Maintenance & Repairs
Stone care
Semi-precious stones, like precious stones, require a little maintenance to keep their shine.
To avoid scratching them, we advise you to wash them using a cloth soaked in alcohol at 90°.
In general, they should also be avoided too long exposure to the sun which could alter the color of the lightest stones.
Money maintenance
925/1000th silver jewelry oxidizes naturally over time. This phenomenon can be accentuated depending on the type of the skin and particularly its acidity. The blackening of a silver jewel can also be caused by contact with a detergent product, with cosmetic products or by frequent exposure to dust. Tarnishing is therefore not a manufacturing defect
All our jewelry comes with a treated micro-fiber fabric that allows you to revive the silver while providing it with a layer of protection against tarnishing. You can also rub your silver with baking soda mixed with warm water (a tablespoon of baking soda in a coffee cup).
Your jewelry and the water...
A question that often comes up revolves around the possibility of bathing with your jewellery.
In general, it is NOT RECOMMENDED to put your jewelery under water, whether in the shower, the swimming pool, the sea or the ocean.
Although in itself our jewelry has nothing to fear from water, the same is not true of soaps, salt water or worse, chlorinated water.
Exposure to water will void the warranty.
Repairs
Have you broken your bracelet or do you want to give it a facelift? Want to change the color of the macrame yarn? stones? Do you need to enlarge or shrink your jewelry?
We offer you a maintenance and repair service for your jewelery which covers most of your needs from €19 including tax. This service offers you a complete reassembly of your jewel and a polishing/brightening of the silver parts.
Questions answers
Why is my jewelry turning black?
If you wear sterling silver, it's not a question of “if” your jewelry will tarnish but of “when”. Fortunately, solutions exist to help you protect your sterling silver jewelry. To better understand what is happening, you need to know the causes of dullness: sulphur, humidity, pH of the skin and sunlight. In this guide, you'll get an overview of what tarnish is, how to prevent it from spreading, and some techniques for removing it once it's formed. Be proactive and you can maintain the shine of your silver jewelry.
What is tarnish?
Tarnished sterling silver has a yellow, brown, or black film that masks the silver's characteristic shine. Tarnishing of Sterling Silver is not pretty on the surface - making what was polished and shiny look dull and bland - but does not cause significant physical damage like rust does to iron.
What causes tarnish?
You can attribute it all to sulphur, humidity and sunlight. When one or more of these agents come into contact with the outermost layer of certain metals, it triggers a chemical reaction. The reaction leaves a thin, discolored layer on the surface of the metal. It is oxidation. (The copper in sterling silver is very reactive, which is why sterling silver tarnishes so quickly.)
Tarnishing is a fact of life here on our sunny, watery planet. Sulfur is present in small amounts in the atmosphere and in the air we breathe. It is even more concentrated and more corrosive in cities and industrial areas. The problem is that higher levels of exposure to sulfur, humidity, or light cause tarnish to spread rapidly. Time is also not in favor of silver: the longer the metal is exposed to these agents, even in relatively small amounts, the more it tarnishes.
What should be avoided?
- Sunlight, as well as light bulbs that give off gas.
- Water, especially sulfur-rich well water, sea water and sea air, spas and swimming pools.
- Natural gas, often used in heat sources and stoves.
- Smoke of any kind, including tobacco, car exhaust, chimneys and candles.
- Fabrics and leathers treated and tanned with sulfur compounds.
- Paper, which is treated with water and chemicals containing residual sulfur.
- Fingerprints and other forms of contact with body oils.
- Cosmetics and body products, such as lotions and perfumes.
- Food and wine, especially foods containing eggs, onions, salt and oil.
- Storage under glass, in display cases or plastic bags, where exhaust gases can accumulate.
How can I improve the longevity of my jewelry?
- Wash your hands thoroughly before touching your silver jewelry.
- Store your jewelry in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
- Make sure storage cabinets are airtight.
- Store jewelry in tarnish-resistant bags or organizers.
How to remove tarnish?
First, check to see if your metal is dirty. Clean the part with a little hydra-alcoholic hand gel and scrub with a cotton swab, cotton ball or cotton makeup pad, you can also scrub lightly with a natural bristle brush.
If this does not fix the discoloration, the Flibustier Paris technical team advises you to use a polishing cloth which generally removes light tarnish. A soft cloth has been given to you for this purpose with your jewel in order to be able to clean it and protect it against tarnishing. Once the wipe is finished, you can buy more on our site.