Jewelry care, locations, and other important questions
Q: What products do you recommend for cleaning jewelry?
A1: Amy Cousin Jewelry is moving closer to being more eco-friendly all the time, including in how jewelry should be cleaned. There are a number of wonderful household products that work just as well as chemical cleaners. A couple of things to take into account before you start cleaning/polishing are 1) the metal(s) used in the piece, and 2) the kinds of gemstones or other materials in the piece.
A2: My overall recommendation is to clean jewelry with a very mild toothpaste (I like Tom’s of Maine) and a soft toothbrush, then rinse thoroughly with warm water and pat dry. This method is not recommended for soft or porous gemstones like Pearls, Opals, Turquoise, Lapis Lazuli, etc. I use a soft polishing cloth with jewelry containing these gems.
A3: Silver Most silver polishing products say they work by removing tarnish (silver sulfide), but they also actually remove silver from your jewelry as well. And a lot of them are harsh and stinky. This baking soda and aluminum foil method not only cleans well but it also converts the silver sulfide back to silver, thus preserving your jewelry. The key to this method is that it works on the area touching the foil, so make sure to move your jewelry around on the foil. Here is a link to the try this method
A4: Copper and Brass: One method I keep hearing about is to gently scrub your copper jewelry with a cut lemon that has been dipped in salt. I haven’t tried this method – mainly because all cut lemons end up in my water bottle – but it sounds interesting if you remember the rule about soft gemstones. My favorite method for cleaning copper is to apply ketchup to a soft cloth and spread on the jewelry. Gently rub then let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing with warm water and drying thoroughly. Again, not recommended for soft gemstones. I’ve heard ketchup works with brass, but I have not tried it myself.
Q: How do I find my ring size?
A: Click here for a guide and printable sizing tool to help you get the right size
Q: Where else can I find ACJ?
A: Amy Cousin Jewelry is sold at several sites online as well as at brick & mortar boutiques.
* Homespun Decor & Gifts – Minneapolis, MN
* Fort Hill Farms – Thompson, CT
* Tictail Marketplace – New York and online
* Handmade At Amazon marketplace page
* Mind Key – New York gallery – opening soon
* Three Sisters Eclectic Arts – St. Paul, MN – pop-up shop tba.
Q: If I like a piece of jewelry on your website, but I want it with different stones, can you do that for me?
A1: Most likely, yes. Some of the pieces listed already have a few gemstone options. Other pieces can be adjusted fairly easily. Drop me a line and we’ll figure it out.
A2: If you’re feeling like a piece would resonate better for you if it had a few different stones, then you’re a great candidate for a custom piece! I love working one-to-one to create the gemstone energy combination that is right for you. Take a look at what others have to say about ACJ. Feel free to contact me at sales(at)amycousinjewelry(dot)com.
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Amy Cousin Jewelry 