We hope this helps bring some clarity to the ol’ jewelry lingo. If you still have questions, please email us with anything specific.
STAINLESS STEEL:
Stainless Steel is a heavy duty metal material that is resistant to tarnishing and rust. This material will make sure your jewelry will last long and will NOT turn your skin green. Stainless Steel lasts much longer than most metals and is the better option for those who are sensitive and allergic to base metals (brass, nickle, pewter, etc…
PRECIOUS METALS
Precious Metals is our collection Classic Sterling Silver and Vermeil (14k Gold) designs. Our Precious Metals collection is more expensive than our Shadow Series Collection due the the sterling silver material. Most of the pieces in our Precious Metals collection are exclusive and are not available in our Shadow Series Collection. Pieces from our Precious Metals collection will indicate a “.925” stamp on the jewelry to authenticate that it is made of 92.5% sterling silver.
STERLING SILVER .925
Sterling Silver is a precious metal material that is made of 92.5% silver with the remaining part consisting of copper.
VERMEIL
(Vehr-MAY) Gold Vermeil is sterling silver that has been gold-plated with a substantial amount of real gold which is chemically bonded to the sterling silver. The finish looks so much like solid gold that, except for the price, it is difficult to tell the difference.
CZ (Cubic Zirconia)
CZ is also known as Cubic Zirconia. Cubic Zirconia are man made gems which appear very much like diamond yet do not have the same intrinsic properties such as hardness.
AMETHYST
Amethyst is a precious gem stone that consists of a violet or purple variety of quartz. Not one Amethyst stone is a like and may come in different shades of purple.
QUARTZ
These are naturally occurring crystals composed of silica or silicon dioxide occurring in hexagonal habit. The most common variety is colorless and transparent. This is often referred to as "Clear Quartz."
ANTIQUING
A process of darkening the recessed areas of gold or silver jewelry to enhance the visibility of the engraving, thus lending the look of age or natural patination.
Product Care Instructions
To minimize scratches and other damage, store your jewelry either in the Han Cholo pouch provided with every order or in a separate compartment in your jewelry box.
Different metals used can be affected in various ways:
- Salt found in sweat interacts with the metal found in jewelry, which can cause a reaction to the jewelry.
- Avoid exposing to household chemicals when cleaning with bleach or ammonia, or when swimming in chlorinated water, as these chemicals can cause damage over time.
- When washing your hand, it is best to remove jewelry. Some chemicals found in soap can also affect jewelry over time.
CARING FOR PRECIOUS METALS JEWELRY
WHAT CAUSES TARNISHING
Tarnishing, also known as oxidation, is caused when oxygen or sulfer comes in contact with sterling silver. It gives it a darker color. Sterling Silver comes in different levels of purity (i.e. 0.95 or 0.925) and higher purity silver will tarnish more quickly. Sometimes, sterling silver is intentionally oxidized to create depth and certain details on a piece of jewelry.
STORING PRECIOUS METALS
Oxygen in the air will tarnish Sterling Silver, so properly storing your jewelry will help minimize that oxidation. Here are some storage tips:
- Store individual pieces separately.
- Store each piece in a dark place or the Han Cholo pouch provided to you.
- Place in an area with low humidity.
- Keep clasps/closures unhooked.
CARING FOR PRECIOUS METALS
Polishing Precious Metals is typically the best way to clean your jewelry. Be sure to do the following:
- Use the special non-abrasive cloth provided to you so you avoid scratching.
- Frequently rotate to a new section of the cloth.
- Avoid areas that are intentionally oxidized.
- Do not rub in a circular pattern,… follow the grain of the silver.
- Avoid rubbing too hard on engraved sections.
If you have severe tarnishing or antique pieces that need extra care, please contact shop@hancholo.com to discuss options. Beware of commercial cleaning solutions as many present a health hazard or may damage your jewelry.
CARING FOR STAINLESS STEEL JEWELRY
Stainless steel jewelry won't rust but it can tarnish over long periods of time. Steel jewelry does not tarnish as fast as silver jewelry but the rate of tarnishing depends on how it’s used. As with any jewelry it is best to avoid contact with chemicals (lotions, chlorine from pools etc.) in order to keep it cleaner longer.
Steel jewelry is easy to clean just use the polishing cloth provided to wipe it down. Steel jewelry is very durable and can withstand a lot of wear and tear.