Caring for Adjustable Jewelry

How to Properly Size Adjustable Jewelry

To ensure your jewelry maintains its shape and durability, it's important to understand how to care for sizeable rings and cuffs. Over-adjusting or frequent resizing can weaken the material, so they should adjust it only when necessary.

1. Use Both Hands for Mutual Pressure:

• When resizing the ring or cuff, hold both sides of the open band gently.

• Apply equal pressure to both sides simultaneously as you widen or narrow the ring. This ensures the adjustment is smooth and prevents uneven stress on the metal.

2. Adjust Gradually:

• Make small adjustments, testing the fit between each step, to avoid over-bending or stressing the ring.

• Never twist or force the metal, as this could distort the shape or weaken the structure.

3. Find the Perfect Fit:

• The ring and/or cuff should feel snug but comfortable, neither pinching the finger nor sliding off easily.

Need wrist and hand measurements? Learn how to size your wrist and hand for cuff and bangle jewelry.

Jewelry Care

Jewelry Care Guide

Silver Jewelry Care (Ciclos):

• Storage: Store silver pieces in a dry, cool place, preferably in an airtight bag or box to minimize oxidation. Keep each piece separate to avoid scratching.

• Cleaning: Use the included polishing pad to gently buff silver surfaces. Avoid polishing areas with a gunmetal or oxidized patina, as excessive polishing can remove this finish.

• Water & Chemicals: Remove silver jewelry before swimming, showering, or using household cleaners, as moisture and chemicals can tarnish or dull the metal over time.

Copper Glass Enamel Care ( Mer De Verre ):

• Storage: Store enameled glass pieces in a cushioned box or soft pouch, away from other jewelry to prevent scratching or chipping. When traveling, keep these items boxed to protect their unique glass surfaces and shapes.

• Polishing: You can gently polish the edges of copper jewelry with a soft polishing pad or cloth to brighten the copper. This will not damage the enamel.

• DIY Cleaning for Copper: To freshen up copper without damaging the enamel, create a gentle cleaning paste using ketchup, water, and baking soda. Apply with fingers or a toothbrush, rinse thoroughly, and dry immediately. Avoid exposing jewelry with pearls or soft stones to water.

• Avoid Salt Water: Copper jewelry should not be worn at the beach or in saltwater, as it can lead to oxidation and affect the enamel.

Sizing Guide - Cuffs and Bangles

This sizing guide chart will help you choose your favorite length necklace for the unique style you are looking for both him and her.

When shopping for bracelets, it is important that you know your correct sizes! Learn the different ways to measure your wrist and fist when finding your perfect bangle and cuff size jewelry!

1. To get your perfect bangle size, start by stretching your thumb to the opposite side of your hand so that it crosses over your palm.

2. To measure the circumference of your hand, wrap tailor’s tape around your knuckles and across your thumb.

3. Record the size and compare that measurement to the hand sizing chart below.

1. To measure the circumference of your wrist wrap tailor’s tape around the smallest part of your wrist, right above your wrist bone.

2. Record the measurement and compare it to the wrist sizing chart below. 

1. To measure the circumference of your wrist wrap tailor’s tape around the smallest part of your wrist, right above your wrist bone.

2. Record the measurement and compare it to the wrist sizing chart below. 

3. After following the Sizing Guide and record your measurement by mark the string with a marker or pen.

4. Lay the length of the string flat next to a ruler to get the size.

5. Compare the length recorded to the appropriate sizing chart which will be found underneath the directions for each jewelry sizing.

The Healing Benefits of Copper

Rising Tide Bangle - Copper, Enamel

As a metalsmith, I always had an affinity for minerals and metals. Since the pandemic, I have been hearing a lot about copper, which drove my interest in learning more about a metal I so love and create jewelry with.  It’s amazing to think that copper, a chemical element symbol Cu, was first discovered 10,000 years ago in what is now northern Iraq and has had healing benefits throughout history.

Copper’s health benefits have been employed by the medicinal field for centuries and we are seeing a renaissance of its benefits for safety purposes.  During its use in early Egypt, hammered copper jugs were made to sterilize drinking water, clean our wounds by pressing copper plates to the injury, and even for general hygiene practices. People could see the benefits without having the tools to understand why. But now, detailed studies are pointing to copper as a new, hygienic part of our daily wear.

Today, many hospitals are introducing healthcare workers to wear copper-lined masks, adding another layer of defense against a spreading virus. However, utilizing copper is not uncommon in the medical field, and plenty of copper-infused utilities have been introduced over the years; such as copper door handles, bed rails, or even toilet seats have been implemented to help cut down the spread of bacteria. A study from the New England Journal of Medicine states that the Coronavirus lifespan dwindles drastically on copper compared to other surfaces such as plastic or stainless steel.

As a naturally occurring micronutrient, trace amounts of copper are necessary for our survival. This element aids us in the maintenance of healthy skin and connective tissue, in healing our wounds, the function of our heart, and it not only promotes our immune system to work, but studies show that copper boosts it as well. Ions emitted from a pure copper surface act as an antibacterial barrier, doubling down by aiding your immune system in killing germs on and around its surface. So wearing copper can help fight bacteria just by being worn.

The benefits are set by history, health, and hygiene. Copper is proving to have a comeback for safety practices. Could then touching my Cu jewels help diminish the length of viral and bacterial contaminants on my hands?  There is so much more to learn from this beautiful metal.  So why not add another layer of functionality to your copper jewelry that further brings your inner beauty and keeps you a notch healthier?

Sources: WebMD, NCBI, WikiPedia, Copper.org

Sculptural Jewelry Boutique Now Open in the Crossroads

We are so excited to announce the opening of the Cheryl Eve Acosta sculptural jewelry boutique in the Kansas City Crossroads. We were featured by the Kansas City Star in their "Eight new places to visit in the Crossroads" piece. Check out the article to see all the other awesome places opening downtown and watch the video for a peek into my studio, store, and inspiration.

Kansas City Design Week - Open Studio Night!

Stop by our Sculptural Jewelry studio to explore the many tools it takes to make a handmade jewelry. During your visit, you will get a taste of the several techniques behind foldforming to make complex metal forms. This technique exploits the inherent qualities of plasticity, ductility and elasticity in metals. The possibilities are endless with this unique three dimensional constructions.

Friday, April 8th 2016 5:30 - 8:30pm

ABOUT +  Kansas City Design Week is presented by the Center for Architecture & Design, a collective of professional design organizations and institutions working together to impact our community with design discourse, thinking and solutions.

Make sure to join us at the after party!

ArtsyShark Interview

We were excited to start 2016 by being interviewed for ArtsyShark, a blog and online community that celebrates artists building sustainable businesses. Designer Cheryl Eve Acosta spoke about her childhood, where she finds inspiration, and the Cycle of Life. Below is a quote from her ArtsyShark interview:

“Growing up on an island made me wonder how life came about. I collected shells and corals that were left behind by changing tides. I observed the unique textures, colors and shapes of each find. After spending hours on the sandy shores, it became natural for me to adorn my body with these exotic and foreign by-products. ”

— Cheryl Eve Acosta

Read the full interview here: Featured Artist Cheryl Eve Acosta.