After purchasing jewelry, we want to be sure that it stays just as beautiful as the day you bought it for a very long time. Your jewelry, no matter the material, can last a lifetime with our help. In order to ensure that your jewelry will stand the test of time, follow the instructions below depending on what material(s) your item contains.
Meteorite is an extraordinary option for jewelry and very durable, but it is an iron based material and has the potential to rust. Jewelry by Johan uses Gibeon meteorite in most of our items; it is considered to be a stable type and less prone to rusting. However, it's likely your item will develop some level of rust over time despite following best practices below. Rest assured, it's easy to clean and remove the rust at home or, with our Lifetime Guarantee, you always have the option to send it back to us for a free cleaning and re-etching.
MAINTENANCE: Minimize scratches and prevent damage by storing your jewelry in individual small plastic bags or in separate compartments of your jewelry box. Extra care must be taken to limit the meteorite's exposure to water and do not expose it to chemicals (chlorine, bleach, swimming pools, etc.) especially anything with an acid in it.
CLEANING/RUST REMOVAL: The easiest way to remove rust and repel moisture from your meteorite jewelry is by purchasing our Meteorite Care Kit along with your ring purchase. If you prefer to DIY, instructions are below.
**IMPORTANT**If your items contains other materials including solid lapidary (e.g. dinosaur bone) or anything coated with our Ring Armor (e.g. crushed dinosaur bone, antler, wood), you must cover these sections with high-quality, waterproof tape or electrician's tape before cleaning the meteorite.
Step 1: Gather your supplies:
Step 2: Apply the alcohol
If your item is meteorite only, place the ring in the small bowl and fully submerge with the rubbing alcohol. Soak for 30 minutes, gently scrubbing the meteorite with the toothbrush periodically.
If you've taped off other materials in your item, do not submerge the ring. Instead, use a cotton swab to apply the alcohol to the meteorite section(s) and then gently scrub with toothbrush, if desired.
Step 3: Dry the item with the paper towel or cloth and then air dry for at least 20 minutes.
Step 4: Apply a small amount of gunmetal oil to the dry toothbrush and scrub the meteorite gently. Wipe off excess oil with a clean, dry paper towel or cloth. Gunmetal oil is a great water-repellent that helps keep your ring safe and beautiful!
Repeat above steps if necessary.
METEORITE REPAIR: All meteorite items leave our design center damage and rust free. If there is damage or rust with the meteorite in your jewelry after you receive it, we cannot be held responsible (if the problem/damage is not reported within 24 hours of receiving the meteorite, calculated from the date and time on the Delivery notice). We have no control over how the jewelry will be exposed to moisture or other environmental agents after it has left our possession. To report a problem/damage that occurred in transit, contact us through our Repairs Page and we will do our best to assist you with any issues.
FREE METEORITE RE-ETCHING: The Widmanstätten pattern of your meteorite ring may become less sharp over time. If this occurs, the ring can be re-etched. Etching— as it relates to iron meteorites— is simply the process of using acid to better reveal the metal's hidden crystalline structure. Per our lifetime meteorite guarantee, simply complete the form on the Repairs Page and then send your item back to us. We will re-etch it for no cost and then cover the cost of sending it back to you looking good as new!
Dinosaur bone may have survived for millions of years, but it's not completely immune to damage and wear. Other lapidary materials, including turquoise, lapis lazuli, malachite and sodalite, also should be worn with care.
LAPIDARY MAINTENANCE: To keep the material looking beautiful, avoid exposure to acidic elements and polishing agents. Be cautious not to hit your jewelry against a hard surface. It could chip or break like any other stone.
LAPIDARY CLEANING: Cleaning with rubbing alcohol is not recommended! To safely clean lapidary, add a small amount of mild soap into water in a small dish. Dip one corner of a soft washcloth into the mixture and ring it out so it's damp, not soaked. Gently wipe the surface of the stone. Dampen a different corner of the cloth with water only. Wipe away any soap residue. Dry the entire surface of your item thoroughly with one of the remaining clean, dry corners of the soft cloth.
LAPIDARY REPAIR: If chips or cracks occur, please contact us via our Repairs Page and we can help you assess the damage and potential repair process.
Many of the porous and crushed materials in our rings, including wood, antler, stardust, ash, crushed opal, crushed dinosaur bone, etc., have our water-resistant, durable Ring Armor coating. This proprietary solution protects the jewelry from the threats of water while also boosting its overall durability for everyday use.
RING ARMOR MAINTENANCE: It's best to avoid unnecessary exposure or submersion in liquids.
RING ARMOR CLEANING: Add a small amount of mild soap into water in a small dish. Dip one corner of a soft washcloth into the mixture and ring it out so it's damp, not soaked. Gently wipe the surface of the Ring Armor. Dampen a different corner of the cloth with water only. Wipe away any soap residue. Dry the entire surface of your item thoroughly with one of the remaining clean, dry corners of the soft cloth.
RING ARMOR REPAIR: If the Ring Armor on your ring begins to show any signs of wear at all, contact us via our Repairs Page and we'll make it right. Please do not attempt to fix it yourself with a varnish or wax.
Add a small amount of mild soap into water in a small dish. Dip one corner of a soft washcloth into the mixture and ring it out so it's damp, not soaked. Gently wipe the surface of the Ring. Dampen a different corner of the cloth with water only. Wipe away any soap residue. Dry the entire surface of your item thoroughly with one of the remaining clean, dry corners of the soft cloth.
