Frequently Asked Questions

Proactive maintenance is the best way to prolong the lifespan of your jewelry.

Store gold and silver jewelry separately in a box or plastic bag to prevent scratching and, in the case of sterling silver, tarnish. After wearing your jewelry, wipe them gently with a soft cloth. 

Some of our necklaces and bracelets are strung with silk and others with a nylon coated stainless steel wire to assure daily wearability and to prevent breakage. Due to the nature of the metal wire it is advised not to harshly bend or pinch the articles and to store them on a flat surface respecting the curvature of the metal. Once the wire is pinched the necklace or bracelet might need to be restrung.

To restore shine or remove tarnish, buff gently with a polishing cloth, like Sunshine, and a small sample will be included with your item.  Our bronze jewelry is coat-treated to prevent patination, so there is no need to use a polishing cloth.

The dark appearance of oxidized sterling silver may lighten over time and we recommend a delicate clean, otherwise the finish may rub off. Oxidation can be redone or retouched. Email carla@depadovajewelry.com to set it up or choose a jeweler near you.

Treat your gemstones with the care they deserve, all are genuine mineral stones with varying degrees of hardness.  Many gemstones are susceptible to discoloration and fading when excessively exposed to elements such as sun, salt water, and perspiration as well as chlorine. It is strongly suggested to wear jewelry after applying cosmetics, perfume and lotion.

Opals are amazingly beautiful stones and they require care, just like pearls do, and a degree of protection since they are not the hardest of stones. Unlike the rare Australian Opals, Ethiopian Opals are porous and are not to be cleaned with water, since water will discolor the stone. Wipe stones gently with a soft clean cloth after each use.