Material care

Brass

Cartridge brass darkens with skin, air, and time. Most people like the patina. If you want the bright finish back, it takes a minute.

Wear it. Sweat and lotion speed the darkening. That is normal. Store dry when you are not wearing it. A soft cloth and a brass polish or a dab of lemon juice with baking soda brings the shine back. Rinse, dry completely. Do not soak pieces with gold-filled ear wires in acid.

Atelier pieces leave the bench with a thin microcrystalline wax. Refresh occasionally with a jewelry wax or Renaissance Wax. Thin coat, buff with a clean cloth. Wax slows tarnish. It does not stop it.

Copper

Copper is a living finish. It darkens and greens with wear, telling time on your skin. That is the point. To bring the shine back, use a soft cloth with a copper polish, or lemon juice and salt, then rinse and dry completely. Store dry. Atelier copper is waxed the same way as brass.

Stainless steel

Essentially zero care. Wear it hard. Rinse if you want. It will look like it did when it left the cutter.

Titanium

Essentially zero care. Light enough to forget, tough enough to ignore. Wipe dry if anything sticks. That is all.

What not to do

No ultrasonic cleaners on assembled earrings. No bleach. No long soaks in salt water.

Care card copy · Arkive