Artifact Care
With proper care, Uncommon Wares artifacts can last a lifetime. Here are some tips to keep your artifact properly preserved.
- Store in a clean, dry place when not in use, and clean using a toothbrush, dish soap, and water when needed.
- Apply Renaissance Wax to metals that age to preserve their current appearance. (detailed below)
- Avoid letting artifacts come into contact with acids such as vinegar, sulfur-containing compounds such as in certain shampoos, and any other harsh chemicals such as chlorine in pools.
- A polishing cloth can be used to remove tarnish or touch up dulled metals.
- Ultrasonic cleaners are safe for full-metal artifacts, but avoid using them on pieces with fragile stones.
- Artifacts featuring stones or certain types of metal may require a greater level of care. Each type of material I use is detailed in the "Metals" section below.
Patina and Renaissance Wax
Certain metals will develop a patina over time. This is when the metal reacts with air, water, or oils, and changes color on the surface. Patinas are not harmful, but they do alter the appearance of your Artifacts, making them appear aged and usually darker in color. The patina is part of the character of the metals I use, and it is encouraged to allow them to develop naturally over time, using a polishing cloth to shine up the high spots while allowing the crevices to get dark.
If you do not desire a dark patina, I recommend using Renaissance Wax to protect your Artifacts and prevent them from aging. Use a soft cloth and apply a thin coating of the wax to your Artifact, allow it to dry for 5 minutes, and then buff it off. This will leave a protective coating that will prevent the patina from changing color.
This product will have to be applied regularly: once a month for heavy-wear items like rings and bracelets, and once every three months for items subjected to less strenuous wear, such as pendants.
Metals
All metals I use are considered hypoallergenic. Some of these alloys are made in-house. None of these metals contain Nickel or Lead.
Sterling Silver
Composition: 92.5% Silver, 7.5% Copper plus trace metals
Description: Silvery White color, heavy, with good durability. Can tarnish, but we use a tarnish resistant variety.
Patina: Can develop a grey to blueish black patina, especially with exposure to sulfur. The type we use doesn't usually develop this patina unless certain chemicals are used on it.
Special Care: Keep away from sulfur containing compounds, such as shampoo or wine with sulfates, which can cause it to darken.
Ancient Bronze
Composition: 90-95% Copper, 5-10% Tin, trace Silicon and Zirconium
Description: Reddish brown color, hard and durable. The metal darkens and changes luster as it ages.
Patina: Fades slowly from its raw form to a caramel or milk-chocolate color. Polished surfaces fade to a satin finish. Salt water and other harsh environments can cause the formation of a blue or green patina.
Special Care: The natural patina that forms on bronze is not harmful to the metal and cannot be prevented. Different environments will affect how it changes color. You can use a polishing cloth to remove patina if the color is not desirable, but it's encouraged to let it age. Can leave a green mark if worn on skin and exposed to moisture. This is harmless and will fade, but you can apply clear nail polish to the inside of rings and bracelets, or request a silver lining be added when ordering an artifact, to prevent this effect.
Dwarven Bronze
Composition: 95% Copper, 4% Silicon, 1% Manganese
Description: Also known as "Everdur," antique gold color, hard and durable. Does not quickly lose its luster like Ancient Bronze.
Patina: Darkens to an "antique gold" color and remains pretty stable. Can be treated for darker brown patina with special chemicals.
Special Care: Not nearly as likely to leave a green mark on the skin as Ancient Bronze. If you still have issues, clear nail polish can be applied, but it most likely isn't necessary.
Elven Bronze
Composition: 92% Copper, 7% Aluminum, 1% Silicon
Description: Bright yellow gold color. Super hard and durable. Lightweight. The most corrosion resistant of all bronzes.
Patina: Quite stable, can take on a slightly brownish hue over time, which is easy to remove with a polishing cloth.
Special Care: Elven Bronze is very hard. Take care not to let it scratch other metals.
Aetherium
Composition: 92% Aluminum, 3% Silver, 5% Silicon
Description: Silvery color, sometimes with a slight blueish hue. Super lightweight, and can take on a very bright polish.
Patina: Does not patina. May develop a very slight blueish hue over time
Special Care: Do not store in contact with other metals, and avoid wearing it where it would sit in contact other metals, especially bronze. This may cause slight corrosion.
Titanium
Composition: Pure Titanium
Description: Typically dark silver color, can be anodized to create other colors as well. Incredibly hard and tough, very lightweight
Patina: Raw Titanium takes on a signature "champagne grey" color, which is super stable. Anodized Titanium finish is very durable and doesn't change color unless it's scratched away.
Special Care: Titanium is very hard. Take care not to let it scratch other metals.
Shibuichi
Composition: 80% Copper, 20% Silver
Description: Specifically designed to patina, it has a beautiful champagne color when polished, which quickly darkens.
Patina: Can range from brick-red to a rich reddish or blueish grey. This metal has to be treated with a special substance called Rokusho to achieve the best color.
Special Care: Patinated Shibuichi should be treated with great care to avoid harming the finish. Store it away from other metals so it doesn't get scratched, and don't expose it to any harsh chemicals such as vinegar or chlorine. Do not use a polishing cloth on Shibuichi, as that will remove the special patina. Only clean with gentle soap and water.