Caring for your JEWELRY

Please be advised that we are not responsible for wear and tear or misuse of your previously purchased  jewelry pieces; however, Natalie will gladly try to repair  your pieces if at all possible for a fee. (the cost of repairs are dependent on the pieces).

Gold:

While gold is tarnish resistant, it can get dirty or smudged. To care for your NATALIE BARAT fine jewelry, we recommend cleaning them with a mild detergent. You can use a soft brush but avoid using an abrasive as it can scratch the gold, however if it’s the mat finish gold you are attempting to clean feel free to wipe it with scotch bright to keep the mat look. Be sure to rinse and wipe clean.

Using ammonia as a cleaning method is one that should not be used on gold jewelry. It’s very effective in removing dirt and grime, but cleaning too frequently with ammonia can leave your gold jewelry damaged or tinted, Exposure to chemicals can damage or discolor precious metals and may also harm some gemstones.

Gemstones:

All natural stones need to be handled with care, Gemstones can break or crack if dropped please be mindful of your fine jewelry, they are precious and should be treated with care and respect.

Excessive heat and sudden temperature changes can fracture some gems, please take great care to make your fine jewelry last for years to come.

We are strongly discouraging the use of ultrasonic cleaners. Some stones should never be cleaned bu the ultrasonic cleaner in particular pealrs, moonstones, turquoise, zircon, lapis, opal and topas may come loose from the setting or even chip due to the vibration of the machine.Most colored gems can be cleaned with warm water and mild dish soap and a soft brush. Be cautious not to loose your gems or jewelry pieces down the sink drain, we suggest using a glass to rinse off the excess soap to avoid loosing any pieces down the drain.

Sterling Silver:

Sterling Silver is a popular material for jewelry for its versatility and beauty. Over time, the metal can tarnish or corrode. It is important to properly care for Sterling Silver jewelry to keep it looking as beautiful as the first day you received it. Proper care includes being conscious of how you store, wear, and clean your jewelry.

Tarnishing (also known as oxidation) is a result of oxygen or sulfur coming into contact with sterling silver. Tarnished silver is duller and sometimes a dark color. Natalie Barat silver Jewelry are made from high-quality .925 Sterling Silver – and higher purity silver will tarnish more quickly. Some of the designs are intentionally oxidized to create depth or highlight certain details on a piece of jewelry.

STORING YOUR STERLING SILVER JEWELRY

Oxygen and moisture in the air will tarnish Sterling Silver Jewelry, so it’s important to properly store your jewelry to help minimize the oxidation process. Here are a few storage tips:

• Store in an area with low humidity (no bathroom storage).
• Store each piece in an airtight (Ziploc) bag.
• Place a packet of silica or piece of chalk in the storage bag.
• Keep clasps/closures unhooked to avoid moisture buildup.

WEARING YOUR STERLING SILVER JEWELRY

Interesting fact: You can avoid tarnish by wearing your jewelry often! The natural oils in your skin will actually help protect and clean the silver. However, there are certain activities that can cause your jewelry to lose its luster quickly! You should remove your Sterling Silver jewelry before doing any of the following:

• Working Out
• Swimming
• Showering
• Cleaning
• Sunbathing
• Applying Hairspray, Hair Products, or perfume
• Putting on Lotion and Makeup

CLEANING YOUR STERLING SILVER JEWELRY

Even the best-cared-for jewelry will sometimes require cleaning. Polishing your sterling silver jewelry will typically be the best way to clean it. Be sure to do the following:

• Use a special non-abrasive cloth to avoid scratching.
• Move to a new section of the cloth regularly.
• Avoid areas that are intentionally oxidized as part of the design.
• Do not rub in a circular pattern –  follow the grain of the silver.
• You can also use baking soda to remove tarnish from your sterling silver chains; simply pour some baking soda powder in some paper towel or a soft cloth, place the chain on the powder and fold the paper/cloth over the chain, grabbing one end of the chain or clasp of the chain, run it in between the cloth and the powder then repeat from the other end of the chain, be sure to rinse and dry the chain after you have cleaned it.
• Alternatively you can clean occasionally using a pan lined with aluminum foil, warm water, vinegar, and baking soda, this creates a chemical reaction that will remove tarnish from silver.

Simple things – like paying attention to how you store, wear, and clean your sterling silver jewelry, can prolong its life dramatically. Remember to always store your jewelry in a dry and air-tight place. Wear your jewelry often, but be sure to remove it when showering, swimming, or working with certain chemicals or foods that contain sulfur. As a general rule, it’s always best to put on your jewelry last when getting dressed. Polishing your jewelry before it becomes too tarnished will minimize the amount of work needed, but be sure to use the right type of cloth and stroke pattern. These small and simple steps will help keep your sterling silver jewelry looking brilliant for years to come.

Surface Finishes:

Oxidized pieces will eventually wear off the silver base; this is a natural part of the character.
All matte surfaces will become shiny with time and wear, also part of its normal character. You can bring back the matte finish by using scotch bright pad on the surface.

Pearls:

If you have a fine jewelry piece that contains a pearl, extra care should be taken. Cultured and Tahitian pearls are precious jewels and should be treated accordingly. Cosmetics, hair sprays and perfume should be applied before putting on pearl jewelry. Extra care can be taken by wiping the pearl carefully with a soft cloth to remove any traces of these substances when you take off the jewelry. You can also wash your pearl with mild soap and water. Do not clean cultured pearls with any chemicals, abrasives or solvents. Pearls can get scratched or even break so extra care taking is definitely recommended.

If set in silver find your local jeweler for professional cleaning.

Brass and Copper:

Brass and copper jewelry will tarnish and darken pretty rapidly over time, to ensure the life of you jewelry pieces, do not expose them to water. Please remove your jewelry while exercising, bathing, and swimming, and avoid contact with perfumes, lotions or hair products.

I recommend cleaning your  jewelry using a damp, soft cloth. Make sure to fully dry the pieces before wearing them. Do not use harsh chemicals, jewelry cleaners, or polishing cloths, as this will affect the finish. We suggest storing your brass and copper jewelry in air tight plastic zip lock bags separately and in a low humidity area. for the matt finished pieces you can use a piece of scotch bright to vigorously add the matt and shine back onto the piece.

Please remember that as this is not fine jewelry, we highly recommend that you follow these instructions carefully.

NATALIE BARAT is not responsible for the maintenance of your jewelry and does not polish purchased jewelry.

**Please note if you damage your jewelry piece, break a chain, loose an earring or a stone/pearl, I am not responsible for fixing or replacing it, however I will be glad to do so for an additional cost.**

ALSO all the cord jewelry if the cord comes loose, breaks or get old with normal use I am glad to replace the cord but it will cost up to $50 to re-cord your bracelet, ring or necklace that is made with a silk cord. for example all the open heart pieces that are on cords.