A piece of jewelry is a delicate product that requires careful maintenance and regular cleaning by its user.

Gold and Silver are soft and slightly malleable precious metals, which, due to continuous use, are subject to natural wear and tear, gaining scratches and losing their original uniform appearance, which is a normal situation.

Silver, in particular, may tarnish and oxidize (darken) over time, but this process will progress faster if the metal comes into contact with various aggressive agents. Similarly, Gold also tends to become damaged over time under the same effects.

These processes therefore depend on several factors and the lack of routine care, and are considered by the Martha Almeida Brand as wear and tear and not a manufacturing defect.

For the proper preservation and longevity of your jewelry, the following routine care is recommended:

  • Handle your pieces gently, with care and delicacy.
  • Frequently check the clasps on earrings, necklaces, and bracelets, as well as the prongs and settings holding the stones, to prevent loss.
  • Avoid contact with cleaning products or other abrasive chemicals (e.g., bleach, chlorine, acetone) to preserve their original shine.
  • Avoid direct contact with cosmetics, perfumes, and sanitizing alcohol. Apply these products and wait a few minutes for them to dry on your skin. Only then should you put on your jewelry.
  • Remove rings before washing your hands or doing dishes to avoid wear, potential stone breakage, or even loss.
  • Remove pieces before bathing (in the sea, pool, or shower) to preserve their original shine for longer.
  • Avoid wearing jewelry while playing sports or while using gloves (in the case of rings), as body sweat can cause oxidation stains on silver pieces.
  • Avoid sleeping with your jewelry on.
  • When not wearing your jewelry, we recommend storing it carefully, closed in transparent plastic bags or in its original packaging, to avoid friction with other pieces and exposure to air, dust, and humidity. If you prefer to use a jewelry box, ensure the pieces are kept closed and in separate compartments.

Gold-plated or Oxidized Silver

The gold plating on silver jewelry does not last forever, since silver is naturally silver-colored and the plating consists only of the deposition of a layer of gold on its surface. For this reason, gold-plated silver jewelry requires greater care to preserve its color for longer. The speed at which the plating fades depends on many factors, namely the use of products containing alcohol, the level of body sweat, or the skin's pH. Should the plating wear off, it can be reapplied. This service is chargeable and the cost varies depending on the piece in question.

Oxidation is a surface treatment, intentionally induced by immersing the piece in a specific product. To maintain this effect for longer, avoid washing the pieces and never scrub them. The patina acquired through oxidation is naturally a temporary transformation, which becomes less uniform and wears off over time with continued use. The oxidation color loses its uniformity more quickly on pieces that are in direct contact with the skin, such as rings.

Maintenance services for all jewelry are provided by the Martha Almeida brand, but are not covered by the warranty and are carried out upon prior quote and subject to approval. To request a quote, please contact us via email at info@marthaalmeida.com.

How to clean your jewelry at home

925 STERLING SILVER:

To remove oxidation and restore the shine of 925 Sterling Silver pieces, we recommend using a silver cleaner. We recommend products from the brand HAGERTY.

Hagerty silver cleaning and care bath:

  1. Immerse the pieces in the jar, stir by rotating the basket, close the jar with the lid, and let it act for 2 minutes.
  2. Remove the pieces from the jar and clean them with a brush. For Unpolished Silver pieces, use a wire brush. For Polished Silver pieces, use a soft brush.
  3. Rinse the pieces in lukewarm water to remove the product.
  4. Dry them very well and store them as previously indicated.
  5. Close the jar again, and the bath can be reused several times.

If you are unable to clean your pieces, please send an email to info@marthaalmeida.com.

925 STERLING SILVER WITH 24-KARAT GOLD PLATING, RHODIUM PLATING, OR OXIDATION TREATMENT:

  1. Immerse the pieces in lukewarm water with a pH-neutral detergent and let them soak for 10 minutes.
  2. Rinse them under running water and clean them with a soft brush.
  3. Dry them very well with a soft cloth and store them as previously indicated.
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