Sterling Silver Jewelry Care and Maintenance
Care & Keep
Sterling silver is one of three noble metals used in fine jewelry, alongside gold and platinum. It is soft, malleable and beautifully suited to the intricate art-inspired designs we make — but, like every noble metal, it lasts longer when cared for with intention.
Remove
Take off your sterling silver jewelry — especially rings — before showering, exercising, gardening, cleaning or cooking.
Clean
Wipe each piece regularly with a treated sterling silver polishing cloth — the outer side of every CGNY pouch doubles as one.
Store
Keep your CGNY jewelry in our pouch, an airtight box or a small plastic bag away from light to prevent excess tarnishing.
A Noble Metal
Sterling silver contains 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% alloy — typically copper, zinc or nickel. Pure silver alone is too soft for jewelry; the alloy gives it the strength to hold detail.
Because it is soft and malleable, sterling silver can be scratched or dented if mistreated. Use cleaning cloths formulated specifically for sterling silver, and store each piece in our CGNY pouch — designed to protect and polish in a single object.
Safe & Clean
Wearing sterling silver in the shower, at the gym, while cleaning, gardening or cooking can damage or tarnish your CGNY piece. Soaps, cleaning solutions, hairspray, lotions and dirt dim the shine of silver and, over time, can damage both the metal and any gemstones.
Avoid harsh chemicals such as bleach and chlorine. To prevent tarnish and scratching, store every piece in our CGNY pouch, designed to both protect and polish.
Keep the Spin
CGNY Spinner Rings are made of two sterling silver rings — an inner stationary band and an outer band that spins. Both circles must keep their perfectly round shape for the spinning mechanism to move freely. Even a small dent on the outer band can reduce or stop the spin.
If You See a Green Tint
Some wearers occasionally notice a light green tint on the skin, particularly with rings. This does not mean the metal is poor quality. Sterling silver contains 7.5% alloy — usually copper — and a chemical reaction can occur when copper meets skin and personal-care products like oils or lotions.
The intensity depends on the alloy mix, your perspiration and the products you wear on your skin. Tarnished copper can also leave a green residue. It is harmless and washes off easily.
Enamel With Care
We use enamel as an accent on selected Grateful Dead pieces to add iconic color. Enamel is essentially powdered glass fused to the metal at high temperature — more delicate than precious metal alone, and prone to chipping if handled roughly.
Keep enameled pieces away from lotions, shampoos and cleansers. Avoid swimming in salt or chlorinated water and remove during heavy perspiration. To clean, wipe gently with a damp, soft cloth — nothing more.
At-Home Clasp Repair
Our Grateful Dead Sterling Silver Woven Bracelets close with two mechanisms — a Box Clasp and a Figure-8 Safety Clasp — both designed to keep the piece securely on your wrist. With wear, both can loosen. Below is how to restore each at home.
Box Clasp
The Tongue is the part that slides into the open Box. Over time the Tongue can flatten and stop holding firmly. Insert the point of a knife between the upper and lower halves of the Tongue and twist gently to open the gap. Repeat on both sides — the Tongue should now hold firmly when inserted into the Box.
Figure-8 Safety Clasp
After closing the Box Clasp, the Figure-8 clicks onto the Silver Ball — extra protection against loss. Over time the Figure-8 can lose its shape. Using needle-nose pliers, gently squeeze the loop back into a perfect 8 — it will then clasp firmly over the Silver Ball again.
