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Handcrafted Jewellery

Materials & Care

Here’s everything you need to know about your Angela Wozniak jewellery

OUR MATERIALS

Handcrafted Jewellery Northern Beaches

What is Tarnish?

Tarnish is a very natural process, it's all chemistry. Tarnish is a very thin layer of oxidisation that forms over gold or sterling silver when outermost layer undergoes a chemical reaction when it reacts with the oxygen and sulphur in the air. It often appears as a dull, gray or black film or coating. The rate at which your jewellery will tarnish depends on the humidity of the air, the acidity of your skin, exposure to water and how you store your jewellery.

Pure gold is a very stable element, non-toxic and is even editable. Pure gold will never tarnish but it is too soft to be used in jewellery design. 

How can I prolong the life of my jewellery?

Practice correct storage

When you are not wearing your jewellery keep each piece stored separately in air tight zip lock bag or the original box packaging in a dry place. Ensuring minimal exposure to the air and moisture will slow down the natural tarnishing of your metals. This is especially important in humid countries and will also prevent knocks and scratches against other jewellery and objects.

Clean regularly

It is recommended to clean your jewellery carefully and regularly with a soft lint free (micro fiber) cleaning cloth after each wear to remove sweat, oils and other chemicals. If using a professional jewellery-cleaning product, always read the manufacturers instructions.

Avoid water, moisture and chemicals

The best way to keep jewellery from getting tarnished is not to let it be in contact with water. When you are washing your hands, showering or swimming (Chlorine in pools may cause the metals in jewellery to crack) make sure you take off your rings, bracelets, bangles and earrings. If it starts raining, run for cover. It your jewellery does get wet, dry with a lint free (micro fiber) cleaning cloth.

Remove jewellery when sweating

Sweating when wearing your jewellery is sure way to allow it to tarnish easily. Jewellery will very quickly tarnish readily on the skin if enough salt is present, aided by warmth and free access of air. Don't wear your jewellery to the gym or when exercising. If you are wearing your jewellery outdoors in the heat such as the beach use an absorbent powder, free of zinc oxide, on the skin areas which come into contact with your jewellery.

Avoid contact with creams and lotions

Put on your perfume, moisturiser, deodorant, sunscreen, makeup and hairspray, insect repellant before you put on your jewellery, but allow them to absorb into your skin first so that there is minimal contact with these creams and chemicals.

Handcrafted Jewellery Northern Beaches

Does plated jewellery fade?

All plated jewellery will wear off over time as layers of the plating are worn away to reveal the base metal. The speed at which it wears off depends on how you care for your jewellery, the acidity of your skin and how thick the plating is. Please read our jewellery care tips below to prolong the life of your jewellery.

It is normal that gold and silver plated jewellery will tarnish and fade to reveal the original color of the base metal underneath. The speed in which plating wears off depends on how thick the plating is and how fast it tarnishes. The higher quality the plating the better protected is your jewellery. At Angela Wozniak Jewellery we only stock plated jewellery which is 2.5+ microns thick and for gold only 14k+ karats.