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One of the things we love most about what we do at O&P is that we get to design jewelry for you (and us) that makes you shine! Unlike fine jewelry that's made with materials like gold, platinum, diamonds and gemstones that can cost a fortune, fashion jewelry is crafted with more common components like plated metals, semi-precious stones, beads, and glass, making it more affordable and guilt-free. ;) These materials are used as alternatives to create a similar look and style to fine jewelry without the high cost of real gold and diamonds. Your fashion jewelry likely won't last forever, but you can minimize signs of wear and extend their longevity by properly caring for them and choosing well crafted pieces. So Why Does Fashion Jewelry Tarnish? The truth is, ALL fashion jewelry necklaces, earrings or bracelets are capable of tarnishing - and some faster than others. Why? It's simple - over time, your jewelry comes in contact with moisture, acids, oils and air. They react with the metal in the jewelry, causing it to eventually wear down and tarnish. Have you ever left sterling silver out and noticed it's become a dark tone? That's from the metal reacting to moisture and sulfur in the air. Even vermeil, 10k-18k gold plated and gold-filled jewelry are not resistant to tarnishing. They'll eventually show signs of wear, but are likely to hold up better than jewelry not plated this way. How quickly jewelry tarnishes depends on a number of factors - the way you care for them, your skin composition, the air around you and the processes and materials used to make them. We have a few tips on how to keep jewelry from tarnishing that we'll get to! And Why Does Some Jewelry Turn My Skin Green? Have you ever worn a ring on your finger and taken it off to reveal a magical green stain underneath? Most of us probably have! This green ring is caused by the acids on your skin oxidizing the metal. Whether or not this happens to you and to what extent will vary based on your body chemistry. But if you see green, don't fret - it's not harmful to you and doesn't mean your jewels are unsafe. This happens often with pieces made from copper, but even silver and gold metals can cause discoloration too.

Ways To Keep Your Jewelry From Tarnishing You might not be able to control the air around you or the skin you live in, but you can control the way you take care of your jewelry! Here are ways on how to keep costume jewelry from tarnishing. 1. KEEP IT DRY The fastest way to tarnish your jewelry is by contact with moisture and liquids. This includes putting on lotions, washing your hands, a spritz of perfume, and sweating with your jewels on. Even the oils on your skin can wear down the plating and metals over time - and this will again vary from person to person. Get your jewels wet by accident? Be sure to wipe and dry them off right away! 2. STORE IT PROPERLY Listen up, 'cause this one's important! Because exposure to the simplest things like the moisture in the air can wear down your jewels, it's important to store them properly. All of the jewels you receive from us come with a velvet bag - use this to keep your jewels protected from the sun and safe from scratches and chips. Take it up a level by storing your jewels in a Ziploc bag - but you'll want to make sure you get rid of as much air as possible before sealing it. With the air removed, the metal won't be able to oxidize from the air. Super keen on keeping your favorite pieces in tip top shape? Get some 3M anti-tarnish strips. These super absorbent pieces of paper will basically suck all of the culprits in the surrounding air that will cause your jewelry to tarnish over time. Stick one in your jewelry drawer, jewelry box or storage pouch. 3. TRY A JEWELRY PROTECTANT SPRAY Give your jewelry a protective shield to fight the elements that contribute to tarnishing. Not only can it protect your favorite pieces longer, but some sprays can also protect you from allergies like irritation, rashes and hives, that our extra sensitive girls get to costume jewelry! We use Tarnish Me Not on our personal jewelry collection (including crystals!) to keep them newer longer and to shield against irritation. It's also 100% hypoallergenic and cruelty-free. 4. GIVE IT A BREAK Treat your jewelry with love and care, and they'll keep sparkling for you for a long time! I know what you're thinking - this is a LOT of work for your jewels. And hey, most of us won't go past keeping your jewelry dry and storing them in your velvet pouches and that's okay. But if there's a particular piece that you're absolutely in love with and want to have for a long time, you know the steps you can take to keep it in the best condition! A last tip - at the end of the day, fashion jewelry is prone to tarnishing. If this is something you're particularly concerned with, choosing pieces that are plated with karat gold, rhodium, vermeil, gold-filled and higher end fashion jewelry (that may come at a premium) will help extend its life. Alternatively, you can always invest in fine jewelry for classic, staple pieces. Choose the right jewels and take proper care of them!

If you're anything like us, you've started quite the jewelry collection! While we're all quarantining and spending extra time at home these days, you might find yourself doing some spring cleaning. We've brainstormed some ways that you can organize all of your special gems and jewelry -- keeping them neatly sorted while showing them off. A good ol' jewelry box is a great way to store your precious sparkles! They make it easy to keep your pieces organized in a compact space, while still being functional. Jewelry boxes come in almost any size or style, so no matter the size of your own collection there's one that'll work for you. Some jewelry boxes also have stackable compartments, so you can add more space as your collection grows. We love a jewelry box with hooks for a convenient way to store your necklaces and chains without worrying about them getting tangled. Especially as we continue to create more everyday o+p necklaces, these hooks are an absolute must for us! If you prefer to keep your jewels stored away and lowkey, and your counter space uncluttered and minimalistic, then keeping your gems in a drawer organizer may be the way to go. Depending on your jewelry collection - cuff bracelets, delicate pendants, dangle earrings, etc. there are many different types of drawer inserts you can find online. Make space for every piece so you can easily see everything you have - this makes accessorizing much easier. Tip: Using drawer organizers can also be a good way to store your sunglasses! Time to shine! If you prefer to show off your crystals and totally let them sparkle, a wall or vanity counter -top display may be the route for you! Next time you're in a decor or furniture store, see if they have any beautiful jewelry displays or little trays you can use to put your jewelry on. Necklace busts and vintage bottles are a chic way to display your necklaces, as well as repurposed candle vessels! If you find yourself always scrambling to pack your pretty pieces for your next adventure, a travel jewelry case is a good way to keep your jewels safe and organized as they patiently wait for their vacay debut! Most compact travel cases also have little compartments that you can use to hold things like lip gloss, hair ties, vitamins and other little necessities - this is perfect for carrying around in your handbag as a multipurpose pouch. Looking for a fun DIY project? Get crafty and out your hammer! There are many fun ways you can craft up a jewelry organizer, just the way you like. For a cool and naturesque way to hang your necklaces, take a trip to the beach and scout out a cool piece of driftwood. Then, just attach knobs and hooks!If a paintbrush is more your speed, find any unique, twisty tree branch and your favorite color paint. Paint the branch however you like, and secure it to any type of pot or vase. Tip: For a modern look try using a gold or silver chrome paint! For an easy do-it-yourself jewelry stand that is perfect for your bracelets (and looks great on your vanity), we love this video tutorial! You will need a few different materials: a candle holder, wooden dowel, and hot glue or super glue. Glue the wooden dowel to the center of the candle holder. You can easily spruce up the stand with paint or any extra decorations for a more personalized finishing touch! As an alternative, you can also create this using a paper towel roll, and magazines! Get creative! You may have the perfect jewelry organizer in your home already, you just don't know it yet ;)Vintage teacups may be the perfect little babies to store your favorite rings and little things! Here's how some of the olive + piper team organize their jewelry at home! "I keep good jewelry boxes & bags and store pieces in there when I can. The big box has foam with slits so I store rings and earrings there. Chain necklaces and bracelets are kept in jewelry pouches and in a larger pouch to keep organized. I keep earring backings in a pouch as I always lose them." Have some hold homewares lying around? If you have a cheese grater, paint it your favorite color (we recommend white!) and use it to store your drop earrings for a shabby chic look. What about a tiered cake stand that only makes an appearance on special occasions? These are perfect to be on display year round to showcase your beautiful jeweled goodies!This is one of the most important questions we get! All fashion jewelry may tarnish over time, but there are a lot of things you can do to keep your jewelry shiny and good as new! This all comes down to how you care for your pieces! We always recommend storing your jewelry in environments that are cool and dry (avoid the steamy bathroom!), and always make sure you remove your jewelry before showering or working out. Be mindful when applying perfumes, lotions, and sunscreens. To be safe it is always good to put your jewelry as the last step of your morning routine! It may not be glamorous, but if you are worried about your fashion jewelry pieces tarnishing, we recommend storing each piece in a Ziploc bag! Without being exposed to the air, your pieces will not oxidize over time. We also carry an amazing protective spray called Tarnish Me Not, which is designed to prolong the life of your pieces, as well as protect your skin from any irritation you may experience if you are sensitive to various metals! Clean your pieces and do a quick spray over top of them. Let them air dry, and you're ready to shine! For more details, read our post:How to Keep Your Jewelry from Tarnishing