Over time any piece of silver jewellery will tarnish because of one simple reason, air. Silver jewellery of a good quality, including our jewellery are made of 92.5% silver and 7.5% other metals. However our products do not contain nickel. Included in these metals is copper, which reacts with moisture and sulfur in the air, causing the tarnish.
When this happens there are a number of simple ways to clean silver jewellery, making it look as good as new.
View our koala charm here
For less severe tarnish a polishing cloth is a great way to get your silver jewellery shiny again.
You can use specifically designed silver cloths for this or lint-free flannel, microfiber, or other soft non abrasive cloth will work just as well and won’t scratch the jewellery.
Simply, rub the product in large back and forth motions with the cloth, avoid circular motions as well as not using the same section of cloth, to stop the tarnish from transferring back onto your jewellery.
If you’ve tried polishing your jewellery and it didn't remove all the tarnish, there are a number of easy home cleaners that will do the job.
Wiki How, 2020
Baking soda and Aluminium - Line a dish with aluminum foil, then place the jewellery in the dish, making sure it’s touching the aluminum foil, after that just add 1 tablespoon of baking soda per cup of water to the dish and let it sit for 10 minutes
Soap and water - Mix a few drops of dish soap with warm water. Dip one of the soft cloths mentioned above and rub the jewellery in those back and forth motions
Baking soda paste - Mix three parts baking soda to one part water, wet the silver and apply the paste to the jewellery using a gentle cloth
There are a number of preventive measures to stop our silver jewellery tarnishing quickly.
Avoid contact with harsh chemicals including hairsprays, perfumes, as well as household cleaning products. You should remove them whilst using these products, or make sure your jewellery is the last thing you put on in the morning, before you’re out the door. Saltwater and chlorine can also affect the silver, so avoid wearing when swimming.
Direct sunlight can also cause the jewellery to tarnish, so avoid wearing it when exposed to increased sunlight, including when you’re sunbaking, swimming or spending long periods of time outside in the sun.
Friction causes tarnishing, so believe it or not the more often you wear your jewellery, the shinier it will be.
It is also recommended to store jewellery in an anti tarnish bag or acid free tissue paper or cloth in a dry place. A lot of materials contain a mild acid, this turns sterling silver and gold black over time. Plastic bags that aren't jewellery bags, also have the same issue.
Mikayla Burrell
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Many people believe that the symbol of a cross and the crucifixes are the same when worn on a necklace or bracelet, however, in the world of fashion and jewelry, this is very untrue.
Despite their similar appearance of a T - shaped design, the Crucifix, and the Cross designed jewellery are very different in their detail and significance.
The Cross as a symbol
Throughout history, the symbol of the cross was used to resemble the crucifixion of Christ as a sign of religion, triumph, and faith.
It also became the universal symbol of Christian faith no matter the denomination (Catholic, Protestant, Anglican, Church of England, Orthodox, etc.)
This led to its growth in popularity among Christians wearing crosses to show off their faith, as well for personalization gifts and jewellery such as birthstones, pearl, and opals on crosses.
The Crucifix
The Crucifix is the display of Jesus Christ's sacrifice for his mankind and is a highly regarded symbol of faith, however, it is not always considered religious jewellery.
This is because the image on the Crucifix has the corpus (Jesus Christ's body). In some countries and cultures, the depiction of Christ's body may also have a more graphic and dramatic image of his suffering as well.
Wearing the Crucifix among the Christian community also varies, among each denomination. For example, whilst Catholics display the Crucifix in their churches and often wear Crucifix's or carry them for prayer and protection, people of the Protestant faith wear a plain cross.
The Cross
Wearing a plain T-shaped cross without the body of Christ can be both a symbol of Christianity and Christian faith or just a symbol used in fashion trends.
This also means that not everyone wearing the cross symbol as a charm on a necklace or bracelet is a follower of the Christian faith.
Cross is one of the most popular symbol icons in modern fashion trends and culture. Many subcultures have also incorporated the cross symbol, such as the Goth Subculture whose outfits trend to feature black crosses in their jewellery.
Rock Stars and Musicians have also worn crosses to display their devotion or controversy. Satanist have worn crosses flipped upside down to also show their disbelief in Christianity.
Many people in the fashion industry such as designers, also believe that wearing a cross matches all types of outfits. This us why what once a symbol of religion is now mass-produced for fashion trends through different variations.
In today's world, people continue to wear crucifixes and cross to display their religious beliefs but also as a way of self-expression and style, irrespective of their faiths.
Written by Shantelle-Ann Marquis
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Cross jewellery is used as a symbol of faith, hope, and love among Christians. It’s a popular gift, suitable for many religious events and holidays.
According to old Christian traditions, it was the Godparents of a child that gave them their first Cross during the child's baptism in the church.
Within the Christian faith, it is common for people to present younger relatives and friends with the gift of Cross jewellery for varies celebrations.
Receiving Cross jewellery as a gift is believed to be a good sign symbolizing a person's love and affection, as well as a transfer of power and life experiences being passed down.
But in today's society, it is often deemed acceptable to purchase a cross for loved ones, even if they are of no relation to you.
Giving Cross jewellery to someone else can be viewed as a gesture of goodwill, so it is important to present the gift with kind intentions, as superstitious people believe that any ill intentions can cause bad luck.
Did you know?
It is bad luck to pick up a cross on the floor if it isn't yours or wear someone else's cross.
It is also bad luck to pass on a cross that is second hand or belonged to you or someone else previously.
This is because of an old belief, that a person's sins and bad luck are carried in their cross and could be passed on to the new wearer if they chose to wear it.
Purchasing Cross jewellery for someone dear to you can be an act of great love and kindness, however, it is also important to consider a person's religious and personal views before presenting them with a gift.
Some people may feel offended or question your motives whether your intentions are good.
Written by Shantelle-Ann Marquis
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The origins and historical timeline of charms and charm bracelets vary from different nations and cultures, and therefore, impossible to determine an exact date that the charm bracelet came to be. Here is a brief timeline of the history of charm bracelets as dictated by historians and archeologists.
Neolithic Era
It is believed that charm bracelets originate as far as the Prehistoric - Neolithic Era, in which people would carry pieces of wood, animal bones, rocks, seashells, and gemstones to ward off their enemies and evil spirits or bring them good luck.
Historians suggest that they were later carved and crafted into talismans and amulets.
Such ancient charms have been discovered in Africa, Europe and other parts of the world but they weren't always worn on the wrist as bracelets -some were worn as protective necklaces, or carried in pouches or the persons clothing.
Ancient Egypt
There is some archaeological evidence that shows Ancient Egyptian Pharaohs were buried wearing elaborate jewellery which included charms and charm bracelets embedded with rare and precious stones.
It is believed that due to short life expectancy up to 30-40 years, the ancient Egyptians took great care preparing for their afterlife, obsessively gathering goods made of gold, gems and other precious materials.
Charm bracelets played a significant role in the preparation for the afterlife and were worn on the neck or wrist as a sign of status and protection. They were also used as identification tags that assisted their Gods to guide the wearer of the charm to their proper status and possessions in the afterlife.
Ancient Assyria, Babylon, and Persia
Archaeologists discovered evidence of charm bracelets worn in Ancient Assyria, Babylon, and Persia in as early as 600-400BC. The bracelets had tiny charms and were attached around the wrist using leather cords.
Roman Empire
It was the early Christians during the Roman Empire that first began wearing symbols on their charms. As many were afraid of being prosecuted for their Christian faith, the early Christians carried small charms in the shape of a fish. The fish charm was used as the Greek word for fish “Ichthys" was an acronym for “Ἰησοῦς Χριστός, Θεοῦ Υἱός, Σωτήρ” which means "Jesus Christ, Son of God, Saviour". The fish charm was worn under their clothes
View our angel fish charm View our marlin charm
To identify themselves to other Christians such as to gain entry into secret and forbidden worship activities, the early Christians either drew a fish symbol on the ground with their foot or displayed their fish charm worn under their garments.
During this time, the Jewish people also wore small charms around their necks as an act of reverence, piety and keeping their law close to their hearts. These Jewish charms were in the form of golden amulets that held tiny slips of Jewish Law written on parchment.
Greek Empire
Similar to the people in the Roman Empire, the Greeks also wore charms, for superstition and respect for the gods. The Greek charms were lockets that held important information, as it was believed to be held close to the heart and mind so that the body would better absorb the information.
Men going to war often carried locks of their wife's hair and other trinkets as a reminder and to wish them good luck. Middle Ages
People continued to wear charms during the Dark Ages despite the fall of the Roman Empire. In Medieval times, people wore charms on their belts to represent their family origin, religion and to denote their political standing or alliance to a specific ruler. Knights also wore charms under their armor to keep them safe in battle, as the charms were used with incantations to wreak havoc on the enemies.
The Renaissance
The wealthy people began to lose interest in charm bracelets during the Renaissance as people turned to literature and the medieval superstitions faded away.
However, the lower classes of people continued to wear charms and amulets as they were not given the same if any, access to education as the wealthy.
20th century
During the early 20th century, Queen Victoria the ruler of Great Britain inspired the wealthy elite class of Europe to wear charm bracelets. The Queen not only loved to wear them herself, but she also loved to give personalized charm bracelets as gifts to others.
When her husband Prince Albert passed away, the Queen had a 'mourning' charm bracelet made with a locket of the prince's hair and mementos of their life together.
Charms went from being symbols of spiritual and superstitious meaning to pieces of jewellery fashion, and people throughout Europe could not get enough of it. Charms bracelets and necklaces were worn as lockets, glass beads, and family crest, as the wealthier class wanted to show off their fortune by wearing exotic clothing and fashion accessories.
Tiffany and Co
Tiffany and Co, the high-end jewellery store first introduced their iconic charm bracelet in 1889. Some believe it was a response to the popularity of Queen Victoria charm bracelets. The Iconic charm bracelet with a dainty heart-shaped charm instantly became a symbol of status and luxury and has remained that way ever since.
The Great Depression
Despite the economic hardship faced by many during the Great Depression, the charm bracelet remained a popular jewellery accessory. The wealthy of the time had charm bracelets made from diamond platinum and gemstone charms. The average classed people also wore charms made from broken jewellery items, hand-carved trinkets, or found objects.
World War II
Wearing charms with sentimental value became popular during World War II, as soldiers collected trinkets as a reminder of men they knew, the women they loved, and their time in battle. These charms were reminders of happier times, with friends and families for many soldiers and their families waiting at home as it captured their emotions and their memories.
The end of WWII
The popularity of charm bracelets spread throughout the world after the Second World War as soldiers leaving Europe and islands in the Pacific purchased handmade trinkets as gifts to bring home to their sweethearts. Native craftsmen also created replicas of local items as souvenirs so that soldiers could feel better connected to the places they were stationed. This later sparked a trend in the USA to create charms for all occasions.
The 1940s.
Children became the new charm collectors during the 1940s, as charms were often used as prizes in gumball machines and candy boxes. Children collected the jungle and pet animal, sports, ships, army themed charms and wore them on necklaces of strip and bead chains like dog tags. This began a trend in commercially produced charms based on comic strips such as Popeye, Betty Boop, Mickey Mouse, the Seven Dwarfs, and Orphan Annie.
View our Bulldog charm View our tennis racket charm
The 1950s to 1960s
Charm bracelet gained popularity throughout the 1950s and 1960s, and became a staple jewellery piece for girls and women, as they mixed and matched their collected charms daily to express moods and thoughts.
Charms also became popular presents for a girl's 16th or 18th birthday or as a wedding or engagement present. Women also collected charms to record important life events such as birthdays, achievements, graduations, weddings, travel, hobbies and the arrival of children.
It was also a popular jewellery accessory among movie stars such as Joan Crawford and Elizabeth Taylor who were often seen wearing charm bracelets.
The 1970s
People stopped wearing Charm bracelets during 1970, and charm bracelets themselves had completely disappeared from the fashion scene as people turned to wear plain gold chains as a symbol of their wealth and status. Once loved charms soon found their way in antique stores and flea markets.
The 1990s
The 1990s saw a boom of charm bracelets in circulation, including that of vintage charms when people were now snapping up at antique stores.
The prices of charm bracelets had also increased from $10 in the 1950s to $70 and over. Limited edition and vintage mechanical charms (charms with moving parts) were also listed as highly prized by antique collectors and sparked a trend of people trying to sell their bargain found and inherited charms on the internet.
The 1990s also introduced an Italian designed charm bracelet known as a 'link bracelet' as it was a series of linked, squares on a stretchy band. This allowed the wearer to replace the links with personalized charms such that of as the traditional, flat and dangling styles.
The 2000s
Following the boom of charm bracelets, the 2000s saw a further increase in the production of charm bracelets.
Highend Luxury brand Louis Vuitton declared charm bracelets a must-have jewelry accessory and through Marc Jacobs launched their own charm bracelet designs.
Pandora, Danish Jewellery brand launched their first-ever charm bracelets in the early 2000s, however, the brand did not reach its highest sales until the early 2010s.
The Pandora charms offered a unique twist on the traditional personal charm bracelet with round-shaped charms threaded on a circular wire bracelet.
Present Day
Today charms and trinkets on bracelets and necklaces are still sought after all over the world. Many celebrities and influencers have also used charm bracelets to promote charities, religions, travel destinations, fashion, and jewellery brands as well as to keep souvenirs of their happiest and sentimental memories.
View our Eiffel Tower charm View our Thong/Flipflop charm
Written by Shantelle-Ann Marquis
]]>Harbour Bridge
Sydney Harbour Bridge is one of the most well-known landmarks in Australia. It is the sixth-longest spanning-arch bridge in the world and the tallest steel arch bridge. This bridge measures 134 meters (440 feet) from the top to the water level. It was inaugurated on March 19, 1932. It took 1,400 men eight years to build this bridge.
The total cost of construction was 4.2 million dollars. During the construction a total of 16 fatalities occurred. Due to its distinctive arch shape, the bridge has got a nickname ‘Coat Hanger’.
The initial three coats on the bridge required 272,000 liters of paint.
Sydney Harbour Bridge carries all kinds of traffic including rail, vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians.
Opera House
The Sydney Opera house was designed by a Danish architect named Jørn Utzon after he won a worldwide competition.
The structure was built on a large slab of granite and completed in 1973 after 16 years of construction. The large points are covered white tiles, and although they were meant to look like shells most people think they look like ship sails. The Opera House was so expensive to create that many Australians protested against the construction.
Inside the Opera house is the main Concert Hall that holds over 2500 people, and performances by symphonies, choirs, ballets, musicals, and Opera Theatre. There is also a reception hall, restaurants, an art venue and museum displayed famous artwork, paintings, and sculptures.
Melbourne Trams
The Melbourne tramway network is a major form of public transport in the CBD and surrounding city areas of Melbourne and has been operating since 1884. Located in the capital city of the state of Victoria Australia, it is the largest urban tramway network in the world, with 250 kilometres of track, 493 trams, 25 routes, and 1,763 tram stops. Trams are the second most used form of public transport in Melbourne with a total of 203.8 million passenger trips in 2015-16.
Ned Kelly
Ned Kelly is an iconic Australian outlaw who was made famous for the homemade armor he wore alongside his gang, which was made from metal taken from agricultural equipment. Born of Irish to a convict father who was transported to Australia for the theft of two pigs, Kelly believed his family has been victimized by the law for their Catholic Faith. As a child, Kelly was celebrated for saving the life of another drowning child, however, his brush with the law began when he beat and robbed a Chinese Worker. This sparked a series of crime, murder, and gang-related activity. The legend of Ned Kelly continues to live on, however, the nation is divided on whether he is recognized as a folk hero or a criminal.
Australian Flag
The flag of Australia is a defaced blue ensign with the Union Jack located in the upper left side corner, and a large white seven-pointed star known as the Commonwealth Star in the lower hoist quarter. The flag represents the Southern Cross constellation which consists of five white stars – one small five-pointed star and four, larger, seven-pointed stars.
Kangaroo
The most famous of the Australian animals, the kangaroo is on our national emblem and is also the symbol of the Australian Airline Qantas. There are four different kangaroo species, eastern grey kangaroo, western grey kangaroo, antilopine kangaroo and the red kangaroo which is the largest marsupial in the world. Travelling in groups known as ‘mobs’, ‘troops’ or ‘courts’, kangaroos can hop on two legs or walk on all four, they can swim and jump really high but they cannot walk backward.
Koala
People always think of the cute cuddly koala bear when they think of Australian animals. but did you know that koalas aren't born at all?!
Koalas are marsupials which means they are mammals that carry their young known as joeys in a pouch just like kangaroos. These fragile animals predominately live in the Eucalyptus forests along the eastern coastline of Australia, where they can eat eucalyptus leaves and sleep for up to 20 hours a day.
Emu
The emu is the tallest bird in Australia, with a height of up to 2 m/6.5 ft. Emus can run fast but they cannot fly. Emus likes to eat grass, leaves, fruits, and insects but if you disturb them they will use powerful kicks to defend themselves.
Crocodile
Crocodiles - the famous and highly dangerous Australian Reptile. Popular for Crocodile Dundee and the Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin, Australia has two species of crocodiles that live on our continent.
View our Moving Crocodile Charm
Written by Shantelle-Ann Marquis
]]>Kangaroo
The most famous of the Australian animals, the kangaroo is on our national emblem and is also the symbol of the Australian Airline Qantas. There are four different kangaroo species, eastern grey kangaroo, western grey kangaroo, antilopine kangaroo and the red kangaroo which is the largest marsupial in the world. Travelling in groups known as ‘mobs’, ‘troops’ or ‘courts’, kangaroos can hop on two legs or walk on all four, they can swim and jump really high but they cannot walk backward.
View our Jumping Kangaroo Charm
Koala
People always think of the cute cuddly koala bear when they think of Australian animals. but did you know that koalas aren't born at all?!
Koalas are marsupials which means they are mammals that carry their young known as joeys in a pouch just like kangaroos. These fragile animals predominately live in the eucalypts forests along the eastern coastline of Australia, where they can eat eucalyptus leaves and sleep for up to 20 hours a day.
Kookaburra
Kookaburras are an Australian bird that is known for their loud laughs that make them easily heard and sound like human chuckles. Kookaburras are the largest member of the kingfisher family in the world and are found in the woodland areas throughout Australia and New Guinea.
Platypus
The Platypus is a furry animal with a tail like a beaver and a bill and webbed feet like a duck. platypi are very shy animals and they quickly hide underwater if you go too close. But don't be fooled by this cute animal, they have a poison in their hind legs that is so strong it can kill a dog.
View our Swimming Platypus Charm
Crocodile
Crocodiles - the famous and highly dangerous Australian Reptile. Popular for Crocodile Dundee and the Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin, Australia has two species of crocodiles that live on our continent.
View our Moving Crocodile charm
Emu
The emu is the tallest bird in Australia, with a height of up to 2 m/6.5 ft. Emus can run fast but they cannot fly. Emus likes to eat grass, leaves, fruits, and insects but if you disturb them they will use powerful kicks to defend themselves.
Wombat
The wombat is very heavy, up to 36 kg burrowing animals. They are often found feeding on grasses, tips of shrubs and bushes near the Blue Mountains in Sydney.
Echidna
The Echidna is an Australian animal that has a prickly coat with spikes like a hedgehog and a long sticky tongue to eat mainly insects. When they are frightened the Echidna rolls itself into a ball to protect themselves from danger.
Written by Shantelle-Ann Marquis
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