Care and Longevity

Care & Longevity

A quiet ritual, not a chore

Reya pieces are made in Argentium 960 — a silver alloy engineered to resist tarnish, hold its finish, and travel with you for years, not seasons. Care for it the way you'd care for anything rare: with attention, not anxiety.

 

01

Why Argentium ages differently

Most silver jewelry is sterling — 92.5% silver, alloyed with copper, which is what causes the yellowing and blackening you associate with "silver that needs polishing." Argentium 960 replaces much of that copper with germanium, giving it meaningfully greater resistance to tarnish, along with a hypoallergenic, nickel-free composition and a cleaner, firescale-free finish straight out of the setting process.

This doesn't mean it's indestructible — it means it needs far less intervention to stay beautiful, for far longer.

 

02

The daily ritual

  • Put your Reya pieces on last — after perfume, lotion, and hairspray have fully dried.
  • Take them off first — before showering, swimming, exercising, or sleeping.
  • Wipe with a soft, dry cloth after wear to lift any residue from skin or fabric contact.
  • Let charms and carriers move freely rather than forcing a stack — the clasp is a mechanism, not a hinge to lean on.

 

03

Cleaning

For everyday upkeep

A soft, lint-free or microfiber cloth is usually all Argentium 960 needs. Gently rub along the surface — no water or product required.

For visible buildup

Warm water with a drop of mild, fragrance-free soap. Soft-bristle brush (a clean, soft toothbrush works) for detailed charm surfaces. Rinse thoroughly and dry completely before storing.

Skip the shortcuts. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners, silver dips, ammonia-based solutions, and commercial polishing cloths meant for sterling silver — these are formulated for a faster-tarnishing alloy and are unnecessarily harsh on Argentium. If a piece ever needs more than a gentle clean, bring it to us before reaching for a home remedy.

 

04

Storage

  • Store each piece separately — in the Reya box it arrived in, or a soft-lined compartment — to prevent charms and chains from scratching one another.
  • Keep away from direct humidity: bathroom shelves and windowsills are the two most common culprits behind premature tarnish, on any metal.
  • Lay carriers flat rather than hanging them, to keep clasps and links from taking on tension over time.
  • If a piece won't be worn for a while, a sealed pouch or airtight box slows any environmental exposure further.
05

What to avoid

  • Chlorinated pools, hot tubs, and saltwater — chlorine and salt are corrosive to every precious metal, Argentium included.
  • Household chemicals: bleach, chlorine-based cleaners, and sulfur-heavy products (some latex gloves, some rubber bands) can affect any silver alloy on contact.
  • Direct, prolonged contact with perfume, sunscreen, or lotion before they've dried.
  • Extreme heat — saunas, hair dryers held too close, or leaving pieces in a hot car.
  • Abrasive contact — gym equipment, rough fabrics, or activities where a charm could be pulled or crushed.
06

Charms & carriers, specifically

The clasp is the most mechanical part of any Carrier — treat it with the same care you'd give a watch clasp. Open and close it deliberately rather than tugging. When adding or removing charms, support the link with one hand while you work the clasp with the other, so the connecting rings don't bear the full force.

Stacking is part of the Chapter System's design — but a fuller stack means a little more attentiveness at the clasp. If a Carrier ever feels loose or a charm sits unevenly, that's worth a look from our team before it becomes a bigger issue.


When to reach out to us

Some things are best left to us rather than attempted at home — a clasp that's caught, a chain that needs professional cleaning, or a piece that's seen an accident. A piece built to last should also be a piece you feel comfortable bringing back.

Rare, the way you already are.