Heirloom-Worthy Care

Materials used in all EVERYDAY HEIRLOOM CO. pieces are carefully selected to ensure the best quality possible. While we have created a standard of using 14k gold materials, select designs are available in gold-filled, gold vermeil and sterling silver options. These metal/gold material alternatives are high in quality, and with proper care and storage, you will have affordable jewelry that lasts. Here are a few recommendations to ensure your everyday jewelry remains heirloom-worthy.

Humidity and beauty products (such as hairsprays, perfumes, and lotions) may contain harsh chemicals that can tarnish your jewelry over time (including 14k gold). Believe it or not, body chemistry, though a bit of a wild card, is also a considerable factor in quick tarnishing. Gently wipe your necklaces of any products and skin oils with a soft jewelry polishing cloth for day-to-day maintenance. Store in a dry place when not in use.

For deep cleaning, use warm water and a wild soap bath. We highly recommend our Deep Clean Bath Jar. Gently use the extra soft toothbrush on the surface of both the pendant and the chain. Never use abrasive products to clean your jewelry. Dry with a soft cloth and be sure it is completely dry before storing.

*Please note that while  many of our necklaces are safe to wear in the shower or while exercising we highly suggest NOT wearing it in water if you can help it. We DO NOT recommend wearing your jewelry in swimming pools. Please inquire further via our CONTACT page if you have any questions.

With any of our *gold-filled and sterling silver options, you may notice your custom engraving darken over time. This is part of the natural "wear" and is to be expected with any gold-filled and sterling silver materials when engraved. 

 If you have customized any of our 14k solid gold items, these materials are made to last and engravings will not darken over time though should still be maintained with care.

HEIRLOOM COIN JEWELRY

Your heirloom coin is precious. A centuries’, one-of-a-kind piece of history. Make it last for another lifetime by removing it before dipping into pools, hot tubs, sulfur springs, saltwater ocean, etc. The chlorine and other chemicals and minerals in the water can damage the patina of your heirloom and repeated, prolonged exposure to water will alter and darken (or even green) over time the surface of your coin. Keep in mind, this goes for the shower too (see below for more on showers). 

When in doubt… DON’T. While you may be used to using harsh chemicals, ultrasonic cleaners and polishing paste on your modern jewelry, these cleansers can damage, and may even ruin, your treasure. SEE BELOW FOR MORE DETAILS ABOUT CLEANING YOUR HEIRLOOM.

Patina – it’s a beautiful thing! Patina, the natural toning and oxidation that occurs on silver, bronze and copper coins, is not dirt – it is a layer of what becomes protection for the coin formed over hundreds of years and is a valuable part of the coin’s unique history. 

Do's & Don'ts of EH Coin Jewelry Care

Do:

1. To clean your coin's bezel (the frame around the coin) with a soft jewelry polishing cloth. NOTE: The standard jewelry cloth has a gentle polishing compound in it. This won't hurt most coins, but others it can rub off and get into the surface texture and darken the coin. If this happens, follow the baking soda/tooth brush directions below.  
2. To remove skin oils and lotions smudges from your treasure coin, use warm water mixed with non-citrus, plain dish soap and a soft-bristle tooth brush. Blue Dawn Dish soap works well.
3. Rinse your jewelry with water and use a soft towel to gently and completely dry your piece.
4. To brighten your coin, you may gently rub it with wet fingers and/or soft bristle tooth brush and a mild whitening tooth paste, and then completely dry your piece with a soft towel. Do not submerge your coin jewelry in any liquid cleaner (we do NOT recommend our Deep Clean Bath Jar for cleaning these designs).
5. For occasional coin brightening (every few months or so): If your coin has darkened over time and the above is not brightening it sufficiently, make a light slurry of baking soda and water and gently rub your coin with wet fingers and/or soft bristle tooth brush and then completely dry your piece with a soft towel.

Don’t:

1. We suggest you remove your treasure before you shower. However, if it showers with you, rinse and dry it completely when your shower is over.
2. Do not swim in your heirloom! The chlorine and other chemicals in a pool, spa water, sulfur springs, etc. will damage the patina of your treasure, and repeated and prolonged exposure to water will alter and darken (or even green) over time the surface of your coin.
3. Do not use ultrasonic cleaners or polishing paste - they can damage, and may even ruin, your treasure. 

Specific Care Guides for bronze coins (used in ur Sparrow Coin Signet):

• Bronze Coins: From dark to green to a golden glow, it is the patina of aged heirloom coins that gives them their unique beauty. You should never scrub, buff or use anything abrasive on your bronze coins in an attempt to “polish them up.”You may clean your coin bezel (the metal frame around your coin) only with a jewelry polishing cloth. We do not recommend rubbing bronze coins with this type of cloth. To remove skin oils and smudges, use warm water mixed with  non-citrus, plain dish soap and a soft-bristle tooth brush. Rinse it in clean water and use a soft, cotton towel to gently and completely dry.

A Note On Skin Oils, Perspiration and Patinas:

You are now a part of your heirloom’s unique life! Your treasure will outlive you and me to become a part of your family for generations. And here’s where you (and your own skin) become part of the story! Our skin naturally produces oils and perspiration, and the acidity changes depending on our pH levels. 

Some folks' natural skin oils (not the chemical replacements found in lotions) serve as a protective barrier between your heirloom and the oxidizing power of the air. Others have more acidic skin oils that can cause silver and copper alloy (bronze) artifacts to darken. 

Both are natural. 

Your heirloom loves to be worn! Your own skin oils may give the raised design on your treasure an extra glow. This is a natural process that highlights even more detail in your unique piece.

If your skin oils tend to make your heirloom darker, follow the directions above to "brighten" or clean your treasure. If this persists, once it is clean AND DRY, some folks like to apply Jewelry Shield that puts a clear coating on the treasure. We use a variation of that here for copper and bronze artifacts. 

Please email us at Hannah@everydayheirloomco.com if you have any questions on how to best care for your heirloom designs!