Guide: Caring for your Cremation Jewelry

Occasional cleaning or polishing of your cremation jewelry may be necessary for best presentation. Always avoid chlorine when wearing your jewelry: Never clean your jewelry with chlorine bleach. Bleach ruins metal via oxidization and turns it black. To be on the safe side, you should remove jewelry before doing any household chores. Many common household cleaners have bleach and other chemicals that may adversely affect jewelry. In addition, don't swim or go in a hot tub wearing fine jewelry because prolonged exposure to chlorine in a swimming pool can turn it black.

Sterling silver tarnishes. If possible, store your sterling silver jewelry in tarnish prevention cloths or bags. The treated cloth slows down the tarnishing process and keeps the jewelry from rubbing against harder jewelry that might scratch it. Try to keep your sterling silver jewelry in a cool, dry place. Polishing cloths are an excellent choice for cleaning your sterling silver jewelry. Do not use toothpaste to clean sterling silver,as toothpaste is abrasive.

Gold-plated jewelry is made by covering sterling silver, with a layer of 14K gold. Since the gold is only a layer, it will eventually wear away. This wearing away process is not eligible for warranty replacement. Gold-plated pieces can be re-dipped by a jeweler. To clean, lightly wipe your gold-plated jewelry with a damp cotton cloth. This will help to eliminate any dirt or dust from accumulating on the surface and wearing away the gold layer. Polishing cream should not be used on gold-plated items.

Light tarnish on gold can be removed by using soapy water and a soft bristle brush. A soft toothbrush and some dishwashing liquid also work well. See below

• Dip the toothbrush in the water and get the bristles into all of the crevices.
• Then rinse the piece in warm water until the water runs clear.
• After gentle scrubbing, buff the piece dry with a soft, lint-free cloth to make it shine. You can also use a specially treated cloth or other cleaning jewelry cleaning products. If your gold jewelry does not contain colored gemstones, you can clean it with an ultrasonic cleaning machine.
• Finally, if you have a problem with heavy tarnish, please consult a jeweler. Use a non-abrasive jewelry polishing cloth and gently rub the gold-plated jewelry to restore shine.