Keep Your Gorgeous Jewelry Looking Gorgeous
The Short Dog Jewelry collection consists of a combination of metals that may include sterling silver, gold, gold-filled, gold vermeil, copper, alloy, and iron either singularly or a combination of those mentioned. All are nickel and lead-free.
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Our pendants and medals are hand soldered and antiqued. The chains are meticulously beaded by myself and consist of either high quality semi-precious and precious gemstones, bone, and fair trade glass and metal beads. Such as Diamonds, Sapphires, Labradorite, Moonstones, Rubies, Emeralds, Pearls, Turquoise, and many other Natural Gemstones and Earth Elements to include Animal Bones and Horns at times. All Gemstones, Natural or Animal Products are Ethically Sourced to provide that no harm has been caused to any Animals or Humans.
Short Dog Jewelry Care Guide
The Real Deal
All jewelry is finely crafted in precious metals only. That means sustainably sourced 925 sterling silver, 14k-18k gold, and semi-precious stones. All crafted with care for luxury quality and materials ideal and safe for sensitive skin.
Gold Vermeil
Pronounced ‘ver-may’ and not to be confused with regular gold plating, vermeil is thickest level of gold bonding over silver. It's 2-3x thicker than standard plating. And because the base metal is sterling silver (as opposed to brass) it's great for sensitive skin and is not prone to tarnish.
It's that thickness that gives it a lasting golden shine and long enduring quality with basic care.
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Sterling Silver
All silver styles are crafted in sustainably sourced 925 sterling silver. All styles are pure silver and may have additional coatings or platings to add additional protection and interest. All jewelry (rather gold vermeil or silver) is stamped with a 925 indicating their silver purity level as the base metal.
Jewelry Care
Always store your jewelry individually, preferably in your SDJ soft lined box or another jewelry box that closes. This will help to keep your piece from being scratched or tangled; as well as help maintain luster by keeping out excess air exposure and moisture.
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It's the inherent nature of all metals to naturally oxidize when exposed to moisture, air pollutants etc. So keeping things stored properly when not worn will make life easy and require less cleaning. Sterling silver will oxidize faster, (that's how you know it's legit) But it is also super easy to shine back up and remove.
What to Avoid
All jewelry is susceptible to damage from the effects of chemicals commonly found in perfume, hair products, cosmetics, cleaning products, and body lotions/oils.
***Number one tip - please avoid using hand sanitizer while wearing your rings! The alcohol in it especially can be really damaging to all precious metals, so take the little extra time to slip them off before applying and allow your hands to dry before putting them back on.***
Chlorine and salt water fall under the harmful over time category so please do remove your jewels before a swim. Soapy water when bathing or washing your hands can leave film behind that dulls everything so in order to keep things their absolute shiniest, the best practice is to remove them before washing up.
In general, if you treat your jewelry with care it'll live its best life with you for years to come. And if you ever have questions, I'm just an email or dm away!
Avoid wearing elastic bracelets in showers, pools, etc or anywhere they would be submerged in water, chlorine, etc as this could shorten the lifespan of the elastic and cause the bracelet to need restringing.
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How to Clean
Clean your jewelry with a soft, non-abrasive, and lint-free cloth. (Eye-glass cloths are a handy option.) This helps maintain and or bring back its shine. If necessary, you can use a mild, liquid dish soap (diluted to avoid leaving film) with luke-warm water and a soft cloth, then rinse with clean water and pat dry.
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Silver chains not set with diamonds can be gently cleaned with a soft bristle brush, like a soft bristle toothbrush, and a gentle non-detergent soap. Our favorite option is Kiehl’s brand Coriander Liquid Hand Soap. After softly scrubbing, chains should be rinsed and thoroughly dried.
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***Avoid using “dip” polish or abrasive jewelry cleaners as these can contain harsh chemicals that are damaging to jewelry over time. Jewelry polishing cloths which have been treated with cleaners or polishing agents should only ever be used on solid sterling silver items. Do not use these on gold vermeil, or rhodium plated silver.***
Customers should not attempt to bend or form bangles and cuffs. Any repairs or sizing should be brought to the location of purchase for quotes and work.
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It is not recommended to clean Short Dog Jewelry in at-home ultrasonic jewelry cleaning machines. Ultrasonic Jewelry cleaners use a "vibration" method which can loosen OR dislodge gemstones.
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And as always, send a note to info@shortdogjewelry.com if I can help answer anything at all.