ORE & OATH

JEWELRY CARE

Made to change.

Precious metals are not static materials.

Sterling silver responds to air, moisture, skin, friction, and time. Bright surfaces may soften. Recesses may darken. Small marks can accumulate where an object meets the body and the world around it.

We consider that evolution part of the life of the piece.

Care should preserve the object without erasing its history.

Everyday wear

ORE & OATH jewelry is made to be worn, but a few habits will help protect it.

Remove jewelry before swimming or entering hot tubs, using household cleaners or harsh chemicals, applying lotions, fragrances, hairspray, or similar products, or performing activities that may bend, crush, or deeply scratch the piece.

Allow cosmetics and fragrances to dry before putting jewelry on.

Sterling silver

Sterling silver naturally tarnishes as it reacts with its environment. Tarnish is normal and does not mean the metal is damaged.

For routine cleaning, use a soft, lint-free cloth.

If more cleaning is needed, wash the piece gently with lukewarm water and a small amount of mild dish soap. Use a very soft brush if necessary, rinse thoroughly, and dry completely.

A silver polishing cloth can restore brightness to polished surfaces.

Use polishing compounds sparingly. Repeated aggressive polishing removes small amounts of metal over time and can soften edges, textures, and details.

Patina and darkened details

Some ORE & OATH pieces may use intentional oxidation or rely on naturally darkened recesses to emphasize form.

Do not aggressively polish these areas unless you intentionally want to change their appearance.

Chemical silver dips and abrasive cleaners can remove oxidation quickly and may alter the intended finish. We generally recommend avoiding them.

Storage

When not being worn, store each piece separately in a dry place.

Keeping jewelry in its original box or a soft pouch helps reduce scratching, tangling, and unnecessary exposure to air and humidity.

For sterling silver, an anti-tarnish strip may also help slow oxidation during storage.

Chains, clasps, and moving parts

Fine chains and engineered closures should not be pulled, twisted, or forced.

Open clasps using their intended mechanism rather than pulling the piece apart.

If a closure begins to feel different, becomes loose, or stops engaging properly, discontinue wear until it can be inspected.

Repairs

If an ORE & OATH piece becomes damaged, worn, or no longer functions as intended, contact us before attempting a repair yourself.

Where practical, we would rather restore an object than replace its history.

A note on wear

Scratches, patina, softened surfaces, and other signs of ordinary use are not always flaws.

They are evidence that an object has been carried.

What remains becomes part of us.