CARE, WEAR AND TEAR

Your Nine Lives piece is made to last - but like all things worn and lived in, it tells its story over time. Here’s how to keep it looking its best:

EVERYDAY CARE ᯓ★

  • Sterling silver naturally oxidises and may darken with wear.
  • A quick rub with a jewellery polishing cloth restores shine.
  • For a deeper clean, soak in warm soapy water and gently scrub with a soft toothbrush, then rinse and dry thoroughly.
  • Avoid chemicals, pools, and cleaning products: they’ll speed up tarnishing.
  • Store in its box or pouch when not worn to protect against scratches and moisture.

A NOTE ON TARNISHING ᯓ★

All pieces are made of solid sterling silver (.925) - unlike plated jewellery, which eventually rubs down to expose a base metal. Over time, silver naturally reacts with air, moisture, skincare products, and even your skin’s chemistry, forming a surface layer known as tarnish.

  • Tarnish can show up as a yellowish film, dull grey tone, or black patches.
  • Some people’s skin is more acidic, which can cause silver to darken more quickly. This isn’t a flaw, it’s a natural process that can be polished away.
  • To remove tarnish: use warm soapy water with a soft toothbrush, or a polishing cloth on a dry piece.
  • To slow it down: store pieces in their box, keep them dry, and avoid spraying perfumes or creams directly on your jewellery.
  • I also offer lifetime free polishing if you’d like to send your piece back for a refresh.

Please email info@ninelivesjewellery.com for any polishing, refinishing services or concerns/ enquiries on tarnishing. I want to ensure that all pieces are of the highest quality and your feedback matters. If you experience any premature tarnishing or tarnish that doesn't appear to be surface level, please get in contact immediately and I will assist you.

WEAR & TEAR ᯓ★

Scratches and marks are part of the story of a lived-in piece. However, if you want to refresh your piece, I offer the following:

  • Lifetime Free Polishing: Every Nine Lives piece comes with free polishing for life. This means I’ll remove tarnish and bring back its shine using professional polishing and ultrasonic cleaning. It does not remove deep scratches or dents- those are part of natural wear.
  • Refinishing Services: For deeper scratches, dents, or reshaping, I offer additional refinishing at a modest fee. This returns the piece closer to its first shine but still respects the handcrafted nature of the design.

Please visit our Resizing and Repairs Page for additional information.