I am currently not taking any fully custom orders, but many times I am willing to make items I already have in my shop in custom sizes or with alterations, just ask!

First, avoid getting any stray chemicals on your jewelry. Sterling may have reactions with different chemicals that may cause it to oxidize (turn black) quite quickly. Invisible build up of things like perfume and hairsray will also dull the shine of your silver. Avoid any lotions containing sulpher. Always remove jewelry before exposing to chemicals in water when swimming or washing dishes. You may leave on silver jewelry while showering but just be sure to dry it well afterwards. Don't leave your jewelry in a damp place like near a sink for long periods. When not in use your silver should be stored in a dry airtight place not rubbing on other pieces which can cause scratches in the metal.

All sterling silver will eventually form tarnish, (also called oxidization) which is a reaction the metal has with oxygen. When cared for properly as indicated above, this process will take a very long time to take affect. If the silver does become oxidized though, the good news is it should be fairly easy to remove. The easiest way is with a silver polishing cloth, which can be purchased almost anywhere. Another way is to purchase a silver dip, this is a chemical dip that instantly removes the tarnish from the metal by simply dipping the piece into the jar. I do caution that jewelry with delicate stones should be avoided with this method though, always read instructions carefully.

There are some easy ways to remove tarnish from your jewelry with things you may already have around the house.

For jewelry without gemstones, I recommend the baking soda/aluminum foil method shown here in this great youtube video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YK-TjnACFLY

You may also use ketchup or lemon juice to remove tarnish from your silver jewelry. Gemstones should be avoided when using these methods, so if the items in question contain gemstones, ketchup should be used and applied carefully to metal only. Apply for 5 minutes at a time then check/ rinse and repeat as necessary. Do not leave for too long as the acid will eventually etch the metal and take away the shine.

You may have purchased a piece of jewelry with an oxidized (blackened) finish. For a purely oxidized finish, no polishing will ever be necessary, the jewelry will tarnish naturally and be slightly polished by natural wear leaving a unique edgy/rustic look. This is a great finish for anyone who likes to keep things low maintenance, the look will only be enhanced with age and wear. If this needs to be cleaned it should be done with gentle soap and water and a soft cloth, be careful not to rub too hard as this may rub some of the patina off.

For a mixed finish sterling silver piece (bright with oxidized stamped patterns), only a polishing cloth should be used to clean and remove tarnish, carefully avoiding the intentionally oxidized areas like the embossed design details. For flat surfaces with impressions, a polishing cloth can be layed down on a hard flat surface, and the piece rubbed over the surface.

Brushed sterling silver requires special care and maintenance to keep the brushed textured finish. If at all possible, prevention of tarnish should be a first priority as detailed above. If the piece doesn't have any oxidized details, I recommend a silver dip for tarnish removal. A polishing cloth should not be used on this finish since it will remove the brushed texture. The baking soda/aluminum foil at home method linked above can also be used if there are no sensitive gemstones in the piece.

All of the bronze and copper pieces in my shop can be cared for the same as the silver items, so please refer to the corresponding section for silver items such as bright, oxidized, mixed finishes, or brushed. Some silver polishing cloths and dips can be used for copper and bronze as well, please read product instructions carefully to be sure. Bronze and copper tend to tarnish slightly easier than sterling silver so preventative care should be followed to keep them bright unless you want to allow them to oxidize for a more rustic look.

All of my jewelry comes packaged ready for gift giving, in a satin ribboned gift box or black velvet ring box. A holiday tag can be added to any order upon request at no extra charge, and can be shipped directly to the recipient. Please include that request in "notes to seller" upon checkout, and specify what names should be added to From: To: tags.