Rescue rituals | Caring for your adornment
LOW IMPACT METAL CARE
Ara the altar adornment is designed for longevity. When thinking about a circular economy, looking after the pieces you own is so important. Caring for your metal is a simple way to prolong the life of your adornment.
Luckily, the best way you can care for your metal is to wear it regularly; every time a ring spins around your finger or a pendant brushes past your skin, the gentle friction polishes the surface of the metal which ultimately prevents tarnishing and keeps it looking shiny.
For those occasions when you choose to not wear your jewellery, the key thing you can do to prevent tarnish is to store the pieces in an air tight box or bag. A regular gentle polish with a soft cloth will keep your jewellery in lovely condition.
For those times when oxidation has started to occur and the metal is showing signs of tarnishing, a little rescue ritual may be in order.
Different metals react differently to the air due to their composition.
Here’s a few low-impact tips for taking care of your metal without the need for harsh chemicals:
RECYCLED SILVER
All silver Ara jewellery is solid, never plated, so feel free to put it on and leave it on in the shower but get in the habit of washing off any oils etc. with soapy water and drying it thoroughly.
When sterling silver is exposed to extreme heat or to the air for an extended period of time, the surface will begin to tarnish, taking on a brown and eventually black patina.
To remove tarnish, create a mixture of white vinegar, salt and baking powder with a little warm water. Leave the metal submerged in the mixture for a few hours before giving it a good polish with a soft cloth (and a bit of elbow grease) and then rinse clean. Be sure to thoroughly dry the piece afterwards.
If you find that your silver jewellery is black with tarnish, a little professional help may be required to complete the job. I offer a re-polishing service and will be happy to breathe new life Ito your jewellery. Get in touch to discuss your requirements.
RECYCLED GOLD
Ara’s recycled gold adornment is made from solid 9ct yellow or rose gold. Due to the gold content this metal is more resistant to tarnishing than silver, but will still take on a gentle patina over time if left exposed to the air for long periods.
Feel free to wear your gold in the shower but again get in the habit of keeping it clean from oils by washing it with a little soapy water and always drying it afterwards.
All gold Ara adornment is designed to be put on and left on but if you find you are not wearing it regularly, it’s good to get in the habit of giving it a gentle polish with a soft cloth.
FROSTED OR DUSTED FINISH
Ara the altar’s frosted or dusted finish is essentially created by adding lots of tiny scratches to the surface of the metal, rather than polishing it to a high shine. If your jewellery has a frosted or dusted finish, the more you polish or even wear it, the tiny scratches will lessen and it will begin to look more shiny over time.
A rough and ready way to keep your adornment looking more matte than shiny is with some fine sandpaper or wet and dry paper. You can pick this up at your local hardware store, use the finest grain (highest number) you can - I’d recommend 800 or higher.
If at any point you’d like to breathe a little life back into your Ara adornment with a re-polish, a re-frost or even a different surface texture, get in touch to discuss your requirements.
— Lauren