In this guide are some tips and tricks to help you maximize the mileage of each artisanal craft on our marketplace.

We take pride in our artisan's jewellery. This goes beyond our mission of trading fairly to bring positive income flows to our talented artisan partners. It is about treasuring the unseen consciousness embedded in each craft, cherishing its time-honored processes and its intangible heritage.

Often, a good cleaning routine is the key to rejuvenating a piece of jewellery. In this short guide, we highlight some short, natural tips to help your beloved pieces regain its luster.

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General Care Tips

1. Keep your craftsmanship in a box.

This helps your craft avoid exposure to moisture, which can lead to dull marks. An alternative is to keep your pieces in sealed plastic bags or tarnish-resistant pouches.

2. Avoid contact with chemicals.
This even includes products like hand creams or perfumes, which can corrode the metals in our jewellery. Also take your pieces off before a swim, as chlorine found in swimming pools can also damage your craft.

3. Polish lightly and regularly. A regular shine with a soft cotton cloth and soap goes a long way.

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Brass Jewellery Care

Our upcycled brass jewellery range, handcrafted by our artisan partners in Kenya

We prefer to clean our brass pieces the natural way, the same way our artisans polish each piece before it is dispatched to you.

(A) Lemon and a soft, dry cotton towel: Lemon juice works wonders as a natural cleanser.

1. Firstly, cut a wedge of lemon and polish along the brass surface.

2. Then rinse off any residual lemon juice under cold water before drying it with a clean, soft, dry cotton patch. Easy does it.

(B). Vinegar, salt and flour for heavy duty cleaning: If your craft has been through some tough times, opt for a mixture of natural ingredients.

1. Mix a teaspoon of salt, half-cup of vinegar, and some flour to form a smooth paste.

2. Then, apply this paste on the brass jewellery and leave it for 15 minutes to rest.

3. Gently rub the paste off under warm, running tap water.

4. Lastly, dry the jewellery completely with a clean, dry towel before storing it away.

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 Silver Jewellery Care

Old times. The AFGHAN Ring features an 18th century silver coin. You may not want to polish this after all...

Our silver jewellery are all forged from 925 sterling silver, and can be rejuvenated similarly with natural materials.

(A) Lemon and a soft, dry cotton towel: Lemon juice works wonders as a natural cleanser.

1. Firstly, cut a wedge of lemon and polish along the silver surface.

2. Then rinse off any residual lemon juice under cold water before drying it with a clean, soft, dry cotton patch. Easy does it.

(B). Baking soda and salt for heavy duty cleaning: If your craft has been through some tough times, opt for a mixture of these natural ingredients.

1. Line a glass bowl with aluminium foil (shiny side facing outwards).

2. Add a tablespoon of baking soda and a tablespoon of salt to the bowl, and then pour in small amounts of hot water to dissolve the powder.

3. Fully submerge the silver jewellery into the solutions for a few minutes, until black and yellow flakes start to float away from the jewellery.

4. Once all is done, remove the jewellery carefully, and wipe gently with a cotton towel.

5. Lastly, rinse the silver jewellery under warm running water, dry completely using a clean cloth, and store it away from moisture.

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 Stones, Semi-Precious Gems, and Beads

Lapis lazuli, one of Afghanistan's richest local minerals, features heavily in our Afghanistan collection series

Our gemstones and semi-precious stones like amethyst, moonstones, and lapis lazuli should be handled with care. These stones are delicate, and some may be corroded by salt water, chlorine, or household cleaning products.

Distilled water: Use only distilled water to give your gemstones a good shine, with a soft cotton cloth to dry and wipe off dirt and residue off the stones.

Cleaning beads: A sparing spritz of alcohol can be used to clean most glass beads items, until they're clean and shiny.

Wood and bones: Crafts utilising wood or bones should not be cleansed with water or any liquid, as they are porous. Simply use a soft, dry polishing cloth to rub the surface and restore its shine.

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Made slow, to last long.

That's one of our philosophies at Artisan & Fox. 

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Our hand-forged rainbow moonstone rings from the Himalayas

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Every handcrafted piece of jewellery is unique, and within each piece is embedded with an extraordinary story of its maker.

We hope this guide has been useful in helping you learn how to preserve the beauty and functionality of your favorite crafts.

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