At Megan Goldner Designs we take pride in every single item we make.
Everything we make is handcrafted, so the appearance of colours and finishing can vary. We consider these small differences to reflect the uniqueness and individuality of the people in memory of whom we are creating.
With proper care and maintenance your jewellery and keepsakes can last a lifetime and we truly hope that the final product will exceed your expectations.
Tarnishing and Oxidation facts and details
The colour change, tarnishing or oxidation of your Megan Goldner Designs item is a natural process that affects all metals over time.
Tarnishing is most often due to the pH levels of the wearer’s skin which varies in all people. The second most common reason for tarnishing is exposure to soap, chlorine (also present in tap water), saltwater, cleaning chemicals, sanitizers, perfumes and lotions.
Oxidisation is the process whereby the metal alloys within 925 Sterling Silver react with the natural air around us.
Tarnishing and Oxidisation appears as discolouration on the silver, brass, bronze and copper. It can look like dark marks, patches or even as if the metal colour is coming off. This is a natural occurrence of metal and not a manufaturing fault.
The good news is that Tarnishing and Oxidisation are reversible and easily treated.
How to fix tarnishing or oxidized metal
To clean flat surfaces or jewellery that has detail you don’t want to disturb, like stampings and engravings, buff the piece with a jewellery polishing cloth, a microfibre cloth of use our MGD Magic Polishing Pads.
You’ll be surprised at how quickly a light buff will restore shine. You can also use products like Brasso to lightly buff your piece with.
For a deeper clean in those hard-to-reach areas, create a mixture of lemon juice, baking powder, and water. Apply a little bit to your item and gently scrub with a soft toothbrush. The toothbrush should help you get into those dirty nooks and crannies, making your jewellery shining once again. Use this mixture only on the metal part of your ring and avoid any resin or stones.
It’s a good idea to create of habit of inspecting and cleaning your jewellery routinely. This will ensure the longevity of your MDG product.
Resin Composite Jewellery
Every resin item is crafted by us is precious and sentimental. In most cases, these pieces contain precious inclusions that are irreplaceable. Because resin is technically classified as a plastic, it is slightly porous and therefore susceptible in absorbing chemicals.
Cleaning Resin Jewellery
When it comes to cleaning resin jewellery, using the right tools and supplies is crucial to prevent damage and maintain the appearance of your pieces. Knowing what to use will not only make the cleaning process more effective but also ensure that you are taking the best possible care of your resin jewellery.
Some essential tools and supplies for cleaning resin jewellery include:
- A soft, lint-free cloth: This will be used for gently wiping away dirt and fingerprints without scratching the surface of the resin.
- A soft-bristle toothbrush: Ideal for reaching small crevices and removing any built-up debris.
- Mild dish soap: A gentle cleaning agent that won’t harm the resin or its finish.
- Lukewarm water: Helps to dissolve dirt, grime, and oils, making it easier to clean your jewellery. Make sure the water is not hot.
- A small bowl or container: Useful for mixing the cleaning solution and holding your jewellery during cleaning.
- A drying rack or towel: Provides a safe place for your jewellery to dry after cleaning.
With these essential tools and supplies at hand, you’ll be well-equipped to effectively clean and maintain your resin jewellery, ensuring it remains in excellent condition for years to come.
Cleaning your resin jewellery properly is essential to maintain its appearance and longevity. By following a step-by-step process, you can ensure that your pieces are cleaned effectively without causing any damage. In this section, we will outline the recommended steps for cleaning resin jewellery.
- Prepare your workspace: Set up a clean, well-lit area with all your essential tools and supplies within easy reach.
- Mix the cleaning solution: Combine a few drops of mild dish soap with warm water in a small bowl or container. Be sure not to use hot water, as it may cause the resin to become soft, discoloured or get a melted appearance on the surface. Please make sure that you do not submerge or soak your resin jewellery as this is cause damage to your item.
- Dampen the cloth: Dip your soft, lint-free cloth into the cleaning solution and wring out any excess water.
- Gently wipe the jewellery: Using the damp cloth, gently wipe the surface of the resin jewellery to remove dirt, fingerprints, and other debris. Be sure to clean all sides and crevices, taking care not to scratch the resin.
- Use the soft-bristle toothbrush for stubborn spots: If there are any areas with built-up dirt or grime, use the soft-bristle toothbrush to gently scrub the affected areas with the cleaning solution.
- Rinse with clean water: Once your jewellery is clean, rinse it thoroughly under a gentle stream of lukewarm water to remove any remaining soap residue. Please make sure that you do not submerge or soak your resin jewellery as this is cause damage to your item.
- Dry the jewellery: Gently pat your resin jewellery dry with a clean, lint-free cloth or place it on a drying rack or towel to air dry. Make sure the jewellery is completely dry before storing or wearing it.
- Polish if necessary: If your resin jewellery appears dull or lacks shine after cleaning, you can use a soft polishing cloth to gently buff the surface and restore its original lustre.
By following these steps, you can effectively clean your resin jewellery and keep it looking beautiful for years to come.
Resin Composite Jewellery - What to avoid
Most hand sanitizers and perfumes contains alcohol. Alcohol is effective in killing germs, but this also unfortunately means that it is quite harsh on our skin as well as on the jewellery we wear. With the mixture of alcohol and chemicals in the sanitizing cocktails we use on a daily basis, we strongly advise you to keep your resin jewellery far away from hand sanitizer.
As with hand sanitizer, perfume contain alcohol. The chemicals present in perfumes, lotions, shampoos, and soaps can cause resin to become sticky, dull or discoloured. Exercise an extra amount of caution around the aggressive chemicals: cleaning agents, alcohol-based products such as acetone (nail polish remover) or perfume.
While our pieces are made with a high-grade jewellery resin with UV resistant properties, avoid store and excessive exposure to sunlight. UV Rays has the potential to yellow resin when exposed long-term to the sun’s light or heat. This is not to say you cannot wear your resin jewellery outside, just do not let it sit for prolonged periods of time in direct light.
Also avoid exposing your jewellery to any UV lamps. It is best to remove your jewellery if you are having nail gel treatment etc.
Resin is a type of plastic, which means its melting point is lower than the melting point of metal.
High heat and steam are the best way to quickly damage resin. High heat from a dryer, jacuzzi, or direct lighting can cause the setting to expand and subsequently detach from the metal. Steam from showers, food steamer, facial steamers, kettle or steam rooms and hair straighteners etc. will soften and damage the resin surface.
Unfortunately, if resin becomes detached from a setting, there is no way for us to reattach it. In this case, the piece would need to be sent back to us with more Keepsake inserts so that the resin part can be redone.
Sharp and abrasive items can scratch the resin. This includes but is not limited to any metal that comes into contact with the setting, including keys or other rings.
When resin composite stones are fully cured, they are 4.5 – 5.5 on the Mohs hardness scale. This is comparable to Pearls, Opals, Fluorite, Lapis Lazuli and Turquoise in integrity.
If your piece is in regular contact with smoke it heightens the risk of yellowing the resin. However, some of our smoking resin jewellery clients have worn their pieces for years without discolouration.
Damaged resin
Damaged resin items will usually have to be re-polished, re-surfaced or in extreme cases, completely re-done. This will unfortunately come with a financial implication and return shipping costs will be quoted upon.
Wearing Jewellery
Jewellery is worn by millions of people every day, but few recognize how they can preserve their treasures by using some simple advanced planning and thought. Here are some basic guidelines to consider when wearing jewellery:
When performing manual tasks, remove your MGD jewellery to prevent physical damage or exposure to chemicals or cleaning fluids. Some tasks that should be avoided when wearing jewellery include kitchen work, gardening, cleaning the house and other common tasks.
Cosmetics, hairspray, perfumes and lotion can contain chemicals that can often damage jewellery. Putting jewellery on after applying these materials will limit exposure to jewellery and any potential damage.
Chlorinated water can react with the metals found in jewellery causing colour changes and even structural damage. As a result, it’s a good idea to remove jewellery before entering the pool or spa. Extreme heat at the beach can damage resin stones. It’s best to leave your resin items safely at home to avoid the risk.
Hard blows during sports can damage jewellery not to mention the people involved. All jewellery should be removed before play begins.
Remove all jewellery before showering or cleaning. Soap can cause a film to form, making it appear dull and dingy. By preventing the formation of this film, you immediately reduce the occasions of servicing.
It is strongly advised not to sleep with your jewellery on. Sleeping with your jewellery on can cause damage to the pieces or injury to your person.
Polish your jewellery with a jewellery polishing cloth for best results. Use of tissue or paper towels can cause scratches because of fibres in these products.
Cleaning your own jewellery regularly can keep it looking good but be careful. You can either purchase commercial cleaners from a jeweller or make a cleaning a solution yourself. Rubbing alcohol can work wonders, but bleach can literally destroy jewellery so avoid it at all costs.
Never clean any jewellery that is damaged, cracked or broken, since the additional handling is likely to exacerbate or worsen the problem. If you find that a piece of jewellery is damaged, it should be set aside for repair as soon as possible.
Just like anything else, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. When having your jewellery professionally cleaned, it’s a good idea to have each item checked and inspected for any possible problems. Addressing signs of damage, or loose gemstones will prevent any further damage or loss and keep all of your pieces in excellent shape for years.
