Jewelry care and repairs

Care for your bronze jewelry

Daily wear is great for your bronze pieces. Try to avoid contact with cosmetic products and, optionally, you may wipe off body oils with a natural cloth after wearing.

Humidity can accelerate oxidization and tarnish (shows as general dullness, discoloration or a turquoise sheen), so keep them in a dry room when not worn and dry well if exposed to water.

To avoid tarnish further, clean your pieces regularly with warm water and a natural soap. An old toothbrush works perfectly for scrubbing when a deeper clean is needed. Dry them thoroughly.

To remove occurring tarnish and refresh your pieces, let them sit in a light vinegar with soap for a few minutes or until you see a change to golden. Rinse with water and dry well.

Avoid wearing in pools and generally when handling harsher chemicals as these may wear down the metal.

Always handle gently and avoid putting your jewelry under unnecessary or heavy pressure. Please avoid intentionally disassembling your jewelry (assembled earrings with wooden elements).

Wood

If your piece has any non-metal elements (wood and so on) never let it submerge in water, but follow the steps including liquids above by soaking the tip of a cloth and applying on metal parts only.

All pieces with wooden elements have been given a natural finish and seal. However, given the organic nature of wood, combined with exposure to light and other elements, small changes in color and tone may be expected over time.

Wearing bronze

Bronze – which consists mostly of copper – may sometimes leave a dark tint on your skin after wear. This is a completely safe reaction between the copper and your sweat and natural body oils. The tint will soon fade away on its own or it may be (at least partially) removed with warm soap water. It mostly occurs when the bronze has a close proximity to your skin, such as with tight fitted rings, but not as much with loose bracelets or necklaces. If you would like to prevent this reaction, you can simply coat the part of the piece which comes in contact with your skin, using a clear varnish or nail polish. This step may need to be reapplied throughout time.

Jewelry repairs

Although I do my best to ensure the strength of each and every handmade piece, jewelry is not unbreakable and should always be handled with care. Follow the tips above to give your jewelry the best conditions. Should your Rosa & Linde jewelry break within its first year, I will happily repair it or make a replacement at only the cost of shipping. If more than a year has passed, feel free to get in touch, and we will find a solution together.

Contact me at rosaoglinde@gmail.com including a picture of your jewelry’s broken state and I will get back to you shortly.