Jewellery care and ring size
JEWELLERY CARE INSTRUCTIONS
Coming soon is gold vermeil anxiety rings
Gold vermeil is gold thickness of 2.5 microns and 925 sterling silver base. As this is much thicker than plating, gold vermeil will last for years if taken care of properly.
18k gold, white gold and rose gold plating
Our jewellery is plated with 18k gold, white gold and rose gold on a 925 sterling silver base. The plating thickness of our rings varies from 0.5 to 2 microns.
Plating coming off is not a manufacturing fault - it depends on the wearer's environment, including for example, the acidity of the wearer's skin, or exposure to sweat.
This also means that any harsh chemicals such as creams, sunscreen, chlorine or perfumes can affect the neutral PH balance of the plating and wear off the plating more quickly.
To prevent plating coming off as much as possible, we recommend that you remove your ring when engaging in the following activities:
- Washing hands with soap
- Household and outdoor chores
- Showering, bathing or swimming in pools, hot tubs, hot springs and the beach/ocean
- Applying sunscreen or makeup
- Using lotion, hair products, fragrances and other cosmetics
- Exercising at the gym or during sports
- Preparing and cooking meals
Sterling silver
Sterling silver requires special care to preserve its appearance and longevity. All of our rings at Subtly Anxious are stamped with '925' to show that it is sterling silver.
Sterling silver tarnishes when exposed to salty air, chlorine, sulfur, humidity, perspiration, cosmetics, household bleach and other strong chemicals.
To prevent tarnish of your jewellery as much as possible, we recommend that you store your ring in a safe, dry place (in the pouch provided, not the gift box).
Remove your ring when engaging in the following activities:
- Washing hands with soap
- Household and outdoor chores
- Showering, bathing or swimming in pools, hot tubs, hot springs and the beach/ocean
- Applying sunscreen or makeup
- Using lotion, hair products, fragrances and other cosmetics
- Exercising at the gym or during sports
- Preparing and cooking meals
Stainless Steel
Caring for stainless steel rings is relatively straightforward, as this material is durable and resistant to tarnishing and corrosion. Here are some care instructions to keep your stainless steel ring looking its best:
1. Regular Cleaning:
- Use warm water and mild soap to clean your ring. Mix them in a small bowl, then dip a soft cloth into the soapy water. Gently rub the ring to remove dirt and oils. Rinse under warm water and dry with a soft, clean cloth.
2. Polishing:
- Use a stainless steel or jewelry polishing cloth to restore shine. These cloths are non-abrasive and will gently polish your ring without scratching.
3. Avoid Harsh Chemicals:
- Keep your ring away from harsh chemicals like bleach, ammonia, or chlorine, as they can damage the metal’s surface. Remove your ring when cleaning or swimming in a pool.
4. Storage:
- Store your ring in a separate compartment of your jewelry box or in a pouch to prevent scratches from other jewelry. Keeping it in a dry, cool place to safeguard it from moisture and humidity is ideal.
5. Protection:
- Though stainless steel is tough, avoid wearing your ring during activities that might cause damage or scratches, like heavy lifting or gardening.
6. Inspection:
- Periodically check for any loose stones or signs of wear. While stainless steel is durable, settings can still wear down over time.
By following these steps, your stainless steel ring will maintain its appearance and durability, ensuring it continues to shine on your finger for years to come.
Cleaning your jewellery
1. Gently rub the ring with our jewellery polishing cloth (for sterling silver only).
2. If the oxidation does not come off easily or the spinner is not spinning freely, rinse the ring in warm water.
3. Blot dry immediately and use your jewellery polishing cloth to remove any further oxidation.
Storage instructions
Store your ring in a cool, dry place and away from sunlight (in the pouch provided or a jewellery box, not the gift box). Do not store in the bathroom, as this is usually the most humid place in the house.
Keep jewellery completely dry when storing. If you wear your ring frequently, keep it away from excessive exposure to air, and store in your storage pouch or a jewellery storage box in a cool, dry place away from sunlight.
Always store all jewellery separately to other jewellery. If your climate is humid, place a small packet of moisture absorber inside your storage area.
Avoid any contact with rubber bands or any other rubber products as the sulfur in rubber may cause tarnishing and corrosion.
Tarnish and oxidation
Tarnish is a thin layer of corrosion that forms on the surface of silver products. The most common type of tarnish is silver sulfide, which is black in appearance.
Tarnish does not occur on pure silver. But pure silver is very hard and can't be used to make jewellery.
Sterling silver is a common precious metal that is crafted for jewellery as it is made up of 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper hence the s925 stamp. Sterling silver is prone to tarnish because of the copper in its makeup, which reacts with sulfur and oxygen to form discoloration.
In addition, sterling silver jewellery is often made with intricate designs that provide nooks and crannies for tarnish to accumulate. Tarnish can also be accelerated by cold or warm water and humidity, so storing sterling silver jewellery in a dry place is essential.
Tarnish of jewellery is not a manufacturing fault and may occur as a result of oxidation. Oxidation is the natural process where oxygen combined with a substance, for example, moisture or sulphur.
Metallic abrasion
The most common reason for skin discolouring when wearing gold jewellery is metallic abrasion. Metallic abrasion is a result of makeup on skin or clothing or sometimes even the sweat of the wearer - it is not to do with the quality of the jewellery.
Cosmetics/makeup often contain compounds harder than jewellery, which wear or rub off very tiny particles. Finely divided metal always appears black rather than metallic, so it looks like jet-black dust. When this dust comes into contact with absorbent surfaces such as skin or clothing, it sticks, forming a black mark around the skin.
To prevent this, remove jewellery while applying creams or makeup, and clean skin areas in contact with jewellery with soap and water.
Stones, gemstones, simulated pearls or cultured freshwater pearls
Some of our rings have stones/pieces glued on to the setting and can become loose when exposed to heat or water over a long period of time. Although this is outside of our warranty and this occurs, we will send you a replacement kit to repair this, free of charge.
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