water is not advisable. Remove it before swimming or bathing to prevent any potential damage.
  • Clean Gently:
    Use a soft, damp cloth to gently wipe away any dust or dirt. Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive materials that might scratch the resin.
  • Occasional Checking:
    Periodically check the fastenings and clasps for any signs of wear. Promptly address any issues to avoid accidental loss.