Sheilah christi studio
Product Care and Information
Metal Facts:
Precious metals are considered sterling silver, fine silver 10k-24k gold, platinum and palladium.
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Pure gold and pure silver is very malleable and does not tarnish. Tarnishing is losing luster due to exposure of moisture or air. To harden metal to be worn into jewelry, other types of metals such as copper are added, which can make the jewelry tarnish. Combinations of these metals are called alloys. Alloys vary in the percentage of gold and silver purity. Sheilah Christi Studio dedicates itself to having relationships with metal suppliers and casters who value conflict-free and sustainability in their work ethics.
Fabricated jewelry is primarily made by a jewelers hand, one at a time. Each piece is made from raw materials such as metal sheets, metal tubing and or wire. These materials are then worked out to be cut, hammered, folded, rolled, and soldered.
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All of our sterling silver pieces are plated either by vermeil, rhodium or ruthenium.
Ruthenium and rhodium plating come from the platinum family. They are both highly scratch resistant and gives longer lasting wearability to your pieces. Rhodium can be white to plate for added brightness in white gold or silver. It can also be a gunmetal grey. Ruthenium can be as dark as pure black.
Vermeil plating, under the Federal Trade Commission, requires the metal to be precious and be heavily plated with at least 2.5 microns of gold ( for comparison, it takes 1000 microns to make 1 millimeter thickness of gold). Our colors can come in yellow or rose.
Storage and cleaning
Storing sterling silver in a jewelry box will not prevent it from tarnishing. To prevent tarnishing, store clean, dry sterling silver or your gold piece in a dry, airtight container. If possible, place an anti-tarnish strip in the container.
Keep all of your pieces separate from one another to prevent scratching.
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Don't leave silver jewelry in the bathroom, as humidity can speed up the oxidation process that produces tarnish. Minimize sterling silver's contact with chemicals such as hairspray, body lotion, and cleaning products and do not wear it in the water. After taking it off, clean it with a dry, soft cloth before putting it back into an airtight container.
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Do not use ultrasonic on soft gems such as opals and pearls. Use mild soap with a washcloth or soft toothbrush to clean dirt out.
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If the jewelry contains gemstones or pearls, do not submerge the entire piece into water. Instead, use a cotton swab with mild dishwashing liquid to wash the metal. Pearls, corals and turquoise are all examples of soft stones that can be damaged because their hardness levels are very low and can be damaged easily if not properly cared for.
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Do not use a polishing cloth on plated jewelry. It may contain chemicals that can damage the finish.
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The gold plating must get a new gold layer on when needed, and it is advised to check locks and clasps for firmness.