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    JSquared Designs are made with only the best quality materials but that doesn't mean you shouldn't care for them...caring is good!

    What Are JSquared Pendants Made Of?

    We make most our pendants with 925 or sterling silver. Sterling silver is 92.5% silver and 7.5% other metals. It’s the other metals, primarily copper, that can cause sterling silver to tarnish. Over time all sterling silver will tarnish if only slightly. 

    To help prevent tarnishing, our pendants are then plated with rhodium or white gold. Rhodium is a precious metal, a member of the platinum family. Rhodium electroplating is used, especially on jewelry, to provide a surface that will resist scratches and tarnish, and give a bright, reflective appearance. 

    We have a few "Vermeil" pendants and chains. Vermeil is a type of gold plating. Since solid gold is very expensive we decided to gold plate our sterling silver. Normally gold plating is over a cheaper alloy like brass but we "broke the mold" and decided our customers want more! So we gave it to you. Your gold plating is thicker than normal so it's called Vermeil (pronounced Ver-MAY).

    Why Does Sterling Silver tarnish?

    The copper in 925 and sterling reacts to moisture and sulfur in the air, causing the tarnishing reaction. Silver tarnishes faster in areas with high humidity and air pollution. Chemicals like hairspray, perfume, deodorant, body lotion, bleach, etc., can speed up the tarnishing process. 

    How Can I Slow the Tarnishing?

    • Clean your jewelry with a dry soft cloth, before putting it back into an airtight container.

    • Store your sterling silver jewelry in a cool, dark place away from sources of sunlight, heat and moisture. 

    • Don’t leave silver jewelry in the bathroom unprotected, and do not wear it in the shower, swimming pool or hot tub. Humidity and moisture can make tarnish appear faster!

    • If the polishing cloth doesn’t remove all the tarnish, wash silver jewelry (without gemstones or pearls) in warm water with a few drops of mild dish washing liquid. Immerse the sterling silver in the water and gently hand wash. 

    • Thoroughly rinse your pieces after washing, and completely dry the sterling silver before storing, as moisture is one of the factors that contribute to tarnishing.

    • Never use toothpaste or baking soda for cleaning as it may scratch the surface of the silver. Also, don't use chemicals such as bleach, acetone, etc, to clean your silver because they can make silver more dull, and ruin the surface. 

    Will My Gold Plating Fade or Come Off Over Time?

    Likely, yes you will. But it will last longer if you take care of it!

    • Avoid swimming with it in salt water, jacuzzis or pools.
    • Spray perfume BEFORE you put on your jewelry. 
    • Wait until your lotion or cream is dry or has been absorbed by your skin before you wear your gold plated jewelry.
    • Don't work out with it, your sweat over time can cause it to rub off.
    • Every after wear, clean with a soft cloth. 
    • If your jewelry needs more cleaning you may clean it with warm, soapy water. Soak it for a few minutes and you may clean it with a soft brush. 
    • To avoid scratches, wrap your jewelry in a soft cloth after cleaning or keep it in a jewelry box separate from other types of jewelry you have.