Jewellery Care
A Few Further Care Instructions
It is important to take care of your jewellery and purchased items so they remain in good condition and last a long time.
When you are not wearing your jewellery, store each piece in the pouch it came in and keep it away from direct sunlight and heat.
To maximise the longevity of your jewellery, please follow these general care guidelines:
General Jewellery Care
Avoid moisture:
Stainless steel items are water-resistant; however, to extend the life of your jewellery, we recommend limiting exposure to water, including showering, hand-washing, and swimming. Water mixed with chemicals such as chlorine or soap can cause tarnishing.
Sterling silver, plated Sterling silver, copper or brass pieces that are gold-plated should avoid moisture as much as possible to reduce plating wear.
Remove during exercise and sleeping:
Delicate pieces may bend or break during movement or pressure.
Apply cosmetics first:
Perfumes, body products, and makeup can damage gold plating and jewellery materials. Apply products first and ensure they are fully dry before putting on your jewellery.
Use anti-tarnish, closeable pouches:
Store your jewellery in the provided anti-tarnish pouches when not in use.
Clean gently:
Use only a soft polishing cloth to clean your jewellery.
A little love goes a long way — and so will your jewellery when these steps are followed.
Material-Specific Care Instructions
Our pieces are made from a variety of materials. Please refer to the care instructions below for your specific item.
If you are unsure of the items material you purchased, feel free to message us on Instagram or email us at contact@florencebytheocean.com.au
Stainless Steel
Characteristics:
Durable, tarnish-resistant, and hypoallergenic for most people.
Care Instructions:
Cleaning: Wipe regularly with a soft, lint-free cloth. For deeper cleaning, use warm water with mild soap, soak briefly, rinse, and dry thoroughly.
Avoid: Harsh chemicals such as chlorine, bleach, strong detergents, or shampoos, may dull the finish or cause minor tarnishing at the edges.
Storage: Store in a separate pouch or cloth bag to prevent scratching other jewellery (stainless steel itself is quite tough).
Tip: If your piece includes stones, beads or additional materials, avoid soaking it or long periods of contact with water. Clean gently with a damp cloth to prevent stones or components from loosening.
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Sterling Silver
Characteristics:
A precious, soft metal that may tarnish over time due to exposure to air and moisture.
Care Instructions:
Cleaning: Use a silver polishing cloth (available online). Alternatively, gently clean with warm water and a few drops of mild dish soap using a soft cloth. Dry thoroughly after cleaning.
Avoid: Perfumes, lotions, hairspray, makeup, household cleaning chemicals, and chlorine. Even air exposure and natural skin oils can cause silver to oxidise over time. This is normal, but good storage and cleaning habits will slow the process.
Storage: Store in the provided pouch or a sealed compartment. Keep pieces separate to avoid scratches.
A sterling silver care card will be provided with your purchase.
Gold-Plated Sterling Silver
Characteristics:
A layer of gold plated over sterling silver, offering a luxurious shine. More delicate than solid gold or stainless steel.
Care Instructions:
Cleaning: Gently wipe with a soft, damp cloth. Avoid silver polishing cloths, as they may remove the gold plating.
Avoid: Perfume, sweat, lotions, and water — especially swimming, showering, or washing hands while wearing rings. These can cause the gold layer to wear off faster.
Storage: Store in a soft pouch or jewellery box, separate from other pieces to prevent friction and scratches.
A sterling silver care card will be provided with your purchase.
Gold-Plated Brass or Copper
Characteristics:
Base metals such as brass and copper can oxidise and react with moisture and skin. Gold plating provides shine but can wear off with constant exposure to moisture.
Care Instructions:
Cleaning: Wipe gently with a soft, dry cloth after each use. Avoid water and cleaning solutions, as they can cause oxidation or remove the gold layer.
Avoid: Moisture, humidity, sweat, perfumes, and lotions.
Storage: Store in an airtight pouch or the pouch provided at purchase.
A metal specific care card will be provided with your purchase.
Additional Tips, Questions & Answers
Our jewellery is classified as fashion / costume jewellery.
Can the plating wear off?
Yes. Gold plating can wear off over time, especially with frequent wear. With proper care, plating can last for many years and remain beautiful. Natural wear over time is considered normal wear and tear.
If something feels loose or doesn’t seem right:
Often, this is fixable and does not mean the item is broken or defective. Please contact us and we’ll be happy to assist.
Earrings – Clasp Issues
If the clasp on your earring does not close properly, this can occur with frequent wear and removal. This is common with hoops and huggie earrings in all materials, particularly sterling silver, which is naturally soft and prone to bending.
Posts may shift slightly over time, causing the earring to feel loose or not click into place. This does not mean your earrings are defective.
How to adjust:
Remove the earring and gently bend or lift the post (the part that goes through your ear) slightly up or down. Small adjustments can make a big difference. Adjust until the clasp clicks securely. Repeat as needed.
If you have any trouble, please bring your earrings into our store and we will be happy to fix them for you.
Jump Rings & String Items
Our jump rings are not solid-closed. This means the rings connecting charms or chains may naturally open slightly over time due to wear. This is easily fixable — simply bring your item back to us.
All string material items are inspected before sale to ensure they are in good condition. Strings can loosen if not handled gently, so please hold the knot while adjusting.
If jump rings, a chain connect or string item breaks within 7 days, we can repair or replace it. After this period, it is considered wear and tear.
Beaded Items
Beaded jewellery and products may naturally wear over time, and colours may fade with use.
Beaded items such as bags and coasters should be handled with care, as beads can loosen or fall off if mishandled.
Note: bead colours and sizes may be slightly different due to natural variations in colour and shape