One of the easiest ways to join the sustainable fashion movement is by simply taking care of what you already own. Before the boom of overconsumption, people owned fewer items, so practices such as mending and polishing were a part of daily life. Nowadays, we need to actively seek out ways to care for our belongings so that they may last and be cherished for longer.

Many of us don’t know how we’re unintentionally reducing the lifespan of our jewellery. Did you know that while a trinket dish looks very aesthetically pleasing, storing your necklaces and rings this way could scratch them? Or that there is a correct way to use a polishing cloth? Pichulik has created a care kit to teach us how to look after our precious jewellery, from brass to silver to one of their iconic rope pieces

Brass

Jeweller’s brass has a higher copper content than other brass and a rich, warm colour. It’s normal for a natural patina to develop over time, which will give it a matte finish.

Caring for brass:

Use a polishing cloth and a brass cleaner, such as those included in Pichulik’s Brass Jewellery Care Kit.

1. Apply the polishing paste to the polishing cloth.
2. Rub the polishing paste on the brass area you want to polish.
3. Be sure to use different parts of the cloth to avoid spreading any tarnish.
4. Wipe away excess polishing paste using the polishing cloth.

Sterling silver

Sterling silver is an alloyed metal, made of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals, which is why these pieces usually carry a ‘925’ stamp. Silver items will also tarnish, usually the result of a chemical reaction with oxygen or sulfur particles in the air.

Caring for sterling silver:

1. Mix half a cup of white vinegar with two tablespoons of baking soda in a bowl of lukewarm water.
2. Let the silver soak for two to three hours.
3. Remove the silver and gently rinse and dry.

Rope

Jewellery that features textiles, such as Pichulik’s signature wax cord-wrapped rope pieces, are more prone to dirt than silver or brass but are easier to clean than you might think.

Caring for rope:

1. Fill a bowl with lukewarm water and add a few drops of mild dish soap.
2. Dip a clean cloth in the water and gently wipe your piece.

General care tips

• Titanium pins are often used to connect parts, secure components or attach stones, as they’re lightweight yet strong and durable. They are also soft and malleable, and bending could lead to breakage, so handle with care.
• One of the simplest ways to care for your jewellery is to wear it often. While it’s tempting to save your most precious pieces for special occasions, your skin’s natural oils will help keep silver and brass jewellery shiny, while pieces left sitting in a jewellery box are more prone to patina.
• Take off your jewellery when doing household chores. Substances with additional sulfur, like household cleaners, chlorinated water, rubber and even sweat, will accelerate corrosion and tarnish.
• Sunlight can cause metal to patina, so remove your jewellery before heading to the beach or pool.
• When dressing, put your jewellery on last, as lotion, makeup, hair spray and perfume all accelerate tarnishing.

Jewellery storage

• Use an air-tight container to store your jewellery to limit exposure to sulfur and oxygen in the air. Any air-tight container will do, even a Ziplock bag.
• Minimise sun exposure by keeping pieces in a cool, dark place.
• Keep your pieces separate to avoid them tangling and scratching each other.
• Clean your pieces regularly to remove tarnish as it builds. It’s much harder to clean a piece that has accumulated a lot of tarnish.

Find out more about Pichulik on their website.