If we omit the reason for gilding brass jewelry is to look like gold, they are gilded to last beautiful longer. Brass is a beautiful metal in itself, but it oxidizes - is greening and blackening thanks to air. For example, if we just touch a polished brass surface, we will leave fingerprints on it, which we will not be able to just wipe, but we would have to polish or buffer the jewelry. Nevertheless, because brass contains 50 to 90% of copper, it turns skin green, so untreated brass is not so suitable for direct contact, for example with earrings. Created copper oxid is not harmful in any way, but it is not something we would look for.
With a fine layer of gold, we create a protective layer on the jewelry, which prevents oxidation. As it is an electroplating, this layer gradually rubs off during intensive use of the jewelery and the underlying brass is exposed. Although these two colors are very similar, oxidation of brass can show defects on the surface of the jewelry. We can always have the jewelry re-gilded, for example, in a goldsmith's shop.
Typically, we should avoid creams, which are very damaging to the plared layer. Especially when creaming your hands, such ring should be put down. We also do not put on jewelry until all our products are absorbed.
Manipulation with jewelry
Jewelry is soldered with silver solder. Such joints are very strong but also prone to breakage when bent. Therefore, if you need to adjust the jewelry slightly or it will deform slightly during wearing, the wire will bend something, avoid bending the joint area - you will know this with a larger amount of material. Our jewelry are often very delicate, trying for thin lines. If a part of jewelry breaks, be sure to contact me, I will be happy to repair such jewelry for you.
Storage
It is not suitable to store brass jewelry where is higher humidity, for example in the bathroom. When the jewelry gets wet, we should always dry it, do not leave it lying in its own pool of water. It is ideal to store the jewelry in a jewelry box with reduced humidity.
Maintenance and polishing
If the gilding layer is intact, the jewelry can be gently polished with a fine cloth, but we should not polish much, because we only sand the layer of gold. Gold itself does not oxidize like silver, so its maintenance is minimal. We should not use any acids or bases such as vinegar or baking soda. Wash under running water, with a little detergent and use a soft brush.
At skin contact, plating worn out faster. These are mainly rings and hooks of earrings. If we have non-gold-plated jewelery or jewelery on which the gilding has already worn out and we are bothered by the greening of the skin, we can, for example, paint the contact places on the jewelery with transparent nail polish. This is one of the alternatives to gilding the jewelry. However, the green copper oxide itself is not dangerous and can be easily washed with water.