Take Care

Secondsister jewelry is made to last a lifetime. I strive to make jewelry that becomes a signature piece. I want my jewelry to be passed down to heirs to be worn for a second lifetime.

There are several things that will help extend the life of your jewelry that you should know. First, let’s talk about turquoise.

Turquoise is a relatively soft stone. On the Mohs Hardness scale it ranges between 1-6. This means it is fairly porous. You should protect your stones from lotions, solvents, chemicals and vigorous activity. One of the most beautiful aspects of turquoise is that it ages with the person that wears it. Turquoise will absorb oils from skin and other substances it is exposed to. Essentially, your stone becomes more your own the more you wear it. If you need to clean a piece with a stone, the best thing to do is to use a mild soap, like Dawn, and a soft bristle tooth brush. It should never be cleaned with steam or ultrasonic cleaners. Stones that have become dull from wear and tear can often be repolished by a professional.

Store your silver jewelry in a cool dry place. Moisture will make your jewelry tarnish much faster. Bathrooms are a notoriously bad place to keep your jewelry because of the moisture. Sealing your piece in a plastic bag with an anti-tarnish strip will help keep it bright. If you need to remove existing tarnish, use a polishing cloth to bring your jewelry back to its original shine. I recommend this cloth. You will also receive a small polishing cloth with your purchase from Secondsister.

If you own a cuff, it is very important that you know how to put it on and take if off correctly. You should never bend the cuff to get it on. Repeated bending weakens the silver and it will eventually break. If the cuff has stones, the settings will loosen or the stone will crack under the pressure created by bending. If you are unsure of how how to put on and take off your cuff, this video by one of my favorite Diné (Navajo) artists is very informative.

If you suspect that a cuff you own has been repeatedly bent, take it to your local jeweler. They can anneal the silver and hopefully save it from actually cracking.

I was taught in the Diné tradition of stone setting. I use sawdust under stones to add cushion and help prevent breaking. Over many years, the sawdust might deteriorate and require replacement. Any jeweler should be able to reset loose stones at minimal cost.

Take care of your jewelry folks! Wear it every chance you get. Send me pics of your pieces out in the wild. It makes my day.