Caring for Your Embers & Maple Jewellery

Caring for Your Jewellery

Each piece I make is designed to be worn, loved and treasured for years to come. A little care goes a long way, and with the right attention your jewellery will continue to look beautiful for many years.

Below you'll find everything you need to know about caring for your Embers & Maple jewellery.

About Tarnishing

Tarnishing is a natural process that happens when metal reacts with air, moisture and the oils on your skin. It's not a fault, it's simply chemistry.

The good news is that with the right care, tarnishing can often be slowed and, in most cases, reversed.

Sterling silver and bronze naturally develop a patina over time. Silver plated jewellery can also tarnish if exposed to moisture or chemicals. Gold filled jewellery is highly resistant to tarnishing, while gold plated jewellery will gradually wear with everyday use, particularly if exposed to water, lotions or perfume. Solid gold does not tarnish in the same way, although it may lose some of its shine over time due to everyday wear and the build-up of natural oils. This can easily be restored with regular cleaning.

The biggest culprits are perfume, sunscreen, lotions, sweat and water. Put your jewellery on last when getting ready, and remove it first before swimming, showering or exercising.

Everyday Care

A few simple habits will help keep your jewellery looking its best:

Apply perfume, moisturiser and hairspray before putting your jewellery on.
Remove jewellery before swimming, showering, exercising or doing housework.
Wipe your jewellery with a soft, lint-free cloth after wearing.
Store pieces in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
Store jewellery separately to help prevent tangling and scratching.

Care by Material

Gold Filled

Gold filled jewellery is one of the most durable gold finishes available and is highly resistant to tarnishing.

Clean with a soft cloth after wearing. If needed, wash gently in warm water with a small amount of mild soap before drying thoroughly.

Avoid prolonged exposure to chlorine, harsh chemicals and perfumes.

18k Gold Plated Sterling Silver

My 18k gold plated impression jewellery begins as solid sterling silver before being finished with a generous layer of 18k gold, offering a premium finish with the strength of a sterling silver base.

To keep it looking its best:

Remove before swimming, showering and exercising.
Avoid perfume, sunscreen, lotions and household cleaning products.
Wipe gently with a soft, dry cloth after wearing.
Store separately in a jewellery pouch or box.
Avoid polishing cloths, silver dips or abrasive jewellery cleaners, as these can gradually wear away the gold plating.

Solid Gold (9k)

Solid gold is one of the most durable and low-maintenance precious metals. Unlike plated jewellery, it won't wear away or lose its colour over time, making it a beautiful piece to wear and treasure for a lifetime.

To keep your solid gold jewellery looking its best:

Clean occasionally in warm water with a small amount of mild dish soap using a soft toothbrush or soft cloth.
Rinse thoroughly and dry with a soft, lint-free cloth.
Remove before swimming in chlorinated pools or salt water, as these can dull the finish over time.
Avoid contact with harsh household chemicals, including bleach and cleaning products.
Store separately from other jewellery to help prevent scratches.
If your piece develops fine surface scratches through everyday wear, a professional polish can restore its original shine.

Gold Plated (Base Metal)

Some pieces in my beaded collection feature a premium gold plated finish over a base metal.

Gold plating naturally wears over time, particularly with frequent contact with skin, water and everyday products.

To maximise its lifespan:

Keep dry wherever possible.
Avoid perfume, lotions and sunscreen.
Wipe gently with a soft cloth after wearing.
Store separately to avoid scratches.
Do not use jewellery polishing cloths or chemical cleaners on gold plated jewellery.

Sterling Silver (925)

Sterling silver naturally tarnishes over time, particularly when exposed to air and moisture. This is completely normal and can easily be restored.

Use an Embers & Maple polishing cloth, or another sterling silver polishing cloth, to gently remove tarnish and restore shine. For heavier tarnishing, a sterling silver cleaner can also be used according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Store in an airtight container or anti-tarnish pouch when not being worn.

Silver Plated

Silver plated jewellery can tarnish over time due to exposure to air, moisture and skin oils.

Avoid water and chemicals wherever possible.

Clean with a soft, dry cloth only. Do not use silver polish or abrasive cleaners, as these can remove the plated finish.

Store in an airtight pouch to help reduce tarnishing.

Bronze

Bronze is a beautiful, timeless metal that naturally develops a rich patina as it ages. This is part of its character and one of the things many people love about it.

Every bronze impression piece is coated with a clear protective finish to help slow tarnishing and includes a polishing cloth for easy ongoing care. How quickly bronze develops a patina varies from person to person and depends largely on your body chemistry and how often the piece is worn.

If your bronze jewellery begins to darken over time, simply polish it with an Embers & Maple polishing cloth to restore its shine.

The protective coating will naturally wear over time depending on how often your jewellery is worn. If it ever needs refreshing, I'll happily re-coat your bronze impression piece free of charge for the lifetime of your jewellery. You'll simply need to cover the cost of shipping your piece to and from my studio.

To keep your bronze jewellery looking its best:

Remove before swimming, showering and exercising.
Avoid prolonged contact with perfume, lotions and harsh chemicals.
Wipe clean with a soft cloth after wearing.
Store in a cool, dry place when not in use.

Freshwater Pearls & Natural Gemstones

I work with genuine freshwater pearls and natural gemstones, so every piece is beautifully unique.

Slight variations in colour, shape, lustre and size are completely natural and part of what makes your jewellery one of a kind.

Pearls are softer than metal, so avoid dropping them or storing them alongside harder jewellery that may scratch their surface.

Lifetime Craftsmanship Guarantee

Every piece of Embers & Maple jewellery is handcrafted with care and made to be treasured for years to come.

That's why every piece is backed by my Lifetime Craftsmanship Guarantee.

If your jewellery experiences a fault due to my workmanship, or requires repair due to normal wear and tear, I'll repair it free of charge for the lifetime of the piece.

This includes repairs such as:

Re-stringing beaded jewellery.
Replacing broken clasps, jump rings or findings due to normal wear.
Soldering or repairing components that fail due to craftsmanship.
Re-coating bronze impression pieces whenever the protective coating needs refreshing (shipping costs only apply).

This guarantee does not cover:

Accidental damage.
Loss or theft.
Damage caused by misuse or improper care.
Alterations or repairs carried out by another jeweller.
Damage caused by exposure to chemicals or impacts outside normal wear.

If you're ever unsure whether your jewellery is covered, simply get in touch. I'll always do my best to help and will let you know the best option for restoring your piece.

Still Have Questions?

If you're ever unsure how to care for your jewellery, or something doesn't look quite right, please get in touch.

I'd always much rather help you care for your piece than have you worry about it. Simply email hello@embersandmaple.com.au and I'll be happy to help.