Read the Old Town Jewels FAQs

The safest way to clean sterling silver jewelry is to use a soft cloth or glove that has been specifically treated to remove tarnish and grime. We use, sell, and recommend the Rich Glo Silver Jewelry Polishing Glove in our store. We advise that you never dip your jewelry into any kind of cleaner, or allow wet or spray silver cleaners to come in direct contact with your jewelry. It is possible to use ammonia glass cleaner (such as Windex) to brighten up your silver if it is lightly tarnished, but spritz it on and then wipe it off quickly – don’t dip or soak your jewelry in the liquid, and try to avoid spraying the stones.

If you’ve got a piece that is badly tarnished or shows signs of improper or corrosive cleaning techniques used in the past, our Native American silversmiths can clean your tarnished or scratched Indian jewelry to look like new. If you prefer, they can gently clean with an eye toward preserving the beautiful patina of age while removing corrosive agents that may cause damage to your jewelry. If you email a picture to us, we can estimate the cost of restoring the finish to your jewelry.

For more information, you can contact us at info@oldtownjewels.com or (602) 350-4009.

Tarnish is a thin layer of corrosion that forms over metals such as sterling silver as the outermost layer undergoes a chemical reaction. Silver needs hydrogen sulfide to tarnish; hydrogen sulfide is found in the air and even in your skin. Tarnish appears as a dull gray or black film over the surface of your jewelry. Fortunately, tarnish is self-limiting, unlike rust. Only the top few layers of the metal react, and the layer of tarnish seals and protects the underlying layers from reacting. If you wear your jewelry often, the tarnish layer won’t have a chance to form. Frequent wiping with a cloth or contact with your clothing or skin is all it takes to keep your jewelry bright and lustrous.

If you won’t be wearing your jewelry for a period of time, consider storing it in an air tight container, such as a self-sealing plastic bag. Reducing silver’s exposure to air when not being worn will greatly help in preventing tarnish from forming.

For more information, you can contact us at info@oldtownjewels.com or (602) 350-4009.

We’re specialists in jewelry repair, and we’ve seen just about every kind of damage that can occur. We’ve even repaired pieces that have been chewed on by horses and run over by cars! Sterling silver lasts a very long time with minimal care, but if you have any kind of stone or shell in your favorite piece, you’ll want to follow a few basic rules to protect your jewelry from damage.

A little water won’t hurt jewelry, but do not submerge any piece with stones into liquid for a prolonged period of time. No swimming, no bathing, and especially no hot-tubbing – hot chlorine is especially destructive to Native American jewelry! The stones and the settings are susceptible to damage by liquids.

Cuff bracelets are frequently damaged by bending the shape to fit. Inlaid stones will break out of their settings if you bend your bracelet only one time. Sterling silver will break if you continually bend and unbend your bracelet to get it on and off. If your bracelet does not fit you well enough to roll on and off easily, you need an expert. We can make your bracelet fit you properly and show you how to get it on and off without bending.

Rings with inlaid stone settings, especially when set around the band, are really not suited for everyday wear. It is very hard to prevent stone damage or loss. If you do want to wear an inlaid band every day (and I know it’s a popular choice for wedding bands!) consider that you may have to invest in having some of the stones replaced on a regular basis; it’s a maintenance issue just like changing the oil in your car. We do specialize in replacing inlaid stones and can restore your band to look its best again.

For more information, you can contact us at info@oldtownjewels.com or (602) 350-4009.