ASSISTANCE
DELIVERY
Find information and advice on caring for our pieces
CARE & ADVICE
Dinosaur Designs pieces are handmade, using modern and natural materials that pass through many hands to reach you. Our practices have been developed over decades, creating distinctive pieces that are designed to last.
Special care and consideration is needed to protect each piece to ensure the longevity of your Dinosaur Designs collection.
Resin
General Care
Each Dinosaur Designs piece may vary in size, casting and texture, reflecting the individual and handmade nature of our resin pieces and should be embraced.
Caring for your Dinosaur Designs pieces is important for their longevity. Resin is intended to last for years, as a strong and durable material, however, it can break if dropped or knocked against hard surfaces. Please note, resin is not shock-absorbent.
Some of our resin bangles use a metal hinge. While this hinge is strong and durable, it can sprain if over extended and lose some of its tension. This is considered general wear and tear to the piece.
Where resin is combined with metal, leather or rope, each material requires seperate care. Follow care instructions provided and avoid areas of other materials.
Over time, certain colours in resin may change due to the conditions they are exposed to. Original colours can be prolonged by placing your resin pieces away from sunlight.
Resin is not fire resistant and so should not be used in an oven, microwave, dishwasher or as an ashtray. Dinosaur Designs only recommends cold food service for food presentation on our pieces.
These considerations are inherent to resin as a material and are not regarded as a flaws by our studio.
Cleaning & Restoration
To clean our resin jewellery pieces, simply use a soft cloth that is lightly damp from water with dissolved detergent or use a wet wipe. Wipe down the piece and dry with care using a clean cloth, avoiding any metal, leather or rope if used. Restore shine by using a small amount of moisturiser on a soft cloth and rub in until dry.
To clean our resin homewares pieces, each should be hand washed in lukewarm water with detergent. To avoid scratches, avoid using abrasive cleaning tools. Dry with care using a soft, clean cloth.
Dinosaur Designs resin pieces are heat sensitive and should not be used in a dishwasher.
While our pieces are non-porous, we recommend washing shortly after use. If marks and discolouration are noticed, from pigmented foods like beetroot or turmeric or scuffs from utensil use, simply use a mild abrasive cleaner or cream cleanser and rinse thoroughly to resolve superficial imperfections.
If our pieces are not displayed, simply store with a thick cloth or mat between each piece to avoid scuffs or scratches.
For general maintenance, or when resin may appear “frosted” after washing, we recommend to apply small amount of cooking oil or moisturise to restore the surface and sheen.
Texture & Handmade Individuality
Each Dinosaur Designs piece may vary in size, casting and texture, reflecting the individual and handmade nature of our resin pieces and should be embraced.
Texture or air bubbles noted on the base of our resin pieces or on the internal surface of our vases is a natural part of producing handmade resin pieces.
Small air bubbles or texture will not impact the strength of your piece and is not considered a flaw by our studio.
Food Service
Dinosaur Designs resin pieces are BPA free and suitable for cold food service only.
Resin is not fire resistant and so should not be used in an oven, a microwave or dishwasher.
Resin is heat sensitive, though, can tolerate cold temperatures. For example, you may use our pieces to serve iced beverages or food, however, heat may cause warping or a 'frosted' appearance.
To clean our resin pieces after food service, they should be hand washed in lukewarm water with detergent. To avoid scratches, avoid using abrasive cleaning tools. Dry with care using clean cloth.
While our pieces are non-porous, we recommend washing shortly after use. If marks and discolouration are noticed, from pigmented foods like beetroot or turmeric or scuffs from utensil use, simply use a mild abrasive cleaner or cream cleanser and rinse thoroughly to resolve superficial imperfections.
If our pieces are not displayed, simply store with a thick cloth or mat between each piece to avoid scuffs or scratches.
After washing our resin pieces, the surface may appear “frosted” after washing, we recommend to apply small amount of cooking oil to restore the surface and sheen.
Grinders
Dinosaur Designs salt and pepper Boulder grinders are to be used for their intended purpose only. Only use peppercorns in the Pepper grinder and coarse 4mm rock sea salt in the Salt grinder. Use of incorrect seasonings can cause damage to the mechanism. Grinders are not suitable for coffee, spices or any other substances.
Turning the top pebble in a clockwise direction will tighten the mechanism. This will determine how fine the salt or pepper is. It is best to turn for a few rotations prior to adding salt or pepper.
To refill, turn the top pebble in an anti-clockwise direction. This will open the grinder and allow you to refill at your leisure.
Avoid exposure to moisture to prevent rust and empty when not using for extended periods.
Do not wash, simply wipe with a cloth or a dry brush.
Leave out of direct sunlight and store in a cool, dry place when not in use.
Please note that mechanisms requiring replacement due to misuse will not be free of charge.
METAL
925 Sterling Silver
Dinosaur Designs recommends to wear your silver jewellery pieces often as the natural oils in your skin will prevent tarnishing. By following proper silver care, your pieces will reward you with longevity.
All metals will naturally show signs of wear, appearing as a result of daily life, developing markings and may patina with time. To maintain their form and surface, wear carefully, avoiding knocks and scratches to the piece and polish regularly. While some pieces may appear to have flexibility, all pieces should not be tampered with to prevent strain or breakage.
Avoid exposure to moisture, humidity and common chemicals, including chlorine, acids and bleaches as they may discolour, oxidise and weaken the silver pieces. Due to this, we recommend avoiding perfumes, oils, common chemicals and swimming (salt or chlorinated water) in silver jewellery.
Sterling silver may oxidise over time, however, your jewellery can be maintained by polishing with a silver cloth to restore shine and the surface. Where tarnishing may be stubborn, silver metalware polish cleaners may be used.
For a lasting life, store in a soft pouch, dust bag or jewellery box, out of direct sunlight in a cool, dry place.
Coated & Plated Metals
Our plated jewellery and homewares pieces are made of brass and plated in an even coating of sterling silver, copper or 24k gold. Some brass pieces are protected with a nano-coating to protect against wear, oxidisation and tarnishing.
Over time, these coatings will naturally fade, as a result of acid and salt in its wearer’s skin or as a result of environmental factors. Special care can be introduced to prolong the life of your plated and coated pieces.
Dinosaur Designs recommends against wearing or exposing coated jewellery or homewares to moisture, perfumes, oils or common chemicals, including activities such as cleaning, washing your hands, showering, applying skin and body care, fragrance rituals, swimming (salt or chlorinated water) or exercising.
All metals will naturally show signs of wear, appearing as a result of daily life, developing markings with time. To maintain their form and surface, wear and display carefully, avoiding knocks and scratches to the piece and its plating, polishing regularly. While some pieces may appear to have flexibility, all pieces should not be tampered with to prevent strain or breakage.
To restore shine and clean your coated or plated pieces, use a very soft, dry microfibre cloth and buff the surface after each wear, or routinely if displayed. Do not use caustic cleaning materials (such as Brasso) as this may damage the plating or coating.
For a lasting life, store in a soft pouch, dust bag or jewellery box, out of direct sunlight in a cool, dry place.
To bring new life to plated or coated pieces, Dinosaur Designs offers replating and recoating services, for a small fee. Contact Us
Brass
Brass jewellery and homewares, are left untreated when not nano-coated, allowing your piece to patina naturally. Special care can be followed to prolong the life of your brass pieces and prevent tarnishing.
All metals will naturally show signs of wear, appearing as a result of daily life, and may patina with time. To maintain their form and surface, wear and display carefully, avoiding knocks and scratches to the piece, polishing regularly. While some pieces may appear to have flexibility, all pieces should not be tampered with to prevent strain or breakage.
Dinosaur Designs recommends against wearing or exposing jewellery or homewares to moisture, perfumes, oils or common chemicals, including activities such as cleaning, washing your hands, showering, applying skin and body care, fragrance rituals, swimming (salt or chlorinated water) or exercising.
To restore shine and clean your brass pieces, using a soft cloth, apply a thick coating of a metalware polish cleaner, like Brasso. Once this has dried down, use a soft, dry microfibre cloth and buff the surface until shiny. We recommend to clean routinely with a soft, dry microfibre cloth after each wear or if on display, to prevent surface buildup.
For a lasting life, store in a soft pouch, dust bag or jewellery box, out of direct sunlight in a cool, dry place.
Fine Metal Chains
Our pendant designs use a fine gold-filled or sterling silver chain, which is delicate in nature and requires care to avoid getting caught or stretching. Strain may cause the chain to break.
To restore shine and clean your fine chains, use a soft, dry microfibre cloth or polishing cloth and buff the chain.
If your chain develops grime, it may be the result of sunscreen and other cosmetics, water exposure or perspiration. For a deeper clean, simply rinse in clean, lukewarm water, then rub gently with a soft cloth or a very soft bristle toothbrush, cleaning the chain's entire length. Use care to not tug on the chain, preventing strain. Dry immediately with a soft cloth.
Exposure to moisture, humidity and common chemicals, including chlorine, acids and bleaches as they may discolour, oxidise the chain. Due to this, we recommend avoiding perfumes, oils, common chemicals and swimming (salt or chlorinated water) in our fine chains.
For a lasting life, store in a soft pouch, dust bag or jewellery box, out of direct sunlight in a cool, dry place.
Magnetic Clasps
For the LO Collections, hand-formed link chains are finished with a magnetic clasp, allowing to wear and remove the chains with ease.
Over an extended lifetime, the magnets may weaken due to physical shock or impact, aging, corrosion, and poor storage conditions.
Dinosaur Designs recommends to protect the clasp from grime, by cleaning routinely with a soft, microfibre cloth.
For a lasting life, store in a soft pouch, dust bag or jewellery box, out of direct sunlight in a cool, dry place.
To bring new life to your clasp, Dinosaur Designs offers a complimentary magnet replacement service. Contact Us
Metal Wire
Gold-filled or 925 sterling silver wire is included in some of our drop, hoop or latch back clasp earrings, providing fine detail while remaining lightweight.
Metal wire may be malleable if manipulated. To avoid stress to the metal wire, handle with care and store safely after use. While some pieces may appear to have flexibility, all pieces should not be tampered with to prevent strain or breakage.
To restore shine and clean the wire, use a soft, dry microfibre cloth or polishing cloth with gentle pressure routinely after wear.
Exposure to moisture, humidity and common chemicals, including chlorine, acids and bleaches as they may discolour, oxidise the wire. Due to this, we recommend avoiding perfumes, oils, common chemicals and swimming (salt or chlorinated water) in our fine chains.
For a lasting life, store in a soft pouch, dust bag or jewellery box, out of direct sunlight in a cool, dry place.
To bring new life to metal wire pieces, Dinosaur Designs offers Repair and Restoration services, for a small fee. Contact Us
Skin Discolouration
925 sterling silver and brass may have traces of copper, as an alloy. In some cases, sensitive or highly acidic skin may react with these alloys. One's skin balance is individual and may react differently.
Always take care to avoid moisture, oils and cosmetics from beneath your jewellery and clean with a soft, dry microfibre cloth.
Remove jewellery before physical activities or cleaning to limit this reaction, if experienced.
OTHER
Glass
Glass is inherently fragile and requires special care and handling to protect against breakage. Damage may be incurred if dropped or knocked.
When filling glass vases with water, hold at the base and fill slowly.
Hand wash only, using warm soapy water or quality glass cleaner with a soft cloth of sponge only. Do not clean with abrasive cloths or scourers as scuffing or scratching may occur. Dry with a soft microfibre cloth after use.
From time to time, the surface of sand-blasted vases may appear frosted. To restore sheen simply rub with moisturiser.
Wood Silk Cord
As a natural material, care should be taken when wearing silk cord, as it is possible that in some cases dye may transfer onto lighter coloured clothes. Contact with suede, water or leather materials may incur colour transfer.
These considerations are inherent to natural materials and dyes and are not regarded as flaws by our studio.
Leather Cord
Our leather cord is a high quality leather, ethically sourced in Greece from a small family run factory.
Wear with care, as the natural leather is vegetable dyed, which may transfer on to lighter coloured clothes when wearing. Contact with suede, water or leather materials may incur colour transfer.
Our leather bracelets and necklaces are not designed to be worn in water and should be protected from exposure to water. We recommend against wearing our leather designs while swimming, showering or in spa environments.
For longevity of your leather pieces, avoid contact with cosmetics, perfumes, oils and chemicals and periodically apply leather conditioner to maintain the leather.
After each wear, wipe gently with a soft, dry cloth to remove any grime.
These considerations are inherent to natural materials and dyes and are not regarded as flaws by our studio.
Hessian
Hessian is a natural fibre and is considered environmentally friendly and biodegradable.
To clean, hand wash in cold water with a mild detergent and air dry flat.
Due to the textured weave, take care when using hessian totes to avoid friction with apparel.
This consideration is inherent to the natural material and weave and is not regarded as a flaw by our studio.
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