How to Look After Saturno Silver Animals
Designed and crafted in Italy, Saturno Silver Animals are always made to the highest of standards. These incredibly detailed figures are cast, polished, and enamelled by hand, making each piece unique. With such care gone into their creation, it makes sense that you’d want to look after yours!
Make sure your silver figures are always shining with our tips and tricks on how to properly take care of them.
Do You Need to Clean Saturno Silver Animals?
Saturno always finishes their silver animals with a process known as lacquering. This is when the final piece is carefully cleaned, removing all dirt and oil from its surface, before a lacquer is applied.
Lacquering stops silver from becoming tarnished over time, so your silver animals won’t need much cleaning at all! They’re protected against air corrosion and every day grime, keeping them perfect for years to come.
Having said that, if you see dust or dirt on your figures you can give them a little clean.
How to Clean Your Animals
Cleaning Saturno Silver Animals is simple once you know how. But if not done properly, you could end up damaging the lacquer and tarnishing your piece, so pay attention!
First, rinse your item under lukewarm water to remove any loose dirt. Never use hot water as this can damage the lacquer, and you definitely don’t want that. Then, choose an acid-free, gentle dish soap. Clean off any dirt with a non-abrasive cloth.
Rinse your animal with warm water before drying with a cotton cloth. Make sure the cloth is completely clean and non-abrasive to avoid scratching the lacquer coat.
Keep Them Safe
Once you know how to clean your Saturno Silver Animals, the last step to keep them safe is knowing where to keep them. Because they’re glazed and lacquered, direct sunlight shouldn’t have too much of an effect on them. However if you want to ensure the bright colours remain the same over many years, we’d recommend placing them out of direct sunlight.
Never place your animals near the edge of a surface - this is just asking for trouble! Instead, keep them far from the edge to prevent any accidents. To reduce the chance of them becoming damaged, keep your animals in a glass display case or shelving unit. This will also stop frequent buildup of dust and dirt.
Enjoy Your Animals!
Once you know how to take care of them properly, your Saturno Silver Animals will last for many years! Just remember to always use a mild, gentle cleaner and place them in a safe spot.
For more handy tips and tricks, be sure to check out some of our other articles.
How Saturno Silver Animals Are Made
From a birthday gift to a treat for yourself, there are plenty of reasons why you’d like a Saturno silver animal. These small figures are lovingly crafted and colourful, adding charm to every home! Each one is made to the precise Saturno guidelines to ensure the highest quality so you can give a gift that lasts a lifetime. If you’re thinking about buying a Saturno silver animal, discover what sets them apart when they’re made.
Always Made in Italy
Saturno silver animals were created in Italy and they’ll always be made there - it’s part of what makes them so unique! Each piece is crafted by the same team of Italian experts who are incredibly skilled at what they do. From the first designs to the final coat of enamel, when you get your animal you can guarantee it’s 100% Italian craftsmanship.
Crafted by Hand
As well as being made in Italy, each Saturno silver animal is crafted completely by hand. There aren’t any machines involved at all! Every curve of the animal and brushstroke of enamel is done by talented craftsmen. Creating them by hand ensures that each animal is completed to the highest standard of quality. It also adds a unique charm to each figure and you can be certain that there’s no other Saturno silver animal quite like yours. By using machinery, some of the tiny details would be lost, too, and the animals just wouldn’t be so special.
The Process
As the name suggests, Saturno silver animals are made of sterling silver. The silver is moulded and cast, creating the shapes of the animals. It’s then polished and enamelled, creating the beautifully vivid colours that bring the figures to life. This involves very fine details as you can see on each piece. Once they’ve been enamelled, they’re glazed and baked at extremely high temperatures, helping bring out the colours of the enamel and set it in place.
Anti-Tarnish Finish
The final step to create the animals is a lacquer finish. This is the step that stops your animals from becoming tarnished by other chemicals and dirt. It also prevents the need for cleaning and polishing, ensuring your figure looks new for years to come! This final process is just one of the many steps the craftsmen take to ensure the highest quality for each animal.
The craftsmanship behind each Saturno silver animal is what sets them apart. With incredible detail that’s achieved completely by hand, it’s not hard to see the work that’s gone into each piece. They really are like no other figures, so why not add one to your home and bring some of Italy’s art to you?
How to Make Sure Your Jewellery Lasts a Lifetime
Jewellery isn’t just something you wear. Your collection is full of sentimental value, with a reason behind each piece you own. One day, your jewellery may even become a family heirloom that’s passed through the generations. Holding so much importance, it makes sense that you’d want to look after it!
Learn how to look after your Offord & Sons jewellery properly with our simple guide and learn more about our free jewellery cleaning service.
Tips for Making Jewellery Last
There are plenty of ways you can help your jewellery last longer. Here are some tips to help you:
● Keep your jewellery away from chemicals and cleaning fluids which can cause tarnishing
● Store your pieces with silica gel pouches to help absorb excess moisture in the air
● Keep gemstones in jewellery bright by storing them away from sunlight
● Avoid getting your pearl jewellery wet by taking it off when you wash
● Always apply skincare after taking your jewellery off and let it sink in properly before putting it on
These little tips are easy to follow and can go a long way to help your pieces to last.
How to Polish Jewellery
To receive a quality polish your jewellery is best seen by professionals. But between trips to our jewellers, you can polish your jewellery with a clean, dry microfibre cloth. You can also buy polishes for your different metals and use them to remove tarnish and add a light shine.
A great DIY polish for jewellery is baking soda. Mix 1 part water with 3 parts baking soda and apply to your metal jewellery using a clean cloth, buffing it gently to remove tarnish. Rinse your pieces and dry them thoroughly before storing.
What is Refinishing?
If you have a piece of jewellery that’s looking a little worse for wear, refinishing can renew it and bring it back to its former glory. It works by first analysing the piece carefully, usually under a microscope. This lets us spot any wear and tear that we’ll need to fix.
We will then polish and re-texture your jewellery, getting rid of any scratches and marks so that it looks like new. We’ll also tighten gemstones, renew engraving, and re-plate items in rhodium, gold or silver for a pristine finish. Once refinishing’s complete, your jewellery will shine like it did on the day you bought it!
This can be done on a number of pieces, including watch cases and bracelets, keeping your collection looking its best for years to come.
Free Jewellery Cleaning Service
At Offord & Sons, we know how important your jewellery is to you. That’s why we offer a free cleaning service so that everyone can keep their pieces in tip-top condition. We’ll check it over for any damage and clean it, making looking after your jewellery easier than ever.
For more information, be sure to get in touch with our team. We can help you with care instructions for specific pieces or tell you more about our free jewellery cleaning.
The Beauty of Vintage Jewellery
From costume pieces to luxurious vintage, there are plenty of treasures to be found in the world of jewellery. If you’ve got an eye for all things beautiful, pre-owned jewellery is a treasure trove just waiting to be searched through! If you’re thinking of going vintage, we’ve got everything you need to know about pre-owned pieces.
Why Buy Pre-Owned Jewellery?
From pre-owned watches to vintage necklaces, there are plenty of reasons to buy second-hand jewellery. Whilst it may have been much-loved, jewellery is easily restored by our professionals ensuring your pieces are always of the highest quality. Here are just some of the reasons to buy pre-owned:
● More for your money - pre-owned pieces are generally much cheaper than they were brand new, letting you buy high-quality pieces at reduced prices.
● A wide choice of styles - covering many eras, you can find a whole variety of styles in our pre-owned jewellery section, from the delicate beauty of the 1920s to the bold design of the 1970s.
● A better investment - whilst the cost you buy your piece for will be much less than the original price, it’s unlikely to decrease much over time. Instead, it’s likely to become more in demand as the years go by.
● Environmentally friendly - it’s far better for the environment to opt for pre-owned pieces than new jewellery, helping our planet’s finite resources last longer.
It’s no surprise that most jewellery enthusiasts love pre-owned pieces! They have a charm that newer pieces are yet to acquire and can hold a lot of sentimental value for the owner.
How to Buy Pre-Owned Jewellery
When buying pre-owned jewellery, always buy from a reputable brand like Offord & Sons. Our jewellers hand-pick the pieces we sell, checking them for even the smallest signs of damage and repairing them. This ensures you always take home a high-quality piece that will last you a lifetime.
Our experts can help you learn more about the piece too, including the era it was made in and how old it’s likely to be. If you’re a lover of vintage jewellery, this is information that we’re certain you’ll be keen to know.
Sell Your Gold Jewellery
At Offord & Sons, we don’t just sell pre-owned jewellery, we buy it too! If you have gold, silver, or platinum around your home our jewellers will pay high prices for it. From earrings and necklaces to watches and rings, we’ll turn your old pieces into money you can spend on new treasures!
We’ll also buy coins, gold teeth, and gold fillings, helping you get rid of old gold and silver without any hassle. If you don’t feel like parting with your metals, why not ask us to turn them into something new with our bespoke jewellery services?
To learn more about our pre-owned pieces or how you can sell your gold and silver, get in touch with our jewellers today.
Seal Engraved Signet Rings
A seal engraved signet ring is a type of ring that features a personalized seal or engraving on its face, often used for purposes such as authentication, identification, or simply as a decorative piece. These rings have a historical significance and were traditionally used to create impressions on wax or clay seals, leaving behind a mark that could verify the sender's identity or authenticate documents.
Design and Engraving:
The face of the ring, also known as the "seal face," is typically flat.
The design on the seal face can vary widely, ranging from monograms, family crests, coats of arms, initials, symbols, to any personal motif that holds meaning for the wearer.
The engraving is usually carved into the surface, creating a raised design in reverse. This reversed design allows for a correct impression when the ring is pressed onto wax or another soft material.
Materials:
Signet rings can be made from various materials, including precious metals like gold, silver, or platinum.
The choice of material can impact the ring's appearance, durability, and value. Precious metals are often chosen for their elegance and longevity.
Historical Significance:
Signet rings with engraved seals have a long history, dating back to ancient civilizations like the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans.
These rings were used to authenticate documents, correspondence, and transactions, as well as to indicate social status, lineage, or membership in a particular group.
Modern Usage:
While the primary function of seal-engraved signet rings as authentication tools have diminished in the digital age, they are still used as symbolic pieces and heirlooms.
Many people choose to wear signet rings with engraved designs that hold personal significance or honour family heritage.
Customization and Meaning:
The personalization of a seal engraved signet ring allows individuals to express their identity, values, and affiliations.
Family crests, initials, or other meaningful symbols can be used to create a design that carries both aesthetic and sentimental value.
Aesthetic Appeal:
Beyond their historical importance, signet rings are now often worn as fashionable accessories, blending traditional craftsmanship with contemporary style.
In summary, a seal engraved signet ring is a special piece of jewellery that combines personalization, history, and aesthetic appeal. It's a tangible representation of identity and heritage, making it a cherished item for those who appreciate its significance.
At Offord & Sons we have a large selection of signet rings in different shapes, sizes and weights. Our signet rings are designed and manufactured in-house, which enables us to offer a full custom design service so you can have one made, just for you, in the metal of your choice. We also offer a full engraving service so you can have your ring seal engraved with your family crest. Why not contact us and discuss it further?
