Jewelry Care and Maintenance

At BRAXTON COLLEGE, we craft each piece with care and intention — from the sculptural curves of our serpent bracelets to the luminous sparkle of our vintage zircon earrings. We believe that beautiful jewelry deserves to be cherished for a lifetime, and with the right care, your BRAXTON COLLEGE pieces will continue to shine as brilliantly as the day you first wore them. This guide provides everything you need to know about cleaning, storing, and maintaining your jewelry, so you can enjoy it for years to come.

General Care Principles

Before we dive into specific materials and techniques, here are a few golden rules that apply to all BRAXTON COLLEGE jewelry:

  • Put jewelry on last, take it off first. Perfumes, lotions, hairsprays, and cosmetics contain chemicals that can dull metals and damage gemstones. Always apply these products before putting on your jewelry, and remove your jewelry before washing your hands or applying skincare.

  • Remove jewelry before physical activity. Sweat, friction, and impact can cause wear and tear. Take off your pieces before exercising, swimming, gardening, or sleeping.

  • Keep it dry. Water — especially chlorinated or saltwater — can tarnish metals and weaken clasps. Remove your BRAXTON COLLEGE jewelry before showering, swimming, or doing dishes.

  • Store separately. Jewelry pieces can scratch each other if stored together. Keep each item in its own soft pouch or compartment.

Cleaning Guide by Material

Gold-Toned Pieces

Our gold-toned pieces, including the Isk Gold Simple Snake-Shaped Bracelet, Natural Pearl Gold Necklace, and Vintage Luxury Gold Halo Cubic Zirconia Stud Earrings, have a warm, luminous finish that deserves gentle care.

How to Clean:

  • Use a soft, lint-free cloth to gently buff the surface after each wear. This removes oils and restores shine.

  • For a deeper clean, mix a few drops of mild dish soap (free of harsh chemicals and citrus) into warm water.

  • Dip a soft-bristled brush (such as a baby toothbrush) into the solution and gently brush the piece, paying attention to crevices and chain links.

  • Rinse thoroughly with clean, lukewarm water and pat dry with a soft cloth.

  • Allow the piece to air dry completely before storing.

What to Avoid:

  • Do not use abrasive cleaners, polishing cloths for silver, or ultrasonic cleaners, as these can strip the gold plating.

  • Avoid exposing gold-toned pieces to bleach, ammonia, or chlorine.

Silver-Toned Pieces

Our silver-toned pieces, including the Crystal Silver Serpent Necklace and Silver Luxury Snake Bracelet, have a cool, sleek finish that may naturally tarnish over time due to exposure to air and moisture.

How to Clean:

  • Use a specialized silver polishing cloth to gently buff away tarnish and restore brilliance.

  • For a gentle cleaning, create a paste using baking soda and water. Apply the paste with a soft cloth, rub gently, and rinse thoroughly.

  • Another method: line a bowl with aluminum foil, add hot water and a tablespoon of baking soda, and soak your silver piece for 2 to 3 minutes. Rinse and dry thoroughly.

What to Avoid:

  • Do not use tissue paper or paper towels, as they can scratch the surface.

  • Avoid dipping silver jewelry in harsh chemical dips, as these can strip protective coatings.

  • Store silver pieces in anti-tarnish pouches or airtight containers to slow down tarnishing.

Zircon and Cubic Zirconia Pieces

Many of our BRAXTON COLLEGE pieces feature sparkling zircon and cubic zirconia gemstones, including the Green Colored Zircon Square Necklace, Vintage Luxury Leaf Teardrop Zircon Drop Earrings, Vintage Luxury Round Halo Zircon Stud Earrings, Pig Nose Style Zirconia Link Bracelet, and Intage Luxury Yellow Emerald-Cut Drop Dangle Earrings. These stones are durable but can lose their luster if not properly cared for.

How to Clean:

  • Wipe gently with a soft, damp cloth to remove surface dust and oils.

  • For a deeper clean, use a soft brush dipped in a mild soap and warm water solution. Brush gently around the stone and its setting to remove dirt.

  • Rinse with clean water and dry with a soft, lint-free cloth.

  • Polish the metal parts with a separate soft cloth.

What to Avoid:

  • Do not use ultrasonic cleaners or steam cleaners, as these can loosen the stone settings or cause damage.

  • Avoid harsh chemicals, abrasive pastes, and hard-bristled brushes.

  • Never soak zircon or cubic zirconia pieces in hot water, as sudden temperature changes can cause fractures.

Pearl Jewelry

Our Natural Pearl Gold Necklace features delicate, organic pearls that require special attention. Pearls are softer and more porous than gemstones, making them particularly sensitive to chemicals and abrasion.

How to Clean:

  • Wipe each pearl gently with a soft, slightly damp cloth after each wear to remove oils and perspiration.

  • If needed, use a mild soap solution (very diluted) and a soft cloth to gently clean the pearls. Do not submerge them in water.

  • Allow pearls to air dry completely before storing.

What to Avoid:

  • Never soak pearls in water, as this can weaken the silk thread and damage the nacre.

  • Avoid vinegar, lemon juice, or any acidic substances — they can dissolve the pearl’s surface.

  • Keep pearls away from cosmetics, perfume, and hairspray.

  • Store pearls separately in a soft pouch, away from other jewelry that could scratch them.

Chain and Clasp Care

For necklaces and bracelets with chains — such as the Isk Gold Simple Snake-Shaped Bracelet, Silver Luxury Snake Bracelet, Irregular Twist Bracelet, and Leaf-Shaped Luxury Bracelet — paying attention to the chain and clasp is essential for longevity.

Chain Care Tips:

  • Before cleaning, always close the clasp securely to prevent tangling.

  • When cleaning chains, use a gentle back-and-forth motion with a soft brush to remove dirt from between links.

  • After cleaning, lay the chain flat on a towel to dry completely before storing.

Clasp Care Tips:

  • Regularly check lobster clasps, fold-over closures, and jump rings for signs of wear or loosening.

  • If a clasp feels stiff, apply a tiny drop of jewelry-safe lubricant (or simply work it gently back and forth) to restore smooth function.

  • If you notice any damage to a clasp, stop wearing the piece and contact BRAXTON COLLEGE for repair advice.

Storage Recommendations

Proper storage is just as important as cleaning. Follow these guidelines to keep your BRAXTON COLLEGE jewelry safe and beautiful:

  • Individual pouches: Store each piece in its original BRAXTON COLLEGE pouch or a soft cloth bag to prevent scratches and tangling.

  • Jewelry box with compartments: If you use a jewelry box, choose one with separate compartments or soft dividers to keep pieces from rubbing against each other.

  • Avoid humidity: Store your jewelry in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and moisture. Bathrooms are not ideal due to humidity.

  • Travel tips: When traveling, use a travel jewelry case or roll each piece in a soft cloth and place it in a secure compartment of your bag.

  • Anti-tarnish strips: For silver pieces, consider placing anti-tarnish strips or chalk in your storage box to absorb moisture and slow tarnishing.

Maintenance Schedule

 
 
Frequency Action
After each wear Wipe with a soft cloth to remove oils and sweat.
Weekly Inspect clasps and settings for any looseness or damage.
Monthly Perform a gentle cleaning using the methods described above for each material type.
Every 6 months Have your pieces professionally inspected — especially for loose stones or worn clasps. BRAXTON COLLEGE offers repair services for pieces purchased from us.

Repair Services

At BRAXTON COLLEGE, we stand behind the quality of our craftsmanship. Should your piece require professional attention — whether it is a broken chain, a loose stone, or a worn clasp — we offer repair services for items purchased from us.

  • Repairs for manufacturing defects are free of charge within the first 6 months of purchase.

  • After 6 months, or for damage caused by normal wear and tear, a reasonable repair fee may apply. We will provide you with a quote before any work begins.

  • To request a repair, please contact us at the email below with a description and clear photos of the issue. Our team will provide you with instructions on how to safely send your piece to our workshop.

Do’s and Don’ts Summary

Do:

  • Put on jewelry after applying makeup, perfume, and lotion.

  • Remove jewelry before swimming, showering, exercising, and sleeping.

  • Wipe pieces gently after each wear.

  • Store each piece separately in a soft pouch or compartment.

  • Clean gently using appropriate methods for each material.

  • Check clasps and settings regularly.

Don’t:

  • Do not wear jewelry in pools, hot tubs, or saltwater.

  • Do not expose pieces to harsh chemicals, bleach, or ammonia.

  • Do not use abrasive cloths, toothpaste, or paper towels for cleaning.

  • Do not soak pearls, zircon, or cubic zirconia pieces in water for extended periods.

  • Do not store pieces in humid areas like bathrooms.

  • Do not pull or yank on chains or clasps.

Our Products and Their Care Needs

Here is a quick reference for caring for each BRAXTON COLLEGE piece:
 
 
Product Material Special Care Tip
Isk Gold Simple Snake-Shaped Bracelet Gold-toned metal Buff with soft cloth; avoid abrasive cleaners
Crystal Silver Serpent Necklace Silver-toned metal Use silver polishing cloth; store in anti-tarnish pouch
Green Colored Zircon Square Necklace Zircon + metal Wipe gently; avoid ultrasonic cleaners
Hollowed-Out Double Heart-Shaped Rose Necklace Rose-gold toned metal Clean with soft cloth; avoid harsh chemicals
Intage Luxury Yellow Emerald-Cut Drop Dangle Earrings Zircon + metal Brush gently around stone; avoid soaking
Irregular Twist Bracelet Silver-toned metal Wipe after each wear; check clasp regularly
Leaf-Shaped Luxury Bracelet Gold-toned metal Buff gently; store separately to prevent scratches
Lucky Four-Leaf Clover Earrings Zircon + metal Clean with soft brush; avoid steam cleaners
Natural Pearl Gold Necklace Gold-toned metal + pearl Wipe pearls with damp cloth; never soak
Pig Nose Style Zirconia Link Bracelet Zirconia + metal Clean links with soft brush; check clasp
Silver Lucky Four-Leaf Clover Necklace Silver-toned metal Use silver cloth; store in dry place
Silver Luxury Snake Bracelet Silver-toned metal Polish regularly to prevent tarnish
Vintage Luxury Gold Halo Cubic Zirconia Stud Earrings Zirconia + gold-toned metal Gentle wipe; avoid ultrasonic cleaners
Vintage Luxury Leaf Teardrop Zircon Drop Earrings Zircon + metal Delicate cleaning; check stone settings
Vintage Luxury Round Halo Zircon Stud Earrings Zircon + metal Soft brush cleaning; store separately

Contact Us

If you have any questions about caring for your BRAXTON COLLEGE jewelry, or if you need repair assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out. We are here to help you keep your pieces beautiful for a lifetime.

BRAXTON COLLEGE
Email: [email protected]
Address: 7411 Rolling Meadow Dr, Richmond, TX 77469

We believe that every piece of BRAXTON COLLEGE jewelry tells a story — and with the right care, that story will continue to shine.