About
DISTINCTIVE AND BOLD
Copper is a very versatile and durable metal with an attractive red-brown colour and a smooth sheen. Over time, copper begins to lose its sheen and develops a “patina”.
Your jewellery was purposely treated to create a patina and was then cleaned on the high points to show through highlights and to give it depth.
QUALITY CRAFTSMANSHIP
Wire wrapped jewellery is a technique for making handmade jewellery dating back to ancient times. This artisan craft entails bending wire to make decorative loops and join components which are then wrapped around itself and/or stones.
The techniques used, make the loop or decorative shape permanent and pressure from different directions provide strength and durability.
At Blue Flower Art, we continue with these techniques to provide you with durable and attractive jewellery without the use of glues or chemicals.
CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE
To maintain the sheen and patina, all you need to do is to occasionally buff your jewellery with a copper cleaning cloth to bring back the shine. You can slow down the tarnishing process by giving your jewellery a quick buff before wearing it and before storing it.
You will have received a small cleaning cloth with your purchase. To replace it, we suggest that you purchase “Sunshine Cleaning Cloths”. They are readily available from supermarkets, jewellers or hardware stores.
If you don’t have a polishing cloth, you may use some backing soda or toothpaste mixed with water and rub the jewellery between your fingers followed by a thorough rinse with water and dry thoroughly with a soft cloth.
We don’t recommend that you use abrasives or home remedies such as lemon or vinegar since they will remove the patina we added and may damage the stones or beads that are set in the jewellery.
Avoid wearing copper jewellery when exposed to chemicals such as chlorine in swimming pools or household detergents.
HOW TO STORE
Air and humidity cause copper to tarnish. You can slow down this process by storing your copper jewellery in a cool, dry place such as an airtight container or a zip-lock bag.
Sealing will reduce the tarnishing process. It also helps if you add a silica sachet to the storage container or bag. Before storing your copper, make sure that it is completely dry.
COPPER STAINS ON YOUR SKIN
Sometimes, copper turns your skin green. This is a reaction of the metal with your perspiration. It is called “copper chelate” and it is not harmful and will wash off.
Copper is also an antimicrobial and anti-fungal metal and does not normally harm or irritate the skin.
Your body only absorbs as much copper as it needs. Any excess copper that can’t be absorbed, is left on your skin, usually in a shade of green. It can be easily washed away however, it can be stopped by sealing the copper that touches your skin.
You can seal the copper with some clear nail polish on the parts of the jewellery that touches your skin.
If sealing your jewellery concerns you, return the jewellery to us and we will seal it for you for a small fee and return it. Normal shipping fees will apply to return your jewellery after sealing.
WARRANTY
Wire wrapped jewellery by Rita Drysdall has been tested for strength under ordinary wear and against snagging and sharp edges.
All care was taken in making your pendant that it will not unravel or is defective. However, stones can be delicate and will break and chip unless treated with care. In addition, metals will wear with ordinary use and we cannot cover this natural process.
Chains and cords are not covered by this warranty. However, if you have a problem with a chain or cord, please contact us. We would like to know so we can raise it with our suppliers.
We cover against defective workmanship for a period of 2 (two) years but we cannot cover ordinary and abusive wear or treatment.
Please note that hand made jewellery will often show tooling marks and imperfections. Although we make every effort to remove these marks and imperfections, they remain a characteristic of hand made jewellery.
Any claims on a warranty will require that the jewellery be sent to us for inspection and assessment.
Repairs carried out by other persons or artisans will void this warranty.
Abusive wear or treatment will void this warranty.
To ensure the life of this original work of art, be certain to maintain it according to the instructions provided. If you have misplaced the instructions, please contact us for a replacement leaflet.