Resin Jewellery Care
* COVID warning. Please be careful with sanitisers (alcohol) and disinfectants (chlorine/bleach) - see chemicals below.
Resin is a hard, glossy, sophisticated composite. I use slow cure, jewellers grade resin which is hard wearing, crystal clear, cool to touch and looks and feels much like glass. It is widely used by professional artists and jewellery makers.
If you want to consider glass be aware that it is not as 'bomb proof' as people claim. Due to the extreme heat required in making glass, delicate inclusions such as hair & flowers cannot be set. Glass jewellery can be expensive and the range of designs is very limited, usually to colours and swirls - I cannot create my hand painted, custom designs using glass and haven't seen anyone else who can- which is why I have chosen resin as a setting medium to allow for a unique, creative and, I think, more stunning result. I hope you agree the difference is worth the extra care it needs.
To make sure your jewellery stays looking it's best please follow the care instructions below. This will save you needing your pieces repaired or replaced or risk losing valuable inclusions that have been set in the resin. The do's and dont's may seem daunting at first glance but, with just a bit of care, my customers have worn their jewellery for years without a problem.
Chemicals
Protect your jewellery from harsh cleaning chemicals or spraying directly with alcohol based products. Perfume, hair spray, nail polish remover, sanitisers, some make up, lotions and body sprays etc.. are all solvents and may damage, dull or soften the resin surface and it's bond to the metal. It is safest to remove or cover your jewellery if in doubt until everything is dry. If you have an 'accident' rinse it immediately in warm soapy water and all should be well.
Bleach & bleach products including chlorine will turn all 925 sterling silver and plated metal black/brown on contact so please take care with this. It can be cleaned off with silver polish or toothpaste but if very strong and left on too long may pit the surface of the metal.
Alcohol based Hand sanitiser is a solvent. It is safe to use sparingly but avoid applying it to the setting.
See 'cleaning' below if the surface has been affected.
Sunlight & heat
Heat - Extreme heat may cause the resin surface to soften and distort and break it's bond with the metal. Everyday wear in the summer heat is fine but don't leave it in a hot car for example and remove when sunbathing. If it does get very hot by accident don't touch the surface until it has cooled. The resin is completely stable up to at least 50˚C / 122˚F
Sunlight - The resins I use have the latest, high performance, built in UV stabilisers and filters and the pigments & paints are ASTM I/**** lightfast so your jewellery will maintain it's colour well. However, as with anything else, strong sunlight will always win in the end.
UV lamps - Avoid exposing your jewellery to any UV lamps. It is best to remove your jewellery if you are having nail gel treatments etc.
Water
Resin is water resistant and showering, hand washing is fine but do remove your jewellery before swimming because of the chemicals. Very hot water may cause the resin surface to soften and distort and break it's bond with the metal.
Cleaning
A damp, soft cloth is normally all the resin surface needs to remove fingerprints etc..
Avoid silver soaking solutions. Usually a rub with toothpaste on a damp cloth and rinse brings the shine back to silver. If you are used to cleaning your jewellery in a solution of bicarb on tin foil please don't use water that is above 'hand hot' and rinse the item immediately, polishing dry with a soft cloth.
If the resin surface has been grazed or become clouded by coming into contact with chemicals a rub with metal or plastic polish buffed vigorously with a microfibre cloth before the polish dries should restore the shine.
But Don't worry...
If you do accidentally damage your jewellery please let me know and I can arrange to repair or reset it for you.
Resin is a hard, glossy, sophisticated composite. I use slow cure, jewellers grade resin which is hard wearing, crystal clear, cool to touch and looks and feels much like glass. It is widely used by professional artists and jewellery makers.
If you want to consider glass be aware that it is not as 'bomb proof' as people claim. Due to the extreme heat required in making glass, delicate inclusions such as hair & flowers cannot be set. Glass jewellery can be expensive and the range of designs is very limited, usually to colours and swirls - I cannot create my hand painted, custom designs using glass and haven't seen anyone else who can- which is why I have chosen resin as a setting medium to allow for a unique, creative and, I think, more stunning result. I hope you agree the difference is worth the extra care it needs.
To make sure your jewellery stays looking it's best please follow the care instructions below. This will save you needing your pieces repaired or replaced or risk losing valuable inclusions that have been set in the resin. The do's and dont's may seem daunting at first glance but, with just a bit of care, my customers have worn their jewellery for years without a problem.
Chemicals
Protect your jewellery from harsh cleaning chemicals or spraying directly with alcohol based products. Perfume, hair spray, nail polish remover, sanitisers, some make up, lotions and body sprays etc.. are all solvents and may damage, dull or soften the resin surface and it's bond to the metal. It is safest to remove or cover your jewellery if in doubt until everything is dry. If you have an 'accident' rinse it immediately in warm soapy water and all should be well.
Bleach & bleach products including chlorine will turn all 925 sterling silver and plated metal black/brown on contact so please take care with this. It can be cleaned off with silver polish or toothpaste but if very strong and left on too long may pit the surface of the metal.
Alcohol based Hand sanitiser is a solvent. It is safe to use sparingly but avoid applying it to the setting.
See 'cleaning' below if the surface has been affected.
Sunlight & heat
Heat - Extreme heat may cause the resin surface to soften and distort and break it's bond with the metal. Everyday wear in the summer heat is fine but don't leave it in a hot car for example and remove when sunbathing. If it does get very hot by accident don't touch the surface until it has cooled. The resin is completely stable up to at least 50˚C / 122˚F
Sunlight - The resins I use have the latest, high performance, built in UV stabilisers and filters and the pigments & paints are ASTM I/**** lightfast so your jewellery will maintain it's colour well. However, as with anything else, strong sunlight will always win in the end.
UV lamps - Avoid exposing your jewellery to any UV lamps. It is best to remove your jewellery if you are having nail gel treatments etc.
Water
Resin is water resistant and showering, hand washing is fine but do remove your jewellery before swimming because of the chemicals. Very hot water may cause the resin surface to soften and distort and break it's bond with the metal.
Cleaning
A damp, soft cloth is normally all the resin surface needs to remove fingerprints etc..
Avoid silver soaking solutions. Usually a rub with toothpaste on a damp cloth and rinse brings the shine back to silver. If you are used to cleaning your jewellery in a solution of bicarb on tin foil please don't use water that is above 'hand hot' and rinse the item immediately, polishing dry with a soft cloth.
If the resin surface has been grazed or become clouded by coming into contact with chemicals a rub with metal or plastic polish buffed vigorously with a microfibre cloth before the polish dries should restore the shine.
But Don't worry...
If you do accidentally damage your jewellery please let me know and I can arrange to repair or reset it for you.