Caring for Vintage

Please note that all of the jewelry under St. Eloi Vintage is estate, vintage, or antique, and as such should be expected to have some wear and tear commensurate with each piece's age. All of the jewelry we sell is ready to wear, and should be worn and loved, but it is important to be aware that older pieces are more delicate and not all of them are necessarily appropriate for wear every day or through every activity.

New pieces in our St. Eloi Collection are crafted just for you and are in brand-new condition, however, our best practices for care remain largely the same as with vintage in order to prolong the life of your jewelry.

Please care for your jewelry by removing it before vigorous or hand-related physical activity (such as sports, going to the gym, or gardening), and before chores (such as cooking, cleaning, dishwashing, and laundry.) We do not recommend wearing your jewelry while bathing or swimming. Some chemicals in particular, such as bleach, chlorine, and alcohol, as well as ingredients in hair products, cosmetics, and perfumes can cause irreparable damage to your jewelry. We find a good rule of thumb is that your jewelry should be the last thing you put on when you're getting ready for the day, and the first thing you take off.

Porous stones (like opals, pearls, and turquoise) should avoid prolonged submersion in water and closed-back stone settings should always be kept dry. We love to keep little dishes for rings next to our sinks, and remember to slip your rings into your pockets when you're washing your hands in public so you don't leave your precious pieces behind!

Hard stones such as diamonds and sapphires are great for everyday wear, but aren't immune to chips or breakage if they suffer a blow, and older prong settings and bands can wear away over time as well, so even these relatively durable pieces should be treated like the special treasures they are.

To clean your jewelry, we recommend a soft cloth and a dry extra-soft bristled toothbrush for pieces that can't get wet, and that extra-soft toothbrush with a little warm water and gentle soap (and a closed drain!) for pieces that can. A soft dry t-shirt is better than a towel for patting dry, so that the loops in the cloth are less likely to tug at stone settings.

If you have any questions about care and maintenance, please feel free to ask.