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Store Hours: Monday - Saturday 11-6 + Sunday 12-5

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Materials FAQ & Product Care

 Our designers work with many different high-quality materials and metals. Here is our materials guide and how to take care of your purchases to keep them beautiful!

First, because everyone has a different chemical balance within their body, this can affect how different types of metals wear on your skin. We recommend the following jewelry care guide:

  • Water promotes oxidation.
    • We reccomend to remove your jewelry before you swim, shower, participate in sweat-inducing workouts, or any activity that water would come in contact with your jewelry.
  • Be gentle with your jewels!
    • Direct contact with chemicals in hairspray, perfume, lotions, and cosmetics is not recommended.  Harsh jewelry cleansers or cloths with abrasive compounds can cause damage.  We recommend using a polishing cloth to gently remove any oils or tarnish. If you are in the neighborhood, we are happy to clean a piece of your embellish jewelry, free of charge, while you shop! 
  • Sterling Silver An alloy of 92.5% fine silver and 7.5% other metal (often copper) to provide stability.
    • Silver naturally tarnishes when in contact with oxygen and sulphur.
    • When you are not wearing your sterling silver jewelry, we recommend storing it in a sealed plastic bag (like a Ziploc) to prevent tarnishing.
    • As silver is soft, the best way to clean it is with a non-abrasive and very soft jewelry polishing cloth.
  • Goldfill / Goldfilled “Gold-filled” is a USA industry standard that legally requires 1/20th, or 5% pure gold by weight.
    • It’s a strictly regulated process that involves pressure bonding multiple thick layers of solid gold with extreme heat over a core of high quality jeweler’s brass resulting in durable, quality real gold product.
    • Goldfill or Goldfilled jewelry wears the same as solid gold, so it will not tarnish but it will get dirty from wear.
    • To polish, we recommend a very soft toothbrush or cloth and gentle dish soap.
  • Gold Vermeil is a high quality form of gold plating in which a thick layer of gold (this must be more than 2.5 microns and is usually between 14k – 22k gold) is coated upon sterling silver.
    • Gold vermeil can be washed with a small amount of gentle dish soap or non-chemical soap and warm water.
    • Rinse well and allow to dry on a cloth or paper towel. Use a soft, non-abrasive cloth or jewelry cloth and gently rub the surface in a circular motion to clean.
  • Gold Plated jewelry is made by bonding a very thin layer of gold over another metal.
    • This process creates a layer somewhere from 1/1000 to 3/1000 of an inch of gold over a more affordable metal, usually silver or copper.
    • Gold Plated jewelry will still tarnish and gently cleaning with a non-chemical cloth can help maintain the finish.
  • Brass & Bronze 
    • Brass or Bronze will darken with wear. If you do prefer this dark patina.
    • Avoid getting your brass jewelry wet.
    • A commercial brass cleaner like "JAX" will restore the original shine to your piece.
    • We've also found a soft toothbrush and ketchup to be effective in cleaning brass.

OTHER MATERIALS

  • Leather
    • Avoid getting leather jewelry, accessories, and bags wet.
    • Keeping them dry and clean will keep them in their best condition.
    • Leather wears in over time which adds to its beauty.
    • Leather bags "give" to accommodate what you are carrying.
    • Leather is a natural product so always expect subtle variance in appearance...making it even more unique and beautiful.
    • Should you choose to apply something to protect your leather bags, we suggest a beeswax leather cream and follow the instructions on the label.
    • Be sure not to use on suede or printed leather and always test in a small hidden area first.
  • Vegan Leather
    • For those avoiding animal products, vegan leather is an alternative.
    • Made from PU (polyurethane), this material works well for bags and accessories.
    • To clean, easily cleaned with an unscented soap and water and wipe dry.
    • Our designers working with Vegan Leather use only the highest quality materials that have passed strict standards testing.
    • A great option for Chicago and midwest weather!