How do I care for my jewellery?
Refer to the Tips on Care section of the website for more detailed instructions.
Don’t sleep in your necklaces or bracelets, for a start! Although I test each piece of jewellery for sturdiness, most of what I make is quite dainty and might not stand up to the constant kinking and tugging caused when sleeping in them. (The exception to this are the hex hoops, which are designed as sleepers).
All of my pieces ship with a slip of yellow polish cloth. You can use it to buff silver and gold-filled pieces back to a lovely shine and lustre. You can also use the cloth on brass and copper pieces.
Could you tell me about the polish cloth? Is it safe for babies and pets?
The cloth is far friendlier to animals and pets than others on the market, but avoid leaving them around where animals or children would chew on them. If you’re sensitive to dust, do your jewellery polishing outside, or by a window.
Wash your hands after use. If the piece you’re polishing goes anywhere near your mouth or eyes, I recommend rinsing it and wiping it dry.
Use the polish cloth until it is completely black or does not appear to polish any more, then discard it in your household garbage bin. Avoid polishing pearls and softer stones directly with the polish cloth.
Refer to the Tips on Care section of the website for more information.
i broke something! can you repair it?
Take a few pictures and send it through the contact form, or DM me on instagram. Please include a detailed picture of the break. If you need a replacement for a hex hoop, please show me a picture of the hoop alongside an (accurately scaled!) measuring tape or ruler. Do the same if you are looking to commission a replacement chain.
Depending on the kind of damage we’re talking about, I can usually tell what we need to do to repair or replace it, and what it will cost. Depending on the severity of the repair job, if you live in Vancouver, you may also be able to bring it to me at a market I’m vending at for met to fix while you wait.
Do you Ship worldwide?
I can offer fixed shipping rates for Canada, although I recommend that orders over $200 be insured and that you spend a little extra to mail the item with priority shipping. If shipping outside of Canada to North America, let’s talk! Please note you’ll be responsible for customs fees on your end.
What is gold-filled jewellery?
The short answer is that gold-filled jewellery is an economical compromise between solid gold and gold-plated jewellery.
Like gold-plated jewellery, gold-filled jewellery also bonds gold to the surface of a base metal (usually brass, pure copper or silver), but the gold layer can be several hundred times thicker. For a product to be labelled gold-filled, 1/20 of the piece’s metal weight must be gold or a gold alloy. 14-karat yellow gold is favoured for jewellery – its warm tone is complemented by a balance of strength and affordability.
When cleaned and treated carefully, gold-filled jewellery can last decades and provide longstanding wear at a price far more affordable than solid gold.
What is that black and silver chain made of?
The starlight chain (as I preciously refer to it) is made of sterling silver that has been oxidized black, then treated to keep it dark. The brightly polished beads that give it its name are also sterling silver.
how do i care for my starlight chain?
While you can use the polishing cloth on the silver beads, and while the treated black parts won’t rub off under normal wear, avoid dipping it in anything more strenuous than a gentle soap and water solution to clean it. This will maximise its lifespan and while keeping it sparkling.
For all sterling silver jewellery, please also avoid those store-bought silver tarnish strippers, which actually damages and pits the top layer of the chain as it removes tarnish.