PRODUCT CARE

TRIBAL SILVER AND STERLING SILVER

Tribal Silver (Hill Tribes Silver) is traditionally handcrafted using 95% to 99% pure silver content whilst Sterling Silver is made using 92.5% pure silver. These charms & beads used in MILLA-JO designs are intricately handmade utilising ancient casting techniques. Although the finished beads are not as bright as sterling silver, the quality of the silver holds its shine, lasts longer and is generally more resistant to tarnish.

TARNISHING PROCESS

Tarnishing is a natural process due to silver oxidising when coming in contact with the air and natural environment. It does not permanently damage your jewellery. There are a few key reasons your silver jewellery starts showing signs of tarnish which may include:

  • Oxidisation is a reaction that will gradually turn shiny silver metal to a light-yellow colour. Without maintenance, the yellow discoloration will eventually turn to black. This chemical reaction is caused when the silver naturally reacts to hydrogen sulphide, the chemical which causes the oxidisation and discoloration of your silver,

  • Moisture may cause your silver items to tarnish. Excessive contact with moisture will simply speed up the natural tarnishing of your jewellery. Sterling Silver jewellery will slowly react to the moisture on your skin or in the air. This is even more common in hot and humid climates, and

  • Chemical substances such as cosmetics, perfume, hairspray, bleach or body lotions can also speed up the process of tarnishing. Make-up on your skin contains chemical compounds which are harder than the silver itself. These compounds rub off the tiniest particles of metal which come out as jet black dust.

SILVER JEWELLERY CARE 

DAILY POLISHING

To remove dirt, smudges and oils from the surface, you can polish your silver regularly with a soft cloth. It is not recommended to use coarse fabrics as this may result in scratching of the silver surface and causing permanent damage. For best results use only silver jewellery polishing cloths.

PERIODIC CLEAN

Without regular cleaning, your jewellery will become harder to restore to its original brilliance. For a deep clean we recommend a simple home accessible cleaning method such as the use of a NATURAL SOAP & WATER.

  • Put silver jewellery pieces to a bowl of warm soapy water,

  • Use your fingers and preferably a very soft brush to gently scrub tarnish from your jewellery pieces, and

  • Rinse in clean water and dry using a silver polishing cloth.

This gentle cleaning method may require some extra effort and time on your part, but it will preserve the detail and quality of your jewellery.

DISCLAIMER: Above cleaning methods are listed for reference only. Where possible, we recommend tarnished silver pieces to be cleaned professionally at your local jewellers. We don't accept any responsibility for damaged jewellery using any of the cleaning methods suggested above.

STORAGE

To delay oxidisation, keep your MILLA-JO jewellery away from moisture, lotions and other beauty products.

Each silver piece should ideally be cleaned then stored in its own soft jewellery pouch or bag. We recommend separating your silver jewellery from other metals, because they can also speed up the process of tarnish.