Jewellery Care

Protection

Remove your jewellery before engaging in practical activities, this will ensure that your jewellery does not get accidentally damaged. This is especially important with solid gold items due to the softer quality of the metals, as well as gold plated items as the plating could be scratched off.

Body lotions, perfumes, cleaning products and chlorine can cause your jewellery to tarnish and discolour. Please try to put your jewellery on last, after applying any cosmetics, scents, and sprays. This is especially important for gold plated jewellery.

Storing Your Jewellery

When storing your jewellery, we recommend doing so in the box you were provided, or an air-tight container. Exposure to the environment can cause silver and brass jewellery to tarnish over time. Storing it sensibly will keep it looking newer for longer and avoid marking and scratching your jewellery.

Naturally over time scratches will occur, this is all part of the jewellery and the wearer’s journey together creating a truly individual piece. Should you wish to remove any deep scratches and marks we recommend having a professional polish. To reduce shipping we suggest contacting your local jewellers, alternatively email us.

Jewellery Cleaning

We suggest using natural cleaning products to brighten up your jewellery and give it a shine.

Recycled Silver

Recycled silver is very tough and long lasting. If worn all the time it remains fairly polished. However, over time it can tarnish and wear.

We recommend regularly polishing your item with a microfibre cloth. If it starts to patina, we recommend dipping your silver in a lemon juice and olive oil solution, then wiping clean under warm water with natural soap.

Recycled Gold

Recycled gold is everlasting and should not tarnish. As it is one of the softer metals it can take on scratches and bumps more easily than silver.

To keep your gold jewellery looking polished and fresh we recommend occasionally polishing it with a microfibre cloth or some warm water and natural soap. Only use a soft cloth to clean with.

Brass

Brass is very tough and long lasting. It does naturally tarnish and needs a little more care. Please be aware when worn close to the skin (rings) it will stain the skin, this does come off when washing.

We recommend regularly polishing your jewellery with a microfibre cloth. If it starts to patina, we recommend making a paste from lemon juice and bicarbonate of soda, use a soft toothbrush or cloth and wash the jewellery, repeat until clean, rinse with water and dry thoroughly.

Alternately you can scrub your brass gently with wire wool to bring back that golden shine.

Brass Faqs

Although brass is one of the oldest metals to be used for jewellery and adornment it is less commonly used nowadays.

But we love working with brass! Our 100% recycled brass adds a beautiful, gentle and warm tone to our jewellery collections. Alongside this, since brass can be infinitely recycled without diminishing its composition making it a wise environmentally-friendly choice.

Being it is currently a less common choice for jewellery, we understand that you may have some questions about wearing brass. We’ve tried to cover everything you may wonder in this FAQ but if you can’t find your answer please email enquiries@emmaaitchison.com

Will Brass Stain My Skin?

The copper content in brass can be known to create a green mark on the skin. This usually happens with jewellery that is worn close to the skin, such as rings and is less likely with loose items like bangles. This reaction is completely safe. With a few washes, the stain will disappear.

Will I React to the Metal?

Like all metals, we all react differently. Some people are allergic to silver, gold and or others to brass. If you are aware that you are sensitive to metals, we would suggest avoiding brass due to its mix of metals. As mentioned above, brass sometimes leaves a mark on the skin, but this is nothing to worry about and is not a reaction or allergy. .

What Is Brass Made Form?

Brass is a zinc-copper alloy. Brass is commonly recycled rather than mined as it is more economically viable to do so, as it can be repeatedly recycled without losing its composition.

Are the Earring Posts Brass?

Our brass earring styles are made with 100% recycled silver posts and silver scrolls. This reduces the potential green staining to the ear. Alternatively, if you are allergic to silver we also offer earring posts made with 9ct gold upon request.

My Jewellery Looks Tarnished. How Do I Clean My Brass Jewellery?

With time and wear, jewellery can look tarnished and dull. Our pieces are made for longevity and we have ensured that they are straightforward to clean by considering this during the design process.

We recommend regularly polishing your jewellery with a microfibre cloth. If the jewellery has a heavier tarnishing, we recommend making a paste from lemon juice and bicarbonate of soda, use a soft toothbrush or cloth and wash the jewellery, repeat until clean, rinse with water and dry thoroughly.

Alternately you can scrub your brass gently with wire wool to bring back that golden shine.

How Should I Store My Brass Jewellery?

Is Brass Recyclable?

We hope that you will enjoy your jewellery for a lifetime. However, you can rest assured that brass is 100% recyclable at the end of its life. In fact, brass is indefinitely recyclable and the majority on the market has already been recycled many times. The process is quite straight-forward, and low in energy consumption compared to most metals. It involves sorting, shredding, melting, and repouring into new shapes.

Does Brass Look Different to Gold Plate or Solid Gold?

When polished brass is a bright yellow, similar to gold plate. When left with a matt or satin finish is a soft mellow, almost silvery tone, akin to a warm white gold. Brass naturally has a softer hue than gold to its slightly darker natural state but it can be bought up to a high shine with care and cleaning.

Can I Wear it Next to Other Metal Jewellery?

Yes. Unlike gold plated items, where wearing it next to other metals can promote the gold to wear off, brass will be fine! You will be able to wear your brass jewellery next to other metals without damage. In fact, the rubbing of metal on metal can naturally brighten each piece, we call this burnishing. Please note, if you have a high carat gold piece of jewellery it is good practice to avoid wearing in close contact with a ‘tougher’ metal such as silver or brass.

Can I Get My Brass Jewellery Wet?

Yes, you can. Although we advise against getting you’r brass jewellery regularly wet as it can promote tarnishing and you will need to clean it more regularly to keep it’s colour bright. If your jewellery does get wet, simply dry it as quickly as you can with a soft towel or cloth. If it does tarnish, just use our cleaning tips to bring it back to new! (See above).

Will My Brass Jewellery Look The Same Forever?

Yes, unlike gold plating which can wear off over time, brass can be kept in great condition for years. Using our cleaning and storage tips will aid this longevity of life. Naturally over time scratches can occur. This is all part of the jewellery and the wearer’s journey together creating a truly individual piece. Should you wish to remove any deep scratches and marks we recommend having a professional polish by an accredited jeweller. To reduce shipping costs we suggest contacting your local jewellers, alternatively, you are welcome to email us: enquiries@emmaaitchison.com