A Little Care Goes a Long Way
From sterling silver and Larimar to gold vermeil, pearls and Portuguese cork, every material has its own personality. A little thoughtful care helps keep the pieces you love looking beautiful.
Four Simple Habits
Keep It Dry
Remove delicate jewelry before swimming, showering, exercising or using household cleaners.
Jewelry Goes On Last
Apply perfume, lotion, makeup and hair products before putting on your jewelry.
Clean Gently
A soft, lint-free cloth is the safest starting point for routine jewelry care.
Store With Care
Keep pieces clean, dry and separated when possible to help prevent scratches and tangles.
Know What You're Wearing
Different materials need different care. Start with what your piece is made from, and when jewelry combines several materials, care for it according to its most delicate component.
Sterling Silver
Sterling silver naturally oxidizes and can tarnish when exposed to air. For light tarnish, gently polish it with a soft, lint-free silver polishing cloth using a back-and-forth motion. Store sterling silver clean and dry, preferably in an airtight container or bag to help slow oxidation. Avoid paper towels and tissues, which can scratch the surface.
14K Gold Vermeil
Gold vermeil is gold layered over sterling silver, so protecting the gold layer is important. Remove vermeil jewelry before showering, swimming, exercising or other activities that expose it to water and chemicals. Apply perfume, lotion and makeup before putting on your jewelry, and gently wipe the piece with a soft, dry cloth after wear. Avoid abrasive polishing products that can wear the gold layer.
Natural Gemstones
There is no single cleaning method that is appropriate for every natural gemstone. Stones vary in hardness, treatments and sensitivity to heat and chemicals. For routine care, gently wipe gemstone jewelry with a soft, lint-free cloth and avoid harsh chemicals. Unless you know a particular gemstone and its treatment are suitable for them, do not use steam or ultrasonic cleaners.
Freshwater Pearls
Pearls are soft and can scratch easily. Put pearl jewelry on after perfume, hairspray, makeup and other beauty products, and gently wipe the pearls with a very soft, clean cloth after wearing them. For occasional cleaning, warm soapy water can be used carefully. Never use steam or ultrasonic cleaners on pearls.
Caring for Larimar
Larimar deserves a gentle touch. Protect it from scratches and hard impacts, and keep it away from chlorine, perfume, household cleaners and other harsh chemicals.
When cleaning is needed, use lukewarm water, a small amount of mild soap and a soft cloth. Rinse carefully and dry the piece completely.
A Few Larimar Essentials
Handle gently to help prevent scratches and impacts.
Never use an ultrasonic cleaner.
Store Larimar separately from harder jewelry when possible.
Keeping the Shine
A light touch helps protect specialty finishes, crystals and lab-created stones.
18K Gold PVD
For routine care, wipe PVD-coated stainless steel with a soft cloth. When additional cleaning is needed, use lukewarm water with a small amount of mild soap, then rinse and dry thoroughly. Avoid abrasive cleaners, abrasive polishing products and harsh chemicals.
Lab-Created Opal
Because lab-created opals can vary in composition and construction, gentle care is the safest approach. Wipe with a soft cloth and avoid harsh chemicals, abrasive cleaners and extreme heat. Avoid ultrasonic cleaning unless the manufacturer specifically states that it is safe for your piece.
Swarovski Crystal
Polish Swarovski crystal jewelry carefully with a soft, lint-free cloth. Remove it before washing your hands or swimming, and keep it away from perfume, hairspray, soap and lotion. Store it carefully and protect the crystals from hard impacts that could scratch or chip them.
Caring for Portuguese Cork
Cork jewelry needs very little fuss. For routine cleaning, gently wipe the cork with a soft, slightly damp cloth and allow it to air-dry naturally.
If your piece includes sterling silver, polish the silver components carefully while keeping silver polish and other cleaning products away from the cork. Avoid soaking the piece or using abrasive cleaners.
Fashion Jewelry & Sea Glass
Because these pieces may combine glass, plated metals and other decorative materials, gentle care is the safest routine. Wipe pieces with a soft microfiber or lint-free cloth after wearing them. Avoid harsh chemicals, abrasive cleaners and prolonged soaking, and store pieces carefully to help protect their surfaces from scratches and wear.
A Few Simple Habits Make a Difference
Put jewelry on after perfume, lotion and other beauty products, store pieces carefully, and use the gentlest appropriate cleaning method for the materials in your piece.
If you're unsure how to care for a particular Crabby Mermaid piece, contact us before trying a jewelry cleaner, polishing product or cleaning method you're uncertain about.