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Voe Valees is taking a short break from made to order - Books closed until further notice
SOLID PRECIOUS METAL
I don't create
plated pieces of jewellery, at this stage I work with solid gold and silver.
This is because plating inevitably wears down over time, and I want your
jewellery to become treasured heirlooms. Most white gold you see in retail
stores has been plated with rhodium to give it that white appearance. White
gold is actually darker than silver. In general, I won't use rhodium plating
unless you request this and understand that with regular wear, an item like a
ring would need to be re-plated as much as annually to keep it looking fresh.
EMERALDS, OPALS AND PEARLS
Some pieces will be more delicate than others, for example emeralds, opals and pearls. These should be treated gently. Try to take them off when showering, swimming, or using chemicals or perfumes. It's best to put them on after applying moisturizers, makeup etc. To clean them, please use a lightly damp fine cloth, such as the one included with your order. Never place these items in an ultrasonic cleaner as they will likely be irreparably damaged.
STERLING SILVER
On solid silver pieces, an impregnated cotton silver polishing cloth can be used to remove tarnish and bring back shine. Gold and gemstone polishing cloths are also available. The easiest way to clean your pieces (except for oxidised pieces) is with a little dishwashing detergent, warm water and an extra soft toothbrush.
OXIDISED METAL
Some of my designs may have blackened sections, usually in a recess to highlight text or images. This is achieved through oxidisation. It is a surface treatment and will naturally wear away over time. If your jewellery is oxidised (blackened), only clean with the cloth provided, or if using an impregnated polishing cloth, avoid the blackened areas. Ultrasonic cleaners, and cleaning with a toothbrush can remove the oxidised surface.