WEAR & CARE

For all your earrings:

• Store in a cool dry place, preferably in an airtight bag or container. (If you live in an area with high humidity, you can add a silica gel sachet to absorb moisture).
• Remove them before entering water.
• Remove them before sleeping.
• Remove during physical activity.
• Allow lotions and perfumes to dry before wearing.

 

Here you can find some information on each material and how to properly clean and care for them.

 

ACETATE

What is it? Acetate is a high quality, durable plastic. It's strong, non-toxic, and comes in a wide variety of styles and patterns. It’s also really lightweight.

HOW TO CARE: keep it away from intense heat and direct sunlight. When it’s heated enough it becomes flexible and could deform. Don’t leave these in a hot car. Don't store these with other sharp edged jewelry as they may get scratched. 

HOW TO CLEAN: acetate acts as a plastic. To clean oils, make-up, and daily grime off your earrings you can simply use water and a mild soap. Don’t use too hot of water and don’t scrub harshly as you may cause scratches. You can also take some rubbing alcohol and gently wipe them off. Don’t use any harsh chemicals, metal cleaning solutions, or nail polish remover.

ACRYLIC

What is it? Acrylic is a type of plastic from the polymer family that is very popular in jewelry. It's strong, versatile, and comes in a wide variety of colors and patterns. 

HOW TO CARE: keep it away from intense heat and direct sunlight. When it's heated enough it becomes flexible and could deform. The coloring could be changed by direct sunlight. Don’t leave these in a hot car. Don't store these with other sharp edged jewelry as they may get scratched. 

HOW TO CLEAN: acrylic is a plastic. To clean oils, make-up, and daily grime off your earrings you can simply use water and a mild soap. Don’t use too hot of water and don’t scrub harshly as you may cause scratches. You can also take some rubbing alcohol and gently wipe them off. Don’t use any harsh chemicals, metal cleaning solutions, or nail polish remover.

 RESIN 

What is it? Resin is  a class of polymers that when mixed with a curing/hardening agent, becomes hard and durable. It’s very versatile. It acts as a protective coating, and gives a beautiful, crystal clear shine.

HOW TO CARE: store in a cool, dry place. Avoid direct sunlight as that can cause the resin to discolor. Don’t store with other sharp edged jewelry to avoid scratches.

HOW TO CLEAN: DO NOT use rubbing alcohol, acetone, or any other cleaning solutions. This can break down the resin and cause it to become hazy or even sticky. If you need to clean a jewelry piece with resin, simply use warm water (not too hot) and a mild soap. You can use a soft bristled toothbrush or a soft damp cloth to gently remove hardened dirt and grime.

*What if the earring is polymer clay with resin on top?

You can clean each side of the piece with the appropriate cleaning solution. For example, warm soapy water won’t harm the clay. You can clean the entire piece with warm soapy water, then gently clean the clay side with acetone or rubbing alcohol, being careful to not let any acetone or alcohol touch the resin. 

 

POLYMER CLAY

What is it? Polymer clay is a moldable clay made of polymers that once baked, will act as a plastic. It’s super lightweight. They come in a wide range of colors that can be mixed to make any custom color.

HOW TO CARE: keep them in a clean, dry place when not being used. Be careful not to store them with other sharp edged jewelry as the surface could get scratched. They can get wet but don’t make it a habit.

HOW TO CLEAN: the easiest way to clean dirt and make-up off your clay earrings is to grab a cotton swab and soak it in rubbing alcohol or acetone and gently rub it on the dirty area. It cleans nicely and won’t leave any residue on your earrings.

 

WOOD

It’s very delicate, lightweight, and versatile. It can be beautiful natural or when painted.

HOW TO CARE: store in a cool, dry place. Store it away from other jewelry that may have sharp edges to avoid gouges or scratches. Keep it dry, don’t be wearing these in a downpour as the wood could get warped.

HOW TO CLEAN: be very gently when cleaning wood pieces. Avoid abrasive cleaners or harsh scrubbing. Many of the wood pieces will be painted and all will be sealed with a protective coating. If you’re too abrasive cleaning the wood, it can chip the coating and paint. Don’t submerge in water. Don’t use any solvents or cleaners. Only use a soft damp cloth and gently rub away dirt and grime.

 

STAINLESS STEEL

What is it? Stainless steel is a metal alloy that is highly resistant to corrosion. It won’t rust or tarnish. It’s a good quality metal that’s inexpensive. You can wear it out in the elements and it’s fine to wear while swimming (only for earrings that are 100% stainless steel)

HOW TO CARE: this stuff is durable, keep sharped edged stainless steel jewelry away from more delicate jewelry.

HOW TO CLEAN: simply use warm water and a mild soap. You can also use a damp cloth or bristled toothbrush if there’s a build of up dirt and grime.

 

ZINC ALLOY

What is it? Zinc alloy is a combination between at least two metals, such as zinc and aluminum or zinc and copper. This is a very common metal used in inexpensive jewelry. There are pros and cons to zinc alloy. It’s lead free, non-toxic, and lightweight. It can be easy to mold in intricate and unique designs. The cons are it will tarnish due to oxidation. It’s also weaker than other metals. Don’t try and bend zinc alloy pieces, there is a possibility of breakage.

HOW TO CARE: store in a cool dry place. After use, it’s a good idea to clean off the brass from the dirt, make-up, and oils that have accumulated during the day. If you’re not wearing them every day, store them in an airtight container or plastic bag to reduce the amount of oxygen they’re exposed to. Don’t shower or swim while wearing these. Avoid harsh chemicals such as perfume, hairspray, make-up remover, or other household cleaners.

HOW TO CLEAN: after use, it’s a good idea to wipe off the day’s make-up, dirt, and grime with a soft cloth. You can use a mild soap and lukewarm water to wash them to get skin oils off the piece. If you need to, use a soft bristled toothbrush to clean the harder-to-reach places. Rinse and dry thoroughly when finished. You can also purchase a dedicated brass polishing cloth to polish off small amounts of tarnish.

 

RAW BRASS

What is it? Raw brass is a copper alloy made of copper and zinc. It’s referred to as ‘raw’ due to no coating or lacquer being applied. It’s durable, strong, long lasting, and relatively inexpensive. What I don’t love is when copper and zinc are exposed to oxygen, the metal will tarnish. Oils from your skin can also contribute to this process. This is inevitable. After time, the raw brass can develop a patina (blue/green coloring). The good news is you can polish brass so it can return to looking just like new. You can also apply a protective lacquer to help prevent tarnishing (I do not provide this on my brass jewelry). 

HOW TO CARE: store in a cool dry place. After use, it’s a good idea to clean off the brass from the dirt, make-up, and oils that have accumulated during the day. If you’re not wearing them every day, store them in an airtight container or plastic bag to reduce the amount of oxygen they’re exposed to. Don’t shower or swim while wearing these. Avoid harsh chemicals such as perfume, hairspray, make-up remover, or other household cleaners. Keep them as dry as possible to eliminate water stains. 

HOW TO CLEAN & POLISH:

Quick note: brass can have a brushed look (fine lines), polished look (high shine), or raw look (natural and untreated). 

There are many ways to revamp your brass, too many to mention here. I’m listing my favorite way to polish raw brass.

My preferred method is using a liquid solution. Manually polishing such as with fine grit sandpaper, a fingernail polishing block, or a rotary tool polishing attachment will cause small scratches to appear, giving it a grained or brushed look. This may be desirable to some as it can add a dynamic aesthetic quality to the brass. 

Brasso: this is my #1 all-time favorite way to clean brass. It’s inexpensive and can be used on many metal surfaces. It cleans brass quickly and I love the results every time. Follow the directions on the bottle. An 8 oz. bottle costs roughly $5. A little goes a long way.

TIP: you can use a soft bristled toothbrush to clean hard-to-reach places and make any excess dirt and grime come off more easily.

If your earrings get wet, make sure you dry your brass pieces immediately and thoroughly so water spots don’t form.

With proper care, your brass pieces can last a lifetime.

 

FAQ:

*What if my earrings have multiple different materials, how do I clean them?”

If you want to deep clean a pair of earrings, you can separate the pieces using small pliers. Simply take the pliers and twist the small jump rings that connect the pieces. Instead of pulling the rings apart, twist the ends away from each other. This method makes it easy to close them again once you’re done cleaning. Take each piece and clean it according to its material.