The AKA collection is entirely handcrafted and requires delicate handling. Please note that certain oils, body lotions, tanning products, and other skincare formulas may discolour, cause oxidation or tarnish the delicate metals and natural details. Chemicals such as chlorine can damage, discolour or erode precious metals and gemstones. Allowing an item to sit in a damp place (ie. a wet counter) will most likely damage the metal, so please take care.
14 karat gold filled, brass, & gold plating all have a tendency to oxidize (turn black) when exposed to oxygen and light. To help prevent this, when not being worn, always keep your jewelry away from light, air & moisture to prevent oxidation. Using mini ziplock bags inside your jewelry box is a great way to do this!
We do not advise using any kind of jewelry cleaning solutions or cloths on gold plating, as this can change the colour of the metal.
AKA is not responsible for the maintenance of your jewelry. If your items do tarnish immediately, it can be caused by a metal-to-skin oil reaction. Each persons oils make metal react differently, in this case, it's not our responsibility to return or exchange your item. We apologize in advance.
KEEP YOUR JEWELRY THE HAPPIEST
- Always put jewelry on after you apply makeup, perfume and hairspray (the chemicals in these products may affect your jewelry)
- Don't wear jewelry in swimming pools, spas or the shower.
- After each wearing, gently wipe each piece of jewelry (don't forget the backs of your earrings) clean of make up and skin oils with a 100% cotton cloth.
- Store jewelry separately in a ziploc bag so it doesn’t scratch other jewelry or get tangled.
- Avoid chlorine, detergents, perfume, cosmetics, hairspray or leaving jewelry in wet places like the bathroom.
- ROLL any stretch bracelets over your wrist to prevent stretch cord from snapping.
Gold-filled is a brass sheet or brass core with a pressure-bonded outside layer of gold to produce the look of gold at a more reasonable price.
Gold Plating is a method of depositing a layer of gold onto the surface of sterling silver through an electrochemical process. Care should be taken when cleaning gold-filled and gold plated jewelry to protect the layer of gold from being worn away or nicked. Do not use abrasive compounds to clean the jewelry.
Although Gold Filled and Gold Plated jewelry will not tarnish, it will get dirty. The oils from your skin transfer to the metal which can cause oxidation and need to be washed off periodically.
Sterling silver is an alloy of silver containing 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals, usually copper. The first thing to understand is sterling silver tarnishes typically by things that we do or not do and/or wear. Perfume, colognes, lotions, sweaty skin and hair products can all be contributing factors to tarnishing your shiny jewelry. When the jewelry is removed and the residue isn’t wiped off, the chemicals will contribute to the tarnishing process. Harsh chemicals from dishwater detergents, chlorine and the like will tarnish sterling silver.
If sterling silver is exposed to the air and left unprotected when not being worn, tarnish becomes inevitable. The less air and light your silver is exposed to when you aren’t wearing it, the less tarnish will occur, making it easy to have shiny jewelry each and every time you’re ready to wear it. Taking the time to keep your jewelry clean after wearing it and storing it away from light and air is all that’s needed to cut down on tarnish significantly.
If you have any specific questions, please contact us here.
