We often get asked why we choose to make the majority of our jewellery from recycled brass, and the simple answer is because it is so much more sustainable than other alternatives on the market! Fast fashion jewellery is often made using virgin metals, plastic and unethical gold or silver plating, all of which have their own detrimental effects. Both silver and gold can be unethical and unsustainable, with much of it being mined by men, women and children in impoverished areas and in unsafe conditions. Mining is an invasive and dangerous process which can cause damage to local communities and ecosystems. For all of our jewellery collections, we use recycled brass and aluminium, utilising these surplus materials from several industries to ensure our efforts towards zero waste. Brass is an incredible, sustainable metal that polishes up to look just like high-shine gold. Brass is one of the most recycled metals in the world, and is significantly more energy efficient to recycle. Brass can be recycled many times over without diminishing the composition so it means that the recycling process can continue time and time again.
Another one of our favourite reasons for using recycled brass to make our jewellery is because it is so easy to take care of! Here is our ultimate guide to looking after your brass & aluminium jewellery so that it always looks it's best;
Wearing & Storage
- Don’t wear your jewellery in the shower or when you go swimming. Water can be very harsh on metals and causes your jewellery to tarnish more quickly. We suggest removing your jewellery before bathing, washing your hands or going swimming.
- Never spray perfumes directly onto your jewellery as this will make it tarnish faster. Also avoid direct contact with any lotions or creams.
- Avoid storing brass and aluminium jewellery in the bathroom or in humid environments. Humidity is bad for metals and will cause them to tarnish.
- To store your jewellery, we suggest wrapping each piece in soft fabric and storing in an airtight bag. This will help to prevent scratches, dents and tarnishing. Our Block Printed Pouches are perfect for storing your pieces in as they are lightly padded.
Cleaning Your Jewellery
- After several uses our recycled brass jewellery will start to tarnish slightly. Some prefer the brass when it becomes darker and more earthy. However you may prefer to restore your jewellery to its original polished gold tone.
- The best way to polish your jewellery is to use a brass polish, we suggest Brasso (always follow the instructions on the bottle). If you prefer a more natural alternative, cover half a lemon in salt and rub over your jewellery until you see the tarnish start to lift, rinse well and polish dry with a soft cloth.
- Do not use any products that contain high concentrations of alcohol as this can ruin the finish of your jewellery.
- If your jewellery is heavily tarnished, you can use a mix of baking soda, lemon juice and water for a more intensive treatment. Scrub it on with a soft cloth, wipe off, and dry.
- Always make sure to wipe off with water and dry your jewellery completely after cleaning.
- After cleaning, you can buff your jewellery with a soft cloth to give it an even shinier finish.