SilverDog Jewelry is handmade with either .925 sterling silver, .999 fine silver or Argentium silver. Some pieces may include brass, bronze or copper as accent metals to the silver.

Pieces that are made of metal clay are fired in a kiln and turn into sterling silver or fine silver (or copper, brass or bronze!). They are then workable like any other metal. Most metals will tarnish over time which is a natural occurrence; the metal darkens and appears to be discolored, either in spots or overall. Exposure to oxygen, sweat and lotions may accelerate the tarnishing process. This discoloration can range from a light yellow/gold to a dark black/brown color.

To slow down tarnishing, keep your jewelry away from cosmetics, hair products, perfumes, sunscreen, household chemicals, salt water and anything that may contain sulfur. Be sure not to submerge your silver jewelry in water for long periods of time and remove it when bathing, swimming, or washing dishes by hand.

To remove tarnish from your silver jewelry use the silver polishing cloth received with your jewelry. You can also use commercially available jewelry polishes and clothes, or something as simple as toothpaste! Squeeze a bit of toothpaste onto the piece to be cleaned. Rub gently with your fingers or a soft bristled brush and rinse with water. Toothpaste is a mild abrasive and is good for loosening up grime and dirt that collects in the crevices over a period of regular use.

Many SilverDog Jewelry pieces have been patina’d, which uses a chemical derived from sulphur to create the black, velvety effect in layered, stamped or etched designs to create depth. Patina can wear off over time. Our patinated pieces are sealed with a polishing wax but with time, it will wear away. Keep any piece containing patina away from water, salt water, cosmetics, and hair products as contact with any of these can cause corrosion of the patina. This corrosion will give the patina a green color that can only be repaired by removing the original patina, applying a fresh coat and re-polishing. SilverDog Jewelry is happy to refresh your jewelry if needed; contact me here to let me know.

Gemstones vary in hardness and durability. For all these reason please treat your jewelry with care, store it individually away from sunlight, dampness and open air and keep them beautiful and shiny.