Why does jewelry fade? Why does it discolor and stain your skin? Why does it get scratched? How do I get my jewelry back if I took it to the spa? I tried to answer these unfathomable questions and here is an honest guide to jewelry care. Spoiler: No, you don't have to take it to the spa.

What will I talk about in this article?

• Little intro needed
• Why do jewelry wear out? Why do they lose color and stain skin?
• And this applies to all metals?
• Is it normal for jewelry to leave stains on the skin?
• So what? What should I do?
• Golden rules (but also silver ones)

Little intro needed

As you can see on giuzi.it and in many other jewelry shops, the same jewel exists in different colors regardless of the raw material it is made of. The colors you find most often are silver, gold and rose gold. The final color of the jewel cannot be traced back to its original material, if you see a golden jewel it does not necessarily mean it is made of gold, when you see it silver it does not necessarily mean it is made of silver. Often precious materials (gold, silver) and semi-precious materials (bronze, brass) are coated with a color that makes them gold, silver or rose gold. The possibility of having jewels with colored coatings and plating is due to a process that we call galvanic, from the name of its inventor Luigi Galvani. Galvanic is a middle ground in which many different figures pass: it is a chemical process but it is used by goldsmiths, plumbers, mechanics, bodyworkers, engineers and most likely many other professionals who are missing from this list. Jewels are colored if immersed in a galvanic bath (a large tank of chemical compound) and the same can be said for bathroom taps, for chrome car rims, for motorcycle pistons. Let's say that anyone who knows about galvanics, the real kind, is a chemist. Considering that Giuzi is animated by an engineer and a philosopher lent to the world of jewelry, we preferred to inform ourselves and ask those who know something more about galvanics. We spoke with some suppliers who deal exclusively with galvanics and with friends with degrees in chemistry who work in the largest Italian galvanics, everything you will read is the result of their precious and authoritative statements.

Why do jewelry wear out? Why do they lose color and stain skin?

Jewelry can wear out for many reasons but what makes them unpleasant is the change in color, this happens because the jewelry oxidizes. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that changes the state of the jewelry by changing its appearance and color, it is a process that is triggered for different reasons, mainly: air, light, sweat, sea water, sulfur water, creams and perfumes.

And this applies to all metals?

Actually, no, gold, which is the king of precious metals, retains its color for a long time and is less sensitive to substances that cause oxidation. It is difficult for a piece of jewelry made of gold to lose color or leave stains on the skin, and this is also why it is so valuable. Silver is much more sensitive to oxidizing agents.

Is it normal for jewelry to leave stains on the skin?

Sweat on the skin, especially in summer, reacts with the metals the jewel is made of, oxidizing them. Depending on the metal, you get stains of different colors: if copper is involved, you get greenish stains, if silver is involved, black, but stains should never occur in a quality product. A jewel that stains is often made with poor quality raw materials and galvanic compounds. A jewel made with quality materials and soaked in a certified compound does not leave stains.

So what? What should I do?

Let's be clear: it is impossible to prevent your jewelry from coming into contact with air, light, sweat, sea water, sulfur water, creams and perfumes. Those who write that jewelry can always remain perfect, or that they can be recovered after a day at the spa, are lying in 90% of cases. After we have made peace with it and accepted that jewelry changes too (and not just people!), we are ready to stick to the

Golden (and silver) rules

• Rule #1 : Buy quality jewelry from reputable manufacturers or retailers who know the product and can give you technical explanations. Remember that even if you paid an arm and a leg for them and King Midas himself sold them to you, the curse of oxidizing agents will fall on them too.
• Rule #2 : If you want to keep them shiny and healthy, don't take your jewelry to the spa, don't take them to the pool and don't wear them to the beach.
• Rule #3 : Don't pile them up. Store them separated from each other in a dry container, where air and light don't pass through.
• Rule #4 : Change them often, it will help you keep them healthy and avoid some stress.
• Rule #5 : Keep them away from creams and perfumes. If you want to cream or perfume yourself, do it before putting on your favourite jewellery and make sure your skin has completely absorbed the products.
• Rule #6 : If you want to break rules 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 take responsibility and don't cry over spilled plating.

If you still have doubts and perplexities about this, write to us at info@giuzi.it , we will be happy to give you all the honest answers we are capable of.