💎 The Most Asked Jewelry Care Questions — Answered by a Maker
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💎 The Most Asked Jewelry Care Questions — Answered by a Maker
Over the past year of making and sharing my jewelry, I’ve gotten a lot of great questions from customers about how to care for their pieces. I love that people want to keep their jewelry looking beautiful for years — so I thought I’d put the most common questions (and honest answers!) all in one place.
1. “Why do you mix vinegar and baking soda to clean copper jewelry? Don’t they cancel each other out?”
That’s such a smart question! You’re right — vinegar (acid) and baking soda (base) can neutralize each other if you just mix them and walk away. But when you use them together as a paste, they actually do a bit of teamwork before that happens. The fizzing reaction helps lift off tarnish and loosen grime mechanically, while the vinegar dissolves oxidation and the baking soda adds gentle scrubbing power. It’s a mild, natural way to freshen copper without harsh chemicals.
2. “Will ProtectaClear damage my stones?”
ProtectaClear is generally safe for most hard, non-porous stones like quartz, topaz, or garnet. But for porous or delicate ones — think turquoise, opal, malachite, or pearls — it can darken or dull their surface because those stones can absorb the coating. When in doubt, I just avoid brushing it directly onto the stone. Instead, I carefully apply it around the setting with a small brush or cotton swab.
3. “What’s the best way to store my jewelry so it doesn’t tarnish?”
Air is what causes tarnish, so the less exposure, the better. I always recommend keeping jewelry in a small zip bag or an anti-tarnish pouch when it’s not being worn. For copper and silver, tossing in a small piece of chalk or an anti-tarnish strip can help too. And whatever you do — avoid humid bathrooms! That’s tarnish’s favorite hangout spot.
4. “Can I shower or swim in my jewelry?”
It’s best not to. Water (especially chlorinated or salt water) can cause metal to dull or tarnish faster, and it’s not kind to many gemstones either. Even plain tap water and soap can leave residue that changes the look of the metal. I always say: your jewelry should rest while you get clean — it’ll last longer that way.
5. “How do I bring back the shine without fancy cleaners?”
A soft jewelry cloth works wonders. For copper or silver, a gentle hand polish with a bit of baking soda paste or a treated polishing cloth can restore shine without stripping the natural patina. If you like that warm, lived-in glow (I do!), skip over-cleaning — sometimes the character that builds up makes the piece even more beautiful.
6. “Why does my copper jewelry turn my skin green — and is it safe?”
Ah, the famous “green finger” mystery! That color comes from a natural chemical reaction between copper and the oils or acids on your skin — especially if you’ve been sweating or using lotion. It’s totally harmless (and easy to wash off), but if you want to prevent it, a thin coat of clear sealant like ProtectaClear on the back of the piece can help. The good news? It doesn’t mean your jewelry is cheap — it just means it’s real copper doing what real copper does!
7. “Why do you use real metals instead of plated ones?”
That one’s close to my heart. My mom and daughter both have severe allergies to cheap, plated jewelry — and that’s what inspired me to start working with real earth metals like sterling silver and bare copper. They’re hypoallergenic for most people, last for generations, and can always be cleaned or polished back to their natural beauty. Plating wears off, but real metal is forever — and that’s what makes it worth creating with.
A Maker’s Final Tip
Jewelry is meant to be worn and enjoyed, not hidden away out of fear of tarnish. The more you wear real metals like copper and silver, the more they naturally self-polish. So go ahead — wear your art, love it, and give it a quick refresh when it needs one.