Materials & Jewellery Care

Materials:
Dainty & Yours specialises in crafting jewellery that last. The materials ranges depending on the design, however most of the pieces are 
made from sterling silver (925 silver). All sterling silver pieces have an additional rhodium plating that coats the silver to give each piece extra durability. Our gold pieces consist of a sterling silver base varnished with either 14K or 18K gold vermeil. Our gold pieces are protected with an electronically applied layer of coating (e-coating) for extra protection.

Sterling silver will naturally oxidise with prolonged use. It may tarnish even faster when exposed to chlorine, humidity or chemicals with high acidity. To prevent tarnish from accumulating it is best to remove your jewellery when taking part in activities that will result in exposure to liquids and other chemicals. 

For our gold vermeil pieces, e-coating will allow it to have longer wearability and will not tarnish like sterling silver. However, gold vermeil will eventually become dirty and colour may fade with wear. Like sterling silver, it is best to avoid wearing gold jewellery if you are likely to be in contact with liquids and chemicals with high acidity. Once dulled, the only way to retrieve colour is to replace the gold vermeil layer through a mechanical process.

How to clean sterling silver jewellery:
There are a number of ways to clean and maintain the condition of sterling silver. Accompanying each order we provide a silver polishing cloth for you to use to bring the shine back to your pieces. Keep your jewellery sealed in our airtight zipped bag to keep it looking its best. Although we do not support plastic, this is the best way to keep your jewellery dry and avoid contact with air.

There are a variety of ways to remove layers of tarnish from your jewellery:
- Gently rub the silver jewellery with our silver polishing cloth and repeat until the tarnish fades
- Apply toothpaste on a baby tooth brush and gently scrub the tarnish off your jewellery
(Avoid brushing too hard as it may leave scratches on the silver)
- For heavier tarnish, mix three parts baking soda to one part water. Gently wet the silver and apply a small amount of the solution to a soft, lint-free cloth. Rub gently over crevices and turn the cloth as it gathers tarnish. Rinse well and buff dry.