Your Faith Flow Designs jewelry should be loved on and cared for to ensure your enjoyment for a very long time. It is my goal to offer high-quality, durable, skin-friendly fashion jewelry. The longevity of your piece will definitely depend on how you care for it and how often it is worn and cleaned. Please follow these guidelines as much as possible in order to keep your pieces looking fresh. I try to list every component in the product descriptions. However, please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.

 

GENERAL CARE

 

• Keep jewelry away from direct contact with water, excessive sweat, heat, lotion, perfume, makeup, hairspray, antibacterial gels, or any other harsh chemicals.

• Never expose your jewelry to chlorine, salt water, and heat. Wearing your pieces in a swimming pool, hot tub, or body of water (lake, ocean, etc.) can cause permanent damage.

• Remove jewelry during physical activities to avoid scratches and moisture from sweat.

• Remove jewelry when using household cleaning products.

• Do not use jewelry cleaners containing acid, alcohol, vinegar, or ammonia. This will strip the metal finishes and can also cause any glue that may be present to loosen. It can also cause the gemstones, glass, or crystals to lose their luster and shine.

• Put your jewelry on last and take it off first. This will prevent snagging, tangling, or scratching from clothing fibers.

• When not wearing your jewelry, wipe it clean with a soft cloth to remove dirt, perspiration, and oils.

• Store pieces separately when possible in a soft pouch or tightly sealed plastic bag, preferably, with an anti-tarnish strip. This will prevent air, moisture, heat, and dust from accelerating the oxidization of the metals. (This does NOT apply to leather - see Leather section below.)

  • A note about oxidation. Tarnish may occur as a result of oxidization. This is a chemical reaction caused by the interaction of silver or gold or plated  metal jewelry components with certain elements such as oxygen or sulphur as well as with certain acids. Some people may experience a green mark from this. This is not considered a defect in the product. Different oils, skin types, and environments can cause this from time to time. Even the best quality electroplating may eventually experience tarnish over time. It is outside our control,  and therefore, items cannot be returned for this reason.

 

CLEANING YOUR JEWELRY

 

Most of your jewelry pieces can be cleaned with a soft cloth dipped in mild detergent with water. If necessary, use a SOFT bristled toothbrush to remove dirt and oil in the crevices. With the exception of stainless steel, do NOT use toothpaste as this is too abrasive and can cause scratching; use baking soda instead. Rinse and wipe with a soft cloth dipped in plain water. Lay the piece flat to completely air dry.

 

 

.925 Sterling Silver Components

 

IMPORTANT NOTE: If cleaning a .925 sterling silver component attached to leather, do not submerge or dip in water. Simply use a damp cloth dipped in mild soap and water to clean the silver portion. Rinse with a damp cloth, wipe away excess water, and allow to air dry.

 

If your piece contains .925 sterling silver components, follow the general care and cleaning guide above. However, it is important to remember that sterling silver is naturally prone to tarnish. If this happens, follow these instructions.

• Spread out your jewelry on a foil-lined tray or dish.

• Sprinkle baking soda onto each piece.

• Boil a small amount of water.

• Slowly pour the water over the jewelry.

• The foil will pick up any tarnish off your sterling silver components.

• Rinse with warm water and dry well. Shine will be restored.

• Store in a soft bag or a plastic bag, preferably, with anti-tarnish strips.

This method is safe for the other components of your jewelry piece (with the exception of leather as noted above).

 

Brass Components

 

IMPORTANT NOTE: If cleaning a brass component attached to leather, do not submerge or dip in water. Simply use a damp cloth dipped in one of the cleaning solutions in this section to clean the stainless steel portion. Rinse with a damp cloth, wipe away excess water, and allow to air dry.

 

For brass-plated and lacquered brass components, general cleaning guidelines with mild soap and water will do the trick. Be sure to dry with a cloth and allow to air dry before storing.

 

If your piece contains solid brass components, please note that brass and water are not friends. It will cause water spots if brass is exposed to water for prolonged periods. Follow these tips for cleaning your jewelry that contains solid brass components.

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Lemon juice will make your brass shine. Cut a lemon in half, sprinkle some salt on it and rub it over the brass component. Rinse and dry immediately, removing all water.

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A vinegar and salt bath will  also work to bring back the shine. Use a glass container and mix together 1/2 cup of white vinegar and 2 teaspoons of salt. Warm in the microwave for a minute or two (it shouldn’t be hot to the touch).  Since this component will likely be mixed with other materials, simply rub ONLY the brass components with a cloth or soft-bristled toothbrush to remove dirt and grime. Rinse and repeat as necessary until it is as shiny as you want it to be. Dry it immediately, removing all water, and allow to air dry before storing.

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A very thin coating of jojoba oil  or castor oil will give your brass components a great shine.

 

Stainless Steel Components

 

Some of my designs incorporate stainless steel components. Stainless steel is super strong so it will retain its shape and resist scratches. Stainless steel is also resistant to rust, oxidation, and discoloration. It is one of the best options for sensitive skin and is considered hypoallergenic for most people.

 

To ensure the longevity of stainless steel components, store the jewelry pieces in a fabric-lined jewelry box or wrap in a soft cloth to prevent dust and moisture from settling on the components.

 

Cleaning Stainless Steel Components

 

Since most of my pieces only use stainless steel components rather than the entire piece being stainless steel, I’d recommend using the soap and water method so as not to cause damage to other parts of your jewelry piece.

 

IMPORTANT NOTE: If cleaning a stainless steel component attached to leather, do not submerge or dip in water. Simply use a mixture of mild dish soap and water and rub with a soft cloth dipped in the soap and water mixture, followed by toothbrush if needed. Dip into clean water to rinse, wipe away excess water and allow to air dry. 

 

Alternatively, use a 2:1 ratio of baking soda to water to get a paste consistency or simply use toothpaste — not gel. Dip a soft-bristled toothbrush into the mixture and gently scrub ONLY the stainless steel component  with the mixture. Rinse with warm water and use a soft cloth to remove any excess water. Let the piece air dry for a few minutes before storing it.

 

For both of these methods, you may follow-up your cleaning by polishing the stainless steel with a jewelry polishing cloth if desired.

 

LEATHER

 

(Applies to Genuine Leather, Vegan Leather, and Cork)

 

Please do not store your leather jewelry pieces (or any other leather you own for that matter) in a plastic bag. Leather (just like our own skin) needs to breathe. Open air or a loosely draped soft cloth or flannel bag is best. Always store in a cool dry place away from direct sunlight.

 

Make sure your hands are clean when handling your leather jewelry. 

 

Do not submerge leather in water and avoid exposure to excessive moisture (i.e. rain, sweat, washing dishes, etc.). If your leather gets wet, gently blot out the excess as soon as possible and allow the rest of the moisture to air dry. Do not use a heat source to speed up the drying.

 

Avoid contact with aerosols, harsh chemicals, perfumes, and makeup.

 

Cleaning Leather

 

Use a soft cloth or microfiber cloth to dust the surface. You may consider getting a nubbuck cleaning cloth. I’d recommend simply wiping your leather piece after each use.

 

You want to be careful to preserve the natural lubricating oils in leather instead of removing these oils.

 

Generally, there’s no need to clean your leather with anything stronger than distilled water on a marginally damp cloth. However, you’ll want to do a thorough cleaning before conditioning your leather (see conditioning section below). Or if you get a stubborn stain, tend to it immediately. Here’s how: 

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• Take a damp cloth (not sopping wet), apply a small amount of mild, moisturizing soap and gently rub the leather (both sides of flat leather) using small circular motions across the leather cord.

• Rinse the cloth under running water until all of the soap is gone. Squeeze out excess water.

• Lightly wipe the leather to remove all soap residue.

• Let the jewelry air dry away from heat.

 

To remove normal spots, make a paste of one part lemon juice and one part cream of tartar. Work the paste into the spot with a soft cloth. If spots remain, let it sit for a few hours and reapply. Wipe with a clean cloth and allow to air dry.

 

Water spots can be removed by moistening the area with a little water then letting them air dry. Do not place your leather in the sun to dry. Do not use a hair dryer or other heat source to dry your leather as it may cause warping.

 

Ink can be removed from leather by dipping a cotton swab into rubbing alcohol and rubbing the spot. This works for normal spots as well. Leave it overnight and then wipe if off with a damp cloth, leaving it to air dry.

 

Removing Mildew

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Because leather is a natural material, if not properly stored (in a cool, dry place), it can be prone to mildew and bacteria. Should mildew occur, mix equal parts of isopropyl alcohol and water. Wipe the mildew area with a cloth dipped in this solution and alow it to dry. If the mildew persists, use a product that contains germicide, then remove the product with a clean, dampened cloth and allow to air dry.

 

Conditioning Leather

 

To keep your leather supple, it must be periodically conditioned. Leather is porous and it loses moisture through evaporation. Generally speaking, condition your leather jewelry no less than once every other month. If worn frequently, once a week is recommended. The more humid the climate, the less frequently you’ll need to clean and condition and vice versa.

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Use natural oils such as sweet almond oil, jojoba oil, flaxseed oil, linseed oil, or my favorite, shea butter. Not only do these oils have conditioning properties, they are resistant to going rancid. (These are just some from a long list. Do your research.) Do not use products that contain petroleum, such as mineral oil, as these will block the pores of your leather “skin”.

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Again, if your leather gets wet, gently blot it and allow it to air dry for a few hours. Follow up with a leather conditioner of your choice while the pores are still open and allow it to air dry away from heat.

There are several commercial brands of leather conditioner, but in case you’d like to try a home recipe that I use, you can find it here.

 

Although I’ve never had a problem, you can do a spot test on a small and inconspicuous part to make sure it is safe for your piece. Allow it to dry for at least an hour before continuing with the conditioning steps.

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Before applying the leather conditioner, give your piece a thorough soap and water cleaning as described above.

• Put a small amount of leather conditioner onto a clean, lint-free cloth. Do not apply the conditioner directly to the leather.

• Use small circular motions to apply the conditioner to the leather.

• Use a soft, dry cloth to gently buff the leather surface.

• Allow the leather to air dry before wearing the bracelet.

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