We believe that jewelry is so much more than a reflection of your style -- it can symbolize a promise, mark a special occasion, and even indicate (or facilitate!) change in your life. Help ensure that the pieces you love are on hand for a lifetime by following our guidelines on proper jewelry care.

keep it clean
Whether your jewelry needs a soak or a simple polishing up, the key to keeping your pieces sparkly is treating them gently. Regular buffing with a soft, cotton cloth will help keep sterling silver shiny, and loose dirt can be removed with a mixture of mild liquid soap and warm water applied with a children's toothbrush. Commercial cleaners are available to remove tarnish (a darkening of the silver caused by a reaction between the metal, sulfur and air), but make sure you choose one that is safe for gemstones if they are part of the design.

mini storage
Storing with care when you're not wearing it can lengthen the life and beauty of your jewelry. Beaded designs should always be stored flat to keep them from tangling and stretching, and gemstone pieces should be separated so they don't nick or scratch each other. You can keep tarnish to a minimum on sterling silver by wrapping each piece in a soft cloth and storing it in a sealable plastic bag.

Written by Marilyn Oliviera