Jewelry Care
With a little care, your jewelry should last you a lifetime. Here are some simple care tips:
Remove jewelry when showering, swimming, applying lotion/skincare products or perfume, or working out.
Use caution when engaging in activities that may cause scratches or damage, such as gardening or holding babies.
Some skin types may react to gold jewelry, causing green or black staining, which is a normal reaction to the alloys used in 14k gold.
A Lesson In Gold
We use 14k solid gold on our heirloom jewelry and our pieces are designed to last you a lifetime. 14k solid gold will not rub off, turn color over time and provides the best balance between quality and durability. (The karat refers to the percentage of pure gold in the alloy: 14k gold contains 58.3% pure gold.)
A note for customers ordering a mixed metal product: White Gold comes rhodium plated (with a shiny finish) and our yellow and rose gold pieces are satin finish.
Yellow Gold
Gold alloyed with copper and silver, giving a warm yellow tone.
White Gold
Gold alloyed with copper, silver, nickel, and palladium together. Rhodium plated for a bright shine. (We recommend re-plating every couple of years to maintain the finish.)
Rose Gold
Gold alloyed with copper. The specific combination determines the final rosy color.
Now Offering 10K Gold
With a slightly lower pure gold content (41.7%) than 14K (58.3%), it offers exceptional durability making it a perfect choice for daily wear. It can be treated and cleaned the same as 14K.
The Best in Industry
We carry Shinery products - a company whose mission is to make jewelry care part of your daily ritual. Their products are formulated to be clean, non-toxic, and safe on all Vana Chupp Studio pieces.
Other Metals We Use
STERLING SILVER
As of July 1, 2023 we no longer offer Sterling Silver in our custom jewelry.
For more info read HERE. If you have any questions or are in need of a repair, please don't hesitate to reach out at info@vanachuppstudio.com.
The best way to clean your sterling silver charm or ornament, and to prevent or remove dirt and tarnish, is to use a silver polishing cloth or any anti-tarnish silver polish which can be found at your local supermarket or drugstore. Rub the cloth on the charm until it's shiny again.
Our Keychains and Ornaments are still available in .925 Sterling Silver.
Gold Filled
With the exception of lockets, we have discontinued this metal as of September 9, 2019. For more details please read our post HERE.
Brass
We use brass on our silhouette and home ornaments. Brass is a base metal and it will tarnish over time receiving a unique patina. This is completely normal.
The best way to remove tarnish from brass is to use ketchup which contains acetic acid. Store your ornaments in its original box to ensure they stay beautiful year after year.
We offer Ornament Polishing Cloths - perfect for restoring ornaments, silverware and even jewelry to their original state. Made of premium cotton in Cape Cod, these cloths are pre-moistened with the perfect amount of polish. These are available when purchasing an ornament, or by themselves.
Professional Cleaning is also available per request.
If you'd like to keep your ornaments looking fresh and never have to worry about tarnishing, we recommend Powder Coating (only good on Brass.)
Additional Jewelry Care Tips
Diamonds
Diamonds can be cleaned using warm water and a dash of the Radiance Wash.
Gemstones
Gemstones are sensitive to heat, perfumes, household cleaners, oils and chemical. Use warm water with a pump of the Radiance Wash to clean them and dry them immediately with a soft cloth. Do not use commercial jewelry cleaners on pearls, opals and other softer gemstones.
Enamel
A gentle soap and water solution should also clean off any oils and residue.
For all of our Enamel Medallions, Lockets, and Cufflinks we recommend our Radiance Wash or Radiance Towelettes if you're on the go. It is a non-toxic formula made with plant-derived surfactants that clean oil, beauty buildup and other residues from your jewelry.
Pearls
A pearl's surface is not very hard and it can easily be damaged by other pieces of jewelry if stored together. Since pearls are organic gemstones, they can be fragile and very sensitive to chemicals and moisture. Avoid contact with lotions, perfume, water and hair products. Wipe your pearl jewelry with a Radiance Towelette after each wear.
Repairs + Product Life
We made fine jewelry of the highest quality and craftsmanship meant to be worn daily. But we know life happens, and we are here to assist you. We offer free repairs within 90 days for any breakage caused by manufacturer defect.
In need of a repair outside the free repair window? Please fill out our Repair Evaluation. A team member will follow up in 2 business days with a quote. Repairs have a 10-15 business days turnaround.
International orders are not eligible for returns or repairs. Products that have been previously altered by another jeweler are not eligible for repairs.
Cleaning & Refinishing
Every piece that is sent in and agree to service (such as Add-A-Charm or a Repair) will receive a basic cleaning with an ultrasonic cleaner. We do offer professional cleaning as a separate paid service that you can inquire about through our Repair Evaluation Request. If you own a 10K or 14K White Gold piece of jewelry, please reach out to us if you're interested in having your piece re-plated at info@vanachuppstudio.com.
What is Professional Cleaning?
Our professional cleaning service includes disassembling (if necessary) and running your piece through our entire polishing process. This will return your piece back to our signature satin finish.