Care Guide

Silver, along with other metals such as copper and brass, will naturally tarnish(oxidize) over time when exposed to common elements found in the air and water that surrounds us. It will need to be cleaned regularly and cared for. Here are some tips:

• Avoid harsh chemicals like chlorine, salt water and household cleaners and put your jewelry on a few minutes AFTER applying products such as perfumes, hairspray, sunscreens, lotions, etc. once skin is fully dry. These kinds of products can be absorbed into the jewelry and can cause damage over time. That's why it is recommended to put your jewelry on last to minimize contact with these chemicals.

• Remove your jewelry before sleeping, swimming, showering, exercising, manual labor, washing dishes, cleaning around the house or using the previously listed products, etc. Moisture can get in and under the stones and, like chemicals, can cause damage over time. Especially with porous or soft or stones such as amber, opals, coral, larimar and turquoise.

• Avoid hitting and/or smacking your jewelry as most stones and shells are fragile and may crack or fracture if hit hard enough.

• Never try cleaning your jewelry with a dry cloth or rag. There are particles in the air around us that are harder than some stones in our jewelry. Doing this may scratch softer stones. Instead, using warm (not hot), (mild) soapy water, gently clean the metal and hard to reach areas with a soft toothbrush, avoiding the stone. Do NOT clean or submerge opal jewelry in any liquids. Rinse well to remove any residue.

• Be sure your jewelry is completely dry before storing, as humidity is damaging to some stones and increases tarnish for all silvers, even those marked as anti-tarnish or tarnish resistant.

• Be careful not to expose your jewelry to excess heat. This can cause cracking, breaking, fracturing and discoloration to some stones.

• I do NOT recommend using any kind of jewelry cleaning 'dip' or natural versions of cleaning dip for any of my jewelry that has stones or shells. I can not guarantee that the chemicals in the dip won't cause damage to the stones/shells and therefor I am not responsible for any damage done by using this method of cleaning.

Please do not use steam cleaners or ultrasonic cleaners to clean your Elflocked Bohemian jewelry. Many stones have natural inclusions, are porous, brittle, soft, etc. This means the stones may wear down, fracture or break in an ultrasonic or steam cleaner. Even gemstones that are considered hard on the Moh's Hardness scale, such as emeralds, must not be put in ultrasonic cleaners as they, too, can fracture.

In addition, storing your jewelry responsibly and correctly will also minimize oxidation and scratching. Don't just toss your jewelry in a pile on your dresser or your bedside drawer. Keep your pieces separate and consider storing your jewelry in air tight containers or baggies to lessen the exposure to air and contact with other hard surfaces. At the end of the day, it's your responsibility to take care of your jewelry and keep it in it's original condition. Elflocked Bohemian is not responsible for damage to pieces after being received by the purchaser.

Though silver is typically a safe bet to wear by most people, please be aware that everyone reacts differently to silver. In rare cases, some people’s skin reacts and changes color when wearing silver jewelry. It has happened to me while wearing some of my own and other's work! This is harmless and goes away. This does not mean your jewelry is fake. Elflocked Bohemian jewelry is made from .925 sterling silver unless otherwise listed. You may find some days your skin reacts and others it doesn’t. This is based on your bodies pH.

Be sure to do your own due diligence and research to understand the characteristics of the stones in your jewelry. If you decide to risk using one of these not recommended cleaning methods, I cannot guarantee my jewelry against damage if you try any of those methods.

Dread wraps offer pops of color and flair and draw attention from others around you. They’re like jewelry for the hair. That being said, they should be treated and cared for, like jewelry, to extend the life of the piece. Here are a few tips to help you keep your wrap looking it’s best and living it’s best life:

• Remove your dread wrap before showering, washing your hair or swimming, etc. They are made up mostly of cloths, fabrics, cottons, yarns, etc. and will absorb and hold a lot of water and moisture for a long time. Not to mention the added, extra weight of it. In my experience, no one with dreads wants that!

• DO NOT put your wraps in the washing machine! This will, undoubtedly, cause damage to the wrap in the form of unraveling and that could, in turn, cause damage to your washer/dryer. I am not responsible for any damages caused by neglecting to follow this advice.

• If you need to clean your wrap, spot clean it with warm water, baking soda and a soft toothbrush. Mix a small amount of water and baking soda until you have a paste consistency. Brush the paste onto the area you want to clean and leave on to dry. Once dry, rinse with water.

• If your wrap does get wet, the best and quickest way to dry is to leave out in the sun. If it happens to be raining out, hanging it inside works too.

• Put your wrap in your hair AFTER using products like hairsprays, oils, tightening sprays or any other products you use in your hair.

• Remove your wrap before going to bed. All that tossing and turning could cause unnecessary wear and tear on your wrap and shorten it’s life span.

When you receive your wrap(s), you may notice some wraps will be a little more on the stiff side. This is normal. That’s because they are new and haven’t been ‘worn in’ yet, so to speak. After a few days of wear, they should loosen up and become more flexible.