Care Guide

Every MDA piece is built to last decades with basic care. The notes below cover what each material wants and what to avoid.

Sterling silver

Sterling silver darkens naturally with skin contact. This is called tarnish, and it’s chemistry — sulfur in the air and on your skin reacting with the copper that’s mixed into pure silver to make it strong enough to wear. Most MDA customers like the slight darkening; it gives the piece depth.

If you want it bright: wipe the piece with a soft polishing cloth (we include one in every order). Thirty seconds of contact and the silver returns to bright.

Avoid: chlorine pools, salt water, harsh cleaning chemicals, abrasive polishes.

18k gold plating

Our gold-plated pieces are sterling silver with 18k gold plating layered on top. The gold is real gold, but it’s a layer — not solid gold. With normal everyday wear, it lasts years.

To make it last longer: avoid lotion, perfume, hairspray, salt water, and chlorine. Take pieces off before showering or sleeping. Wipe with a soft cloth (no polishing compound — that strips plating).

Oxidized titanium black finish

The Morning Star Spike Bracelet In Titanium Black, the King Signet Ring, and several other oxidized pieces have a hand-applied black finish that develops a patina over time. The high-wear edges will lighten — that’s the design intent, not damage.

Wipe with a soft cloth. Don’t polish — that strips the finish.

Crystals

Crystals are precision-cut leaded glass and they’re durable. They will not chip from normal wear. They can be cracked or popped loose by hard impact.

Don’t expose them to chlorine or harsh cleaning solvents — these can dull the surface.

Onyx

Onyx is a hard stone (Mohs hardness 6.5–7) and stands up to everyday wear. It can chip if struck against another hard surface.

Wipe with a soft cloth. No special care needed.

Hematite

Hematite is denser than most beads and very durable. It will hold its mirror sheen with normal wear.

Avoid: prolonged contact with water (can dull the surface over time), abrasives.

Crocodile and python leather

Real exotic leather is durable but not weather-proof. Keep dry. Wipe gently with a soft, slightly damp cloth if needed. Don’t apply leather conditioners or oils — they can stain the leather and the metal hardware.

The leather will develop a personal patina over years. Small scuffs and softening at the corners are part of how the piece ages.

Storage

Store every piece in the pouch it came in. The pouch protects against scratches and slows tarnishing on silver. If you stack multiple bracelets, store them in separate pouches so they don’t scratch each other.

When in doubt

Email [email protected]. If you have a piece that’s looking off and you’re not sure whether it’s normal wear, a defect, or something fixable — send a photo. We’ll tell you what’s going on.