How to keep your Calathea Collective pieces looking their best.
Tarnish Prevention
The best way to prevent tarnish is to limit contact with moisture and chemicals before it starts. Remove your jewelry before washing your hands, showering, swimming, or doing dishes. Sweat can also accelerate wear — take pieces off during workouts. When you're not wearing them, store your jewelry in a dry, cool place away from direct sunlight.
Water & Perfume Exposure
Apply perfume, hairspray, and lotions first — then put on your jewelry. These products contain alcohol and oils that can dull finishes, weaken stretch cord, and cloud beads over time. Keep all pieces away from chlorinated pool water and saltwater. Even brief exposure can degrade coatings, soften adhesives on enamel charms, and cause bead surfaces to lose their sheen.
Storage
Store each piece separately to prevent scratching — a small zip pouch, soft cloth bag, or a jewelry box works perfectly. Avoid tossing bracelets into a loose pile where beads and charms can knock against each other. For stacked bracelet sets, a small divided tray or individual compartment keeps everything organized and scratch-free. Keep jewelry away from humidity (bathroom storage is not ideal for long-term keeping).
Cleaning by Material
316L Stainless Steel
Wipe with a soft, dry, lint-free cloth after each wear to remove skin oils and fingerprints. For light cleaning, dampen the cloth slightly with plain water, wipe, then dry immediately and thoroughly. The PVD coating on gold and silver colorways is durable but not indestructible — avoid abrasive cloths or chemical cleaners. The engraved detail will stay crisp as long as you keep it dry.
Glass & Crystal Beads
Wipe gently with a soft, slightly damp cloth. Do not soak or submerge — the stretch cord running through beaded bracelets can weaken with prolonged water exposure, and soaking can loosen beads over time. Pat dry fully before storing.
Acrylic Beads & Charms
Wipe with a dry or very slightly damp soft cloth. Acrylic is sensitive to solvents — never use alcohol wipes, nail polish remover, or strong household cleaners on acrylic pieces. Avoid leaving acrylic jewelry in hot cars or direct sun for extended periods, as heat can warp or dull the surface.
Faux Pearls
Faux pearls are among the most delicate finishes in your collection. Wipe them last, after taking the piece off — skin oils can actually help maintain their luster when wiped away regularly. Use only a soft dry cloth; water and cleaning products can damage the pearl coating. Never soak.
Gold Enamel Charms
Enamel charms are finished with a painted or fired coating over metal. Wipe with a soft, dry cloth. Avoid submerging, ultrasonic cleaners, or harsh chemicals. If the charm feels grimy, a barely damp cotton swab around the edges (not across the enamel face) is safe.
Rhinestone & Jeweled Charms
Rhinestones are set in glued or crimped settings that can loosen with prolonged water exposure. Wipe the surrounding beads and the charm gently with a dry cloth. If you need to clean the rhinestones themselves, a dry, soft-bristled toothbrush used very lightly works well. Keep dry.
Natural Gemstone Beads
Natural stone is porous and can absorb chemicals, perfumes, and dyes. Wipe with a soft dry cloth after wearing. For deeper cleaning, use a very slightly damp cloth and dry immediately. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners, steam, and chemical jewelry dips entirely — these can crack, discolor, or permanently alter natural stone.
Stretch Cord (all beaded stretch bracelets)
The longevity of any stretch bracelet depends on how the cord is treated. Avoid pulling or snapping the bracelet onto your wrist — instead, gently ease it over your hand. Do not soak. Over time, stretch cord naturally relaxes; if you notice significant loosening, contact us about restringing.
Before Gifting
All pieces arrive packaged and ready to gift. If you're gifting a stainless steel piece (like the Endo Warrior Cuff or Heart Necklace), it comes in a white gloss jewelry box with non-tarnish cotton — no extra wrapping needed. For beaded pieces, we recommend keeping them in their original packaging until the moment of gifting.
A small note about sensitivity: our stainless steel pieces are made from 316L surgical-grade steel, which the product descriptions note as suitable for sensitive skin. Our beaded pieces — including glass, acrylic, faux pearl, and gemstone designs — are handmade and the materials have not been independently tested for skin sensitivity. If the recipient has known material sensitivities, we recommend they check the specific product's material details before wearing.
A Note on Handmade Pieces
Every beaded piece in the Calathea Collective is made by hand, which means slight variations in bead placement are part of what makes each one unique. These are not defects — they're signatures. With proper care, your piece should bring you joy for a long time.
Questions about your specific piece? Reach out — we're happy to help.