Tips on how to care for your wire jewelry

Couldn't resist it, I had to get these fabulous colored wires because of their gorgeous colors from nottoto.

I also asked her (Anne's her name, Toto's the name of her pooch) how would anyone care for their wire jewelry, and she was kind enough to share the following information:

The colored wires are enameled copper wire and indeed tarnish-resistant, and shouldn't change colors at all. they are made from a core of copper, coated with a colored enamel coating, and then coated again with a clear enamel for protection. so they should always stay the color/s they are now.

For silver filled wire, and the solid copper wire, they are not coated, and since silver and copper are both reactive metals, eventually they will patina. ways to keep this to a minimum is to keep them clean and dry when not worn, and wearing them will actually minimize a patina because of the gentle friction. the best and safest way to remove a patina is with the sunshine polishing cloths, but they don't really get into little nooks and crannies. for copper, a mix of lemon juice or vinegar plus a little salt works well, and then buff clean to shine again, and for silver, if i need to use a liquid, i use Weiman's liquid silver tarnish remover. i don't know if vinegar/salt works for silver, but it is worth a try, just to minimize needing a chemical. to avoid using a chemical though, use some of the advice below and mainly keep clean, dry and in baggies, because many of the impurities that cause tarnishing are in the air, soaps, cleaners, water, etc...

It is recommended that you clean it with the same care of opals and pearls. My 'philosophy' is to take care of all jewelry as though it's precious jewelry, regardless of the materials they're made from.

here's what i recommend

• no chemicals
• no bleach or chlorine, no swimming pools, these quickly destroy any jewelry
• gentle cleaning only with a non abrasive gentle liquid cleaner
• rinse well, dry well
• keep cleaned pieces dry and in individual baggies
• don't toss in a jewelry box so things don't scratch each other
• no perfumes, lotions, oils, instead, wash clean of these things
• no household cleaners
• no abrasives, except my sunshine polishing cloths,
• no toothpaste as abrasive

wear with gentle care - if you wouldn't do it wearing the most expensive diamond, don't do it with any jewelry on - like washing dishes, scrubbing, etc...

So do visit nottoto to see what other supplies she has plus she has great after-sales service. I'm a fan and loyal customer!