I recently had a customer buy a very large piece from me, and as they pulled it out of its box, I could see them holding it almost with fear—as if it might break.
Let me tell you something: the jewelry I make is strong. Every single piece goes through hours of work, including being whapped under a mallet and torched under flame.
Sure, silver and brass are softer metals compared to steel—they will age and change over time. And honestly, I think that process is beautiful: it’s a melding of the wearer and the piece.
But you’re not going to break the metal. The most delicate part of any piece is usually the stone. If you throw a rock hard enough, it’ll crack—so don’t throw your jewelry around. 🙂
First Care Step: Decide Between Natural or Polished
First, think about the look you want:
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Natural aging: If you enjoy the process of your jewelry changing over time, minimal upkeep is needed. I personally love this look and only polish my pieces every couple of years when they get really dark.
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Polished finish: If you want to maintain the original shine, I use these polishing pads before the pieces leave the studio. (FYI: Amazon Affiliate link).
Tips for polishing at home:
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Focus only on the top surfaces.
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Avoid scrubbing the darkened indents—you’ll remove some of the texture and detail.
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A quick scrub with a polishing pad will bring back that fresh shine instantly.
Ancestral Vision Pendant, with more natural finish
Water Considerations: To Bathe or Not to Bathe
Water exposure depends on the piece:
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Pieces with stones:
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Avoid water whenever possible. Turquoise and other porous stones can discolor or weaken with prolonged exposure.
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A quick hand wash is fine, but I personally remove rings with stones to protect them over time.
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Metal-only pieces:
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Water won’t damage the metal, but it will speed up the natural aging process.
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If you like the aged look, water isn’t a problem.
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To maintain a polished finish, keep your jewelry dry whenever possible.
Gothic Onyx Druzy Cuff-- keep your stones out of water!!
Final Thoughts
Your jewelry is strong, beautiful, and made to be worn.
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Decide whether you prefer natural aging or a polished shine.
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Polish carefully if needed, focusing on the top surfaces.
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Be mindful of water, especially with stones.
With just a little care, your pieces will last for years—and only gain more character with time.
