Care tiers for iridian.design products

How the tiers are set

The care tier assigned to your specific product has been applied based on “the most delicate materials” present in the piece you bought. For example, I always use stainless steel or sterling silver for items that come into constant contact with skin, but if your piece has freshwater pearls it might need extra love and care. 

When developing products and testing new materials, I try to stress test everything to determine the specific care tiers for each product. All materials used in products are selected based on reasonable durability and high quality standards. These care tiers relate to durability and care intensity - with the exception of samples. 

Note: All pieces come with a protective storage bag and complimentary jewellery cleaning cloth to help you care and store your beautiful things.

The tiers

These are the care tiers that apply to all products. 

🛡️ Heavyweight Heroes with High Durability

Pieces that only include: Resin elements and some types of glass beads; and stainless steel or sterling silver chains

This category includes products that only contain the most durable materials. These are your “set-and-forget” champions. Built with non-porous, corrosion-resistant materials designed for constant contact with real life.

Daily care:

• Shower, sleep, sweat tested - these champions should be able to handle almost anything you throw at them

• Generally resistant to perfumes, lotions, and most cleaning products

• If you accidentally wear these swimming they “should” be ok, but try to take them off if you can (especially if you’re planning a visit to natural hot springs) 

Specific materials advice: 

• Stainless steel (both silver and gold coated varieties) and sterling silver are tarnish resistant and highly durable. 

• Glass beads in this category are not dyed or coated.

Specific guidance on resin: 

• Avoid exposing your resin items to extreme heat. 

• Resin items are highly durable for the most part, but don’t store in direct sunlight as they will likely discolour. 

• Resin items with glow in the dark or sunlight color-shift properties may lose these abilities over time.

• Resin may accumulate surface scratches if they rub up against abrasive surfaces, or naturally over time 

Cleaning and storage 

• Clean with mild soap and water when needed using complimentary jewellery cleaning cloth. 

• Store at room temperature in the complementary storage bag or another soft cloth bag on its own to avoid scratching.  

✨ Everyday Elegance for Frequent Wear

Pieces that include: Natural gemstones (quartz varieties, jasper, agate), polymer clay beads

This category includes products that contain some materials with additional care requirements. Think of these as your daily wear darlings that love constant attention but need a bit of extra care. The materials included can still hold up to frequent wear with minimal fuss.

Daily care:

• Built for daily wear with mindful care - they love being part of your routine.

• Remove before swimming (chlorine and salt can affect these pieces).

• Avoid harsh chemicals like bleach or strong cleaning products, for example take them off when doing the dishes or other household chores. 

Specific materials advice:

• For natural gemstones - If you forget and shower with them occasionally, they should be fine - but this might lead to fading over time. 

• Natural gemstones (quartz, jasper, agate) are durable but may show gentle wear patterns after years of constant love.

• Polymer clay beads are lightweight and durable for daily wear - and are often sealed with UV resin or a polymer clay varnish.

• For polymer clay beads - avoid contact with water and extreme heat, and store somewhere with low humidity. 

• Your piece will also likely include stainless steel or sterling silver which is highly durable and tarnish resistant.

Cleaning and storage:

• Clean with mild soap and water when needed using complimentary jewellery cleaning cloth

• Store at room temperature in complimentary storage bag, separate from other pieces to prevent scratching

💎 Precious Things That Need Mindful Care

Pieces that include: Freshwater pearls, soft gemstones (turquoise, opal), gold-filled components, or delicate natural stones. Also includes Wooden, plastic or alloy/enamel brooch bases. 

This category includes products that contain delicate materials like freshwater pearls, select gemstones and some brooch bases. These materials reward gentle care with lasting beauty. Put on last, take off first to avoid contact with abrasive surfaces, perfumes, hairspray, and lotions.

Daily care:

• Put on last, take off first to avoid contact with perfumes, hairspray, and lotions.

• Remove before showering, swimming, or exercising.

• Avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight and extreme temperatures.

• These pieces reward gentle handling with lasting beauty. 

Specific materials advice:

• Soft gemstones like turquoise and opal can be damaged by impact or sudden temperature changes.

• Gold-filled components maintain their appearance longer than plated alternatives but still need gentle care.

• Natural stones in this category may have natural inclusions that make them more fragile. 

• Brooch bases in this category have a beautiful appearance, but aren’t as durable as stainless steel bases. 

Specific guidance on pearls:

• Use the “put on last, take off first” rule - pearls are sensitive to oils in some makeup, perfumes, lotions and hairspray.

• Remove before showering - soap and shampoo can dull their lustre.

• Clean gently with your complementary cleaning cloth after each wear and always store safely between wears.

• Don’t use rough materials like paper towels or facewashers for cleaning, try to use only a jewellery cleaning cloth or soft microfibre cloth. 

• Understand their nature - Pearls are living gems that develop character over time - the pearls in your piece should be suitable regular wear, just keep in mind they won't last as long as stainless steel. That's part of their natural beauty.

Cleaning and storage:

• Clean gently with complimentary jewellery cleaning cloth after each wear - never soak or use harsh cleaners

• Store separately in complimentary storage bag away from other jewellery to avoid scratching.

• Store in an environment with stable temperatures and humidity, for example in the dresser in your bedroom instead of a drawer in your bathroom. 

🎨 Samples: experimental pieces with a smaller price tag 

Pieces that include: any materials that didn't meet main collection standards or experimental materials that are still being tested. 

This category includes products that are made with less durable materials (but still pretty) materials that don’t meet iridian’s rigorous quality standards. Think of these as beautiful things with specific limitations and care requirements. These care requirements and limitations will be made clear at the time of sale. 

Daily care:

• Care details will be on the product page as these may vary - I'll be open about limitations.

Specific materials advice:

• Each piece has individual characteristics and limitations clearly described on its product page.

• May include experimental coatings, colour treatments, or material combinations.

• Priced to reflect their experimental nature and any known durability considerations.

Cleaning and storage:

• Follow specific care instructions provided with each piece.

• Store in complimentary storage bag as per individual requirements. 

• Contact megan@iridian.design if you have any questions or want to share feedback on your piece.