Blog — cleaning

I used to be an extremely low-maintenance sort of gal.  Earrings to go with everything I own that I can wear 24 x 7, please!  Slowly, I’ve been converting to care – really care – for myself and choose things I really like (because I’m worth it!) and in turn really care for the things I really like.

How to Care for Argentium Silver Jewelry Argentium Silver is an alloy of silver that is highly tarnish resistant.  Jewelry metals are often alloyed, or mixed with other metals, to improve their qualities (like their color or durability).  Argentium Silver is hypoallergenic for many people, has a beautiful shiny luster, is low maintenance, and has a high tarnish resistance.  If you have ever had to polish sterling silver, you can appreciate this fact. A proactive care tip for your Argentium Silver jewelry is to apply the “last on, first off” strategy.  Only put it on after you have done your...

How to Care for Surgical (Stainless) Steel Jewelry Surgical Steel is a particular alloy of Stainless Steel (316 and 316L).  Stainless Steel has many alloys, which are different mixtures of various metals in various amounts.  Jewelry metals are often alloyed to improve their qualities (for example: gold and silver are often mixed with other metals to improve their color or durability).  Surgical Steel is a helpful jewelry material because it is hypoallergenic for some, is very durable, and it does not tarnish.  If you have ever had to polish sterling silver, you can appreciate this fact. After a lot of...

How to Care for Titanium Jewelry Titanium jewelry can be found in Commercially Pure Grade 1 or in other alloys, meaning it is mixed with other metals the way that gold and silver are often mixed with other metals to improve their color or durability.  Titanium is an incredible material for jewelry because it is light weight, ultra-comfortable, and hypoallergenic.  Furthermore, Titanium is non-reactive, meaning it does not create a tarnished surface.  If you have had to polish your sterling silver, you can appreciate this fact. The surface of Titanium is naturally gray and shiny.  After much wear it can...

Caring for Your Niobium Jewelry Niobium is rare and many refer to it as a semi-precious metal, if not a precious metal.  Niobium is a pure elemental metal (element 41 on the Periodic Table of Elements, in fact!) and unlike other precious jewelry metals such as silver and gold, it is not mixed with any other metals to improve its color or durability.  It is an incredible material for jewelry because it is ultra-comfortable and hypoallergenic, once again because it is not mixed with the other metals that often induce allergic reactions for people.  Furthermore, Niobium is non-reactive, meaning it...