materials & care
Brass is an alloy of mostly copper and some zinc.
Niobium is a naturally hypoallergenic metal that contains no nickel or other metal alloys.
14k gold-fill is a thick layer of karat gold that is pressure bonded to a brass core. It is hundreds of times thicker than gold-plate and will not flake or tarnish. It is suitable for most skin sensitivities.
All of my materials are nickel-free!
**RECOMMENDED CARE**
- avoid getting jewelry wet
- do not wear jewelry to sleep, shower, workout or swim
- store jewelry in an airtight bag or container in a cool, dry place (NOT the bathroom)
- polish periodically with a sunshine cloth
Brass naturally darkens over time and will tarnish when exposed to air, especially in heat and humidity. This does not harm the metal and actually acts as a protective layer! If you enjoy the aged look of patina created by tarnish, you can simply leave it be. To keep your jewelry bright and shiny, follow the care instructions above.
There is a slight chance brass will turn your skin green due to the high copper content. This is completely harmless and temporary - some people even believe it has healing properties! Whether or not you turn green is largely due to your individual chemistry and can be avoided by following the above instructions.
To deep clean RAW BRASS ONLY, you can dissolve a 1/2 tsp salt in a 1/4 cup white vinegar in a glass or plastic dish and dip the piece for a few seconds to clean off tarnish (avoid any chains or stones). Rinse well with cool water, dry thoroughly, and follow with a sunshine cloth if desired.
If you have questions about cleaning a specific piece of jewelry, please email me at brassandpebble@gmail.com and I will happily guide you!