JEWELRY CARE INSTRUCTIONS

Each piece of jewelry from BAZK Berlin is carefully handcrafted in our Berlin studio. We value sustainable beauty and want your ring, necklace, earrings, or any other piece to last a lifetime. To ensure you can enjoy your new favorites for years to come, it’s important to care for them regularly. Here’s how to give your jewelry the care it deserves.

Store your jewelry in a clean, dry place

This may seem like an obvious tip, but at the end of the day, we’ve all thrown our jewelry into a drawer or left it on the nightstand. It’s best to store your jewelry in the fabric pouch we provide with each piece or in a fabric-lined jewelry box with compartments and dividers. If you don’t have a jewelry box, wrap each piece in a soft cloth or paper before placing it in a drawer. This will help prevent scratches and tangling. Silver jewelry, in particular, tends to oxidize quickly, so it’s important to store it in a pouch or cloth to minimize exposure to air and moisture.

Avoid harmful chemicals

Hairspray, lotion, and perfume can damage certain metals and colored gemstones. Precious metals like gold, silver, and platinum are particularly susceptible to discoloration from these everyday grooming products. When getting ready in the morning or preparing for an evening out, set your jewelry aside or, better yet, keep it in its box until you're ready to wear it. This will help protect your jewelry from the harmful effects of these common products.

Use mild cleaners for regular cleaning

One of the best methods for cleaning jewelry is using warm water, mild dish soap, and a soft brush. Ultrasonic cleaning is also popular among jewelry enthusiasts seeking a more thorough approach. If you’re considering ultrasonic cleaning, it’s best to have your jewelry cleaned by trained jewelers who understand how to apply this technology safely. Improper use of ultrasonic cleaning can loosen or damage gemstones. Organic stones like pearls, coral, ivory, and amber should never be cleaned using ultrasound. The same goes for gemstones sensitive to heat and temperature changes, such as tanzanite, moonstone, opal, turquoise, and topaz.

When in doubt, take it off

The swimming pool is not an ideal place for your valuable jewelry, nor is the gym. Even when cooking or doing household chores, it’s a good idea to store your jewelry in a safe place. This not only protects your precious pieces from harsh chemicals and dirt buildup but also helps prevent the loss of your jewelry. You wouldn’t be the first to have to retrieve a ring from a pool drain, the Spree River, or the Landwehr Canal... A nightmare you should never have to experience.

Oxidized Jewelry

If you own a piece of jewelry from us that has been intentionally oxidized to achieve a darker finish, please note that this darker color will fade over time. If the oxidation wears off and you’d like to restore the original intensity, we recommend sending the piece back to us, and we will re-oxidize it for you free of charge. You can also do this at home; here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Materials:

- Soap (dish soap is best)
- Glass cup
- Plastic tongs or a brush with a wooden or plastic handle
- Sulfur Liver Extended Life Gel (available here)
- Polishing cloth
- Toothbrush or similar brush

Please note:

- Always do this in a well-ventilated area.
- Follow the safety instructions on the bottle.
- Do not do this with pieces that have soft or delicate stones.
- Do not place any metal other than your silver jewelry into the sulfur solution.

Step 1: Wash

You need to remove all oils and dirt from your jewelry. Gently scrub your piece with warm soapy water and a toothbrush. If a piece is particularly dirty, you can soak it for a few minutes beforehand. Rinse your piece and dry it.

Step 2: Mix

Screw off the cap of the sulfur (*Tip: Do not use the pour spout of the cap – it can get very messy). Dip the end of your brush or tongs into the sulfur and mix it in about half a cup of hot tap water. Do not let water enter the bottle; this will shorten the shelf life of your sulfur. The color of the mixture should be dark yellow – slightly darker than the color of a lemon peel.

Step 3: Soak

Carefully drop your cleaned jewelry into the solution and set a timer. Check your piece every 5 minutes until you like the color. Do not leave it soaking without checking; it could become too dark and ruin the finish of your silver.

Step 4: Rinse

Once you have achieved the desired color, remove your piece and rinse it thoroughly, then scrub it briefly again with soapy water. If you'd like, you can dry it and lightly buff it with 1000-grit sandpaper or a piece of steel wool to maintain the authentic look and feel of your BAZK Berlin piece.

Step 5: Dispose

Rinse your sulfur solution down the drain with plenty of water and enjoy your refreshed jewelry!

Now that you know how to care for your jewelry, discover our collections, or contact us if you have any more questions or doubts.