As you wear your jewelry, you will notice a lightening of the patina on brass pieces; this is normal wear and adds to the beauty of our natural brass.  For cleaning, never use harsh chemicals to clean, only use mild soapy water and pat dry.  Please be careful when wearing hand-dyed silk ribbons/cords and freshwater and Swarovski crystal pearls when coming in contact with detergents (like washing dishes). Hand formed wire loops and designs can snag on clothing and possibly cause malformation or breakage.  Remember that each piece is hand made so please be careful.  Storage in a zip lock bag keeps your jewelry dust free and away from the elements to enjoy your jewelry for many years to come.