Metal- Sterling Silver will oxidize with exposure to air. To keep the silver bright for a longer time, keep it in a air tight interlocking sealed bag or tarnish pouch. In case your jewelry tarnishes we suggest you use a polish cloth on all things silver. If you use a liquid cleaner to polish your silver please beware of dipping almost all stones and all Freshwater or Saltwater Pearls in this solution. Most liquid cleaners use harsh cleaning chemicals such as acid, that will eat away the coating on Pearls and will discolor stones such as turquoise, coral, tanzanite and so-on. When you must us something to clean silver with these such stones, we suggest you use a regular toothpaste (non-whiting) and a soft toothbrush. Gently brush toothpaste on to silver and lightly brush with the toothbrush still trying to keep toothpaste off stones. Gently wash off the remainder of the toothpaste with cool water, Pat to dry. Always make sure Metal is dry before putting back into interlocking bags. If you do not wait the metal could tarnish in the bag darker than before you cleaned it. If your piece of jewelry has been wire-wrapped you need to take special care of this piece. Adjusting a stone or wrapped metal can weaken the metal so that it might become unwrapped slightly or break. 14kt gold is very soft metal and can bend and scratch very easily. Please make every effort to take care of these pieces. Perfumes, hair styling products, some make-up and even some strong laundry detergents can cause metals to oxidize faster or eat away 24kt gold vermeil plating. Always place jewelry away from where you get ready in the morning and should be the last thing you put on in the morning and the first thing you take off at night. Never sleep in jewelry, Over time that piece will break. Store these and other jewelry pieces away from children and your sweet little pets.

Stones- There is hardly a stone out there that is free from inclusions. Some may not be seen without a microscope. Inclusions happen by the laws of nature and only add to the chartists of the stone helping to identify them. Organic inclusions are only found in Amber. If you see a crack like line in your gemstone this could be completely normal. Long exposure to heat could fracture your stone or make the inclusion larger. If you have any questions please contact us at silverleafgems@aol.com. Almost all stones out there today have been heat treated for better color. Less attractive colors of crystal gemstones can be changed to more desirable hues by enhancing with heat, radium or x-ray treatments and, more recently, by bombardment with elementary partials. Please keep all stones out of sunlight and away from heat exposure. In porous stones, such as lapis lazuli, turquoise, coral and agates, colors are improved by the addition of pigments, oils, resins, plastics, and wax. Such stone treatment is a very ancient practice. Turquoise, Coral, jasper and many agate stones can crack or fade with sun and heat exposure. Please keep all stones out of sunlight and away from heat exposure.

Pearls- Pearls need to be kept in a soft bag away from heat and sunlight. Typically Pearls have a iridescent luster, prone to drying out. There is no guarantee for the life span of a pearl; on average it's 100-150 years. Extreme dryness, acids, perspiration, cosmetics, hair spray and vinegars are all very damaging to Pearls. If your Pearls are strung on silk make sure to not stretch or submerge in water to clean, the silk can pull leaving large gaps. You make find it very expensive to restring them.

Crystal and Glass- We make almost all of our Sugar Babies Collection out of Glass no leaded Crystal. Easy to clean and care for. Use a mild dish soap, warm water and a soft toothbrush to clean. Rinse with cool water, and pat dry. Hand blown glass and lampwork glass needs extra special care when not being worn. Many pieces are very thin and with just the right amount of pressure on that bead could make it shatter. Dropping on the floor could crack or break off a piece of a lampwork bead. Keep in a interlocking sealed bag to keep the metal from tarnishing and then place in a box for storage.