How to take care of the jewellery

The colour change of the jewellery happens mainly due to the oxidation of the metals with the air. It happens naturally to all kinds of metals, including silver and gold.

The materials used in The Sui Studio are all precious metals, solid 925 sterling silver and gold. They are from a leading company in Barcelona. It is the company that I have bought the materials from since the first day I started my studio. The quality of the materials is secure and promising.

Maintenance

925 Sterling silver

Despite of the fact that 925 sterling silver is one of the best metals for everyday wear, there are a few things to pay attention to for maintenance.

925 sterling silver is an alloy. It contains 92.5% is silver and 7.5% copper. The copper reacts to moisture and sulphur in the air, causing the sterling silver tarnish.

In order to keep the silver colour fresh, it is recommended to avoid humidity when you are not wearing the piece.

Keep the jewellery in a cotton bag/a box from our package in a cool, dry place so it can minimize the contact with the air and prevent it from tarnishing.
Never mix the jewelleries of different metals together in the same bag or box as this will increase the competition between the metals for the oxidation.
Showering with the jewellery is not harmful but it could affect the look of the silver because of the chlorine or salts in the water. It is better to remove the jewellery before showering.
Keep the jewelleries off until you finish applying the perfume, hairspray, deodorant or lotions. The chemicals can speed up the tarnishing process.
Make sure to take off the jewelleries when doing things that involve sunlight, chemicals, water and sweat. Keeping your silver jewellery DRY is the best way.

Oxidized silver

Oxidized silver is just a surface treatment. Underneath it is still 925 sterling silver. The surface has been intentionally darkened by a chemical process, which brings no harm at all to wear. Like other plating metals, the internal colour and properties of 925 sterling silver remain unchanged but the colour will fade and wear off, which is inevitable though that gives another characteristic of a greyish mystical look.

If you want to have your piece oxidized again, feel free to contact me. I am pleased to restore the dark colour of the work. (only for the jewellery from The Sui Studio)

Gold-plated silver

For the earrings and bangles, there is a 2-micron thick 18ct gold plating on silver. It is of high quality plating to give the color of 24ct gold. For the rings, the plating is 3-micron thick. Usually the plating on earrings lasts the longest it has less phyical touch than rings and bangles. In order to last the plating on rings and bangles, try to avoid wearing it when washing hands and showering. If the plating comes off, please feel free to get in touch for re-plating.

Further reminders

All jewelleries in The Sui Studio are made of solid 925 sterling silver or gold. They are all nickel-free.

If it happens the situation that your skin turns green, that’s because of the reaction between the copper from the sterling silver and your skin. The pH levels on your skin reacts with the copper to create the green colour. This situation happens to some people due to the pH levels on their skin. The green colour on the skin is NOT a health hazard. In fact, 925 sterling silver is a 100% non-reactive metal and it is safe for sensitive skin.

Jewellery cleaning

When the jewellery got tarnished, you can clean it with vinegar and baking soda. The proportion is half cup of vinegar with 2 tablespoons of baking soda. Leave the jewellery in the mixture for an hour. Then rinse with clean water and dry well with soft cloth.

If you jewellery is not yet tarnished but the colour looks dull, you can simply use a soft cloth dipped with a few drops of dish soap with warm water to rub the jewellery. Then rinse with cool water and dry well. This only applies to the jewellery in 925 sterling silver and gold. ( not oxidized nor gold-plated silver)