Clothing is worn an average of 7 to 10 times before it is discarded, according to the Ellen Macarthur Foundation. We were shocked when we read that and then we discovered that 30% of clothing that is donated, still ends up in the landfills. We are in the business of selling clothes, but we know that we can do better. The following tips will help to ensure your clothing will stay in the best shape so that you can wear it for longer!

1. Wash Less: Only wash your clothes when visibly dirty or smelling; the less you wash your clothing the better. We recommend that you spot clean anywhere there are any stains or marks, but otherwise try hanging the garment to air, and then wearing it again.
2. Wash on Low Temperatures:  When the time to wash does come, wash at the lowest  temperature that will still clean your clothing. For the average shirt over a year, 80% of wear that occurs, happens in the wash and not on your body! Low temperatures, gentle detergents and washing inside out will help lower that number, so you can wear it for longer.
3. Store Properly:  Correct storage will add to the lifespan of a garment. When hanging clothes, use wooden or padded hangers to further protect garments from becoming misshapen. Fold all sweaters on a shelf. If you’re hanging heavy sweaters, the fabric will start to stretch and you’ll be left with a misshapen sweater that you won’t want to wear. A cool, dark space with airflow will keep clothing fresh and colorfast. We like to add some lavender or cedar to our clothing storage to smell nice and pest free. 
4. Learn Some Basic Mending: Using a steamer, de-pilling your sweaters, sewing on missing buttons or shortening straps are all things that can be done quickly to keep your garments looking like new. Find a local tailor that can help with any alterations in fit or refresh the styles.

Cocktail rings harken back to the 1920's prohibition and reflect the decadence of that era's style. A cocktail ring is typically a large, bold, and eye-catching ring.

The beautiful rings seen at cocktail parties were named as such because women would wear them on the hand they would hold their cocktail as a way to flaunt their disregard for prohibition laws as well as show off their sense of style. Since the cocktail ring highlighted their rebellion, it also symbolizes liberation.

Historically, these accessories were firmly reserved for the evenings – cocktail parties, dinner parties and black-tie events. Nowadays, this tradition has thankfully changed and many people are wearing their cocktail rings anytime and all the time!

With cocktail rings, the bigger the better and the brighter the ring, the more fascinating the wearer was perceived to be!

Shop for cocktail rings here.

Gold jewelry can last a lifetime, but most gold jewelry will naturally tarnish over time.  Fire Opal recommends periodically cleaning your gold jewelry to remove dirt, oils, and tarnish.

A cleaning solution can be prepared by mixing a few drops of mild dish soap with warm water.  Soak the gold jewelry for 15-20 minutes.  Gently scrub with a soft bristled toothbrush to clean intricate details and hard-to-reach areas.  Rinse thoroughly under warm water and dry with a soft cloth.

Avoid harsh chemicals, such as bleach, and abrasive agents, which can damage the metal and gemstones.  Avoid baking soda and lemon juice as cleaning agents, both of which can damage gold jewelry.

Consider investing in a high-quality jewelry polishing cloth designed for gold.  Gently rub the cloth over your jewelry to remove tarnish and restore shine.  Polishing cloths can be used on chains, but should be avoided on gemstones and items of jewelry having gemstones, such as earrings and pendants.

Completely dry gold jewelry before storing since water promotes tarnish.