At Riva Esencia, we carefully select the materials for each piece to ensure they last as long as possible. Here's how to care for them based on their material, and what to do if an earring doesn't close properly.
The Materials of Your Jewelry
Depending on the piece you choose, your jewelry may be made of:
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Stainless Steel: A material resistant to water, sweat, and daily wear. For gold-plated pieces, this resistance applies to the base metal; the plating or surface finish requires additional care to maintain its condition.
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Brass: A warm and noble metal we use as a base in many of our gold-plated pieces.
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925 Silver: Sterling silver, a noble material that, with proper care, maintains its shine for years.
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18K Gold Plating: A gold coating over the piece that gives it an intense shine, although it needs a bit more care (explained below).
You can check the material of each piece of jewelry in its product description.
Daily Care
These tips apply to any material and are the simplest way to make your jewelry last longer:
- Put it on after applying perfume, creams, or cosmetics, never before: chemicals are the most common cause of gold plating wearing off prematurely.
- Take it off before showering, swimming in the sea or pool, or exercising. Chlorine, salt, and sweat wear down any metal over time.
- Avoid sleeping with it on to prevent snags or rubbing while you sleep.
- Store it in a dry, cool place, away from direct sunlight, and if possible, in its pouch or box, separated from other jewelry.
A Special Note on 18K Gold Plating
Gold plating is a coating, not a solid gold piece, so it can wear off over time. The speed at which this happens depends much more on care than on how long you've been wearing the piece: sweat, skin pH, and contact with chemical products are the factors that accelerate it the most. By taking good care of it, you will preserve its shine for much longer.
How to Clean Your Jewelry
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Stainless Steel and Brass: Wipe them with a soft, dry cloth (or slightly damp if necessary) and dry them thoroughly afterward. They don't need special products.
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925 Silver: If it darkens over time, a silver polishing cloth will restore its shine. Always do this with gentle movements.
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18K Gold Plating: Never rub forcefully. Use only a soft, dry cloth, without cleaning products or polishes: these could wear down the plating prematurely.
How to Store Your Jewelry
- In a cool, dark place, away from heat and direct sunlight.
- Individually: rubbing between jewelry, especially of different materials, accelerates the wear of both.
- Never in the bathroom or humid places.
Hoop and Click Earrings That Don't Close Properly
Many of our earrings feature a practical click clasp, designed to provide a comfortable and secure fit. To maintain its adjustment, always open and close them gently, avoiding excessive force on the hoop.
If the clasp stops making its characteristic "click" or you notice it has lost its firmness, the hoop may have become slightly misaligned when opened. In this case, a small adjustment is usually enough for the clasp to fit correctly again.
If Your Hoop Has a Hook That Inserts into a Loop
Gently hold both ends of the hoop with clean fingers (or with fine-nosed pliers if you prefer). Very gently press the hook end inward until it aligns with the loop, so that when closed, they fit precisely opposite each other. No force is needed: a small adjustment is usually sufficient.
If Your Earring Has a Push-Back Clasp (Click-Type)
If you notice that the clasp has loosened and no longer "clicks" when closed, gently press the earring hook up or down to readjust its height relative to the clasp. It's a small gesture, but it restores its original precision.
If the clasp still doesn't work properly after trying, email us at info@rivaesencia.com and we'll help you resolve it.
