Materials Used

My sterling silver is 92.5% sterling and the remaining 7.5% is an alloy of copper and zinc. THERE IS NO NICKEL IN MY SILVER. It is the copper additive that makes sterling silver tarnish. To slow the tarnishing process, store your jewelry in a zip top bag when not wearingit. Sterling silver does darken over time and will never be as bright as the day it was purchased.

Make a paste with baking soda and warm water. Scrub with a soft toothbrush and rinse well.

 

14K gold-filled wire is made by heat and pressure bonding a thin layer of 14K gold to a brass core. The ratio of gold to brass by weight is 5%. This means that there is an actual layer of gold over the brass instead of a microscopic film as in gold plated jewelry. Gold-filled jewelry is tarnish resistant. I've had clients tell me that the gold-filled jewelry they bought 40 years ago still looks as good today as the day they bought it.

 

Use a mild dish soap, warm water, and a soft toothbrush and scrub. Rinse well.

 

Copper rings are purchased from Urban Maille.

 

Dissolve a teaspoon of salt in a cup of white vinegar and keep the mixture in a jar with a lid. Drop the jewelry in the jar, swish it around for a moment, remove, rinse, rub it all over with a paste of baking soda and warm water to neutralize it, then rinse it again. If your copper looks a bit matte, polish while you neutralize by making a paste of baking soda and water and using an old toothbrush, gently scrub the copper. You may clean jewelry containing both copper and sterling silver in the same manner. Just make sure to neutralize with baking soda so as not to pit the metal.

 

The anodized niobium rings I use are purchased from C&T Designs. If you would like a different color ring please let me know. Niobium is hypoallergenic though some people have been know to react to niobium. If you are particularly sensitive to copper, you may react to niobium.