EARRINGS LABRADORITE & SPIKES - III

Repairs:

We will make reasonable repairs on items for up to 1 year after date of purchase. We can not be responsible for items that are lost or damaged during return shipping. All repairs are subject to shipping charges. We reserve the right to deny unreasonable repairs or exchanges.

For all repair inquiries, please email repairs[at]dirtyhandsjewelry.com and include your name, description, photo of the damage, and proof of purchase. You will receive a response back within 1-2 BUSINESS DAYS.

Once approved a return authorization number will be issued to you. Any unauthorized packages sent to Dirty Hands Jewelry will be rejected and returned to senders.

To return merchandise please contact through contact page. 

Jewelry Care:

Sterling Silver & Gold Jewelry:

Simply polishing your silver works well when the tarnishing is not too severe. It’s also the best method for cleaning oxidized silver, as you can stay away from the intentionally tarnished areas.

Silver is soft and can become scratched easily. You can use a special silver cloth to polish your items, but a lint-free flannel, microfiber, or other soft nonabrasive cloth will do as well. Do not use paper towels or tissues to polish your jewelry as they contain fibers that can scratch the silver.

When polishing, use long back-and-forth motions that mirror the grain of the silver. Do not rub in circles, as this will magnify any tiny scratches. Also, change to a different section of your cloth frequently to avoid placing tarnish back on the silver. You can use a Q-tip to get into small, detailed areas.

Silver jewelry should be removed when handling household products, exposure to perspiration, rubber, chlorinated water or any substances which contain sulfur (e.g., mayonnaise, eggs, mustard, onions, latex, wool) as this will cause corrosion and tarnish. In addition lotions, cosmetics, hair spray, hair products, and perfumes are also “enemies” of silver and will accelerate tarnishing.

Gold can lose its luster over time if repeatedly exposed to dust, moisture, perspiration and makeup. So make sure to clean your jewelry regularly. You can use a cleaning solution of sudsy, lukewarm water, or bring it to your local jeweler and have it professionally steam-cleaned. After cleaning and rinsing, always dry and polish jewelry with a chamois or soft cloth to avoid scratches and bring out its shine.

Gold's worst enemy is chlorine. Repeated exposure can weaken gold's structure, eventually leading to breakage. So keep your gold jewelry away from chlorinated cleaning products and out of swimming pools and jacuzzis.

It is recommended to store your jewelry individually in air tight plastic bags unhooked or unclasped to prevent scratching.

Bronze & Brass Jewelry:

Cleaning:
Wipe the jewelry with a silver polish cloth.
Apply some mild soap onto the bronze jewelry and rub it.
Hold the jewelry under running water to rinse the soap off.
Gently wipe the water off of the bronze jewelry and dry it using a clean towel
For less pervasive tarnish on your jewelry you can try a mixture of baking soda (2tbsp) and a few drops lemon juice. Mix well and then scrub the tarnished areas with a toothbrush. Rinse with warm water
For heavily tarnished jewelry place your jewelry in vinegar and let it soak for 30-60 minutes, then scrub it with an old toothbrush. Once clean, rinse it with water. This cleaning method is more aggressive and may leave the piece more "raw" looking - it won't have as warm of color until the patina rebuilds
If you like a high shine, you may prefer using a commercial metal cleaner specifically formulated for bronze or brass. Follow the instructions on the cleaning product.

Storage:
When removing your jewelry after wearing it, it is advisable to wipe the pieces clean with a soft cloth before storing them. This is to remove any traces of oils from your skin as they may speed up the tarnishing of bronze.

Bronze & Brass will oxidize over time, turning a darker, more muted color. Some people prefer this darker, aged color as it adds character to the metal. To maintain a shiny bright finish for as long a possible, store your jewelry away from the air in a ziplock plastic bag, and keep it as dry as possible. Do not wear in the shower or store in a humid environment.

All metals, including bronze, brass, silver and gold, can react to beauty and cleaning products. Avoid contact as much as possible with perfumes, hairsprays, lotions and household cleaners.

Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc and Bronze is an alloy of copper and tin. Both of which when exposed to air and moisture, will develop a greenish layer of build-up on its surface. This greenish coating is known as patina.

Since the tarnishing process is facilitated by the oxygen in the air, it is advisable to keep your bronze jewelry in a plastic bag to slow down the formation of patina. Make sure you wipe your bronze jewelry dry before storing it: Leaving it to dry in contact with the air makes it easier for patina to form.

Allergies:
Both Bronze & Brass contain copper. You can get a noticeable green ring around your finger from wearing a ring made using copper. The common green color is not harmful of itself, though some people experience an itchy rash or other sensitivity reaction to the metal and may wish to avoid exposure to the metal.

The copper in the metal can turn your skin green because when the copper reacts with your sweat and the acids (PH levels) from your skin, it produces copper chloride. Copper chloride is a green substance that then rubs off on your skin.

You can greatly reduce the chance of any ring turning your finger green if you take care to keep soap, lotions and other chemicals away from your ring. Simply seal the offending areas on your jewelry with any clear nail polish or clear Rustoleum to prevent this from happening. Reapply as needed. Remove your rings before bathing or swimming, especially in saltwater.