Jewelry Care Guide
Jewelry care is essential for keeping your Estella Collection pieces as brilliant as the day you got them. Whether you're adorning your ears, wrists, neck, or fingers, these tips will ensure each piece maintains its beauty and longevity. Here’s a care guide tailored specifically to Estella’s categories.
Flat Back Earrings
Flat back earrings are a modern twist on traditional designs, offering comfort and security, especially for cartilage and advanced piercings.
Care Tips:
- Avoid Harsh Products: Keep face wash, lotion, sunscreen, and shampoo away from your earrings. The chemicals can dull the metals and affect the gemstones.
- Rinse After Showers: After showering, rinse the piercing area with clean water to remove any residue.
- Pat Dry: Gently pat the earrings and surrounding skin dry with a clean paper towel. Avoid fabric towels, which can harbor bacteria or snag the jewelry.
- Choose the Right Length: If your earring won’t screw in all the way, it’s likely you have the incorrect post size. The right post length is crucial to avoid losing your jewelry or irritating your skin. For most healed piercings, a 6mm or 8mm post is comfortable. However, thicker ears may require a 10mm post, while thinner ears may need a shorter 5mm post.
- Secure the Fit: Regularly check the screw of your flat back earrings, especially after swimming or wearing tight-fitting hats, to ensure they are still tightly secured.
- Gentle Cleaning: Use a soft toothbrush and mild soap to clean your earrings once a month. Avoid ultrasonic or harsh chemical cleaners, which can damage stones or metals.
Rings
Whether you’ve selected a dainty band or a statement ring, proper care will keep it looking stunning for years to come.
Care Tips:
- Avoid Chemicals: Remove your rings before applying lotions, perfumes, or engaging in activities that involve harsh chemicals (e.g., cleaning or swimming in chlorinated water). These can tarnish metals and damage stones.
- Polish Regularly: Use a soft, lint-free cloth to gently buff your ring to keep it shiny and free of fingerprints.
- Safe Storage: When not wearing your ring, store it in a soft pouch or box to prevent scratching.
- Avoid Hard Knocks: Remove rings before heavy lifting or intense physical activity to avoid bending the band or damaging the gemstones.
Necklaces
Necklaces add a touch of elegance to any outfit, and with proper care, they’ll remain a staple in your wardrobe.
Care Tips:
- Put It On Last: Always wear your necklace after applying skincare, makeup, and perfumes to prevent the chemicals from tarnishing the metal.
- Clean Gently: Clean your necklace by soaking it in warm water with mild dish soap for 5–15 minutes. Gently brush with a soft-bristled toothbrush to remove any dirt, then rinse and dry thoroughly.
- Store Properly: Hang your necklaces or store them in individual pouches to prevent tangling and scratching.
- Avoid Wearing During Physical Activities: Remove your necklace during sports or exercise to prevent it from breaking or getting caught on something.
Bracelets
Bracelets are often exposed to a lot of wear and tear. Here’s how to keep them looking fresh.
Care Tips:
- Remove for Housework: Take off your bracelet before housework or gardening to prevent exposure to chemicals, dirt, or hard knocks that could cause scratches or bending.
- Avoid Overstretching: If your bracelet has an elastic or flexible design, avoid overstretching it to prevent damage.
- Regular Cleaning: For solid metal bracelets, clean them with warm water and a soft brush. For delicate chains, use a polishing cloth to maintain their shine.
- Safe Storage: Store bracelets flat to prevent warping, and keep them in a dry, cool place away from direct sunlight to avoid tarnishing.
Earrings
Earrings can quickly collect oils, skin products, and even environmental dirt, dulling their shine.
Care Tips:
- Avoid Hairspray and Perfume: Keep your earrings away from direct exposure to hairspray, perfume, and other cosmetics that can tarnish metals and cloud gemstones.
- Rinse After Showers: Always rinse your ears and earrings after showering to remove shampoo and conditioner residue.
- Clean Regularly: Wipe your earrings with a soft cloth after each wear, and deep clean them monthly by soaking them in a solution of warm water and mild soap, followed by a gentle scrub with a soft brush.
- Secure Backings: Check your earring backings regularly to make sure they are securely fastened to prevent accidental loss.
General Jewelry Care Tips
- Avoid Exposure to the 3 S's: Always take off your jewelry before swimming, sweating, or steaming to avoid tarnishing metals and damaging delicate stones.
- Use a Jewelry Kit: Keep a soft cloth, a small brush, and mild soap on hand for regular at-home cleaning. For more complex pieces, a jeweler can provide professional cleaning and maintenance services.
- Store with Care: When not wearing your jewelry, store each piece in a separate, lined box or pouch to avoid scratching and tangling.
Taking proper care of your Estella Collection jewelry ensures that each piece continues to sparkle, making it a cherished part of your collection for years to come.