Boutiques

DODO JEWELS

How are Dodo jewels made?

The Dodo Collection comprises a vast array of jewellery pieces in an equally wide selection of materials. From the classical 18 kt yellow gold and 925 silver, to the more innovative 9 kt rose or white gold, as well as diamonds, coloured stones, resin and enamel. The alloys used are hallmarked 750/1000 or 375/1000 for gold and 925/1000 for silver. With specific regard to silver, Dodo has always loved and valorised the technical and aesthetic properties of natural silver in its creations. Some jewels are enhanced by diamonds, coloured stones, resins or enamel.

Why has my jewellery lost its surface finish?

The finishes of some Dodo jewels are fruit of special surface treatments.
It is quite normal, in the course of time and use, for surface treatments – such as rhodium plating or sanding – to assume a different appearance from their original look when new and to reveal the natural metal surface.
To preserve the effect of the surface treatments longer, take care not to wear out the treated parts also by avoiding the use of common household cloths, polishing cloths or other products.
Furthermore, it is always advisable to prevent jewellery coming into contact with external agents such as cosmetics, perfumes, soap, detergents, chlorine or chlorinated water, prolonged exposure to sunlight, proximity to heat sources and sudden changes in temperature, which may harm finishes and gems. The various surface treatments may generally be restored professionally.
The result of any operation aimed at restoring the original surface finish will depend on the specific type of treatment and, of course, on the general conditions of the jewel being restored.

What is tarnish?

Tarnish is no more than a natural phenomenon, well known in metallurgy and common to all products in silver or silver alloy.
When tarnish appears, it blackens the surface layers of metal, making it look dull, either in delimited or widespread areas. It derives from a reaction that takes place on the surface and does not at all affect the metal in depth. In fact, it is advisable to seek professional assistance whenever the oxidation process has reached an advanced stage and/or whenever the jewel is set with gemstones or diamonds or is made from materials other than just metal.

What causes tarnish?

Tarnish is basically caused by an interaction of the jewellery with external agents such as:

• various chemical elements to be found in nature such as oxygen and ozone
• chemical compounds of sulphur, nitrogen and chlorine (e.g.: swimming pools, sulphurous thermal spa water, certain work environments)
• extremely humid conditions, as in marshlands or volcanic areas
• certain common substances such as perfumes, creams, detergents, hair lacquer or hair dyes etc.
• skin perspiration, a personal characteristic that may even vary according to the time of the year, the physical conditions of an individual at any given time (e.g. depending on diet or medicaments).

The extent and frequency of the phenomenon depend on a number of different and unpredictable factors.

What type of stones does dodo use?

Dodo mainly uses natural stones for its jewellery while it does use synthetic stones on some pieces. Synthetic stones are gems which, despite being lab-produced in a much shorter time than occurs in nature, possess the same physical and chemical properties as their equivalent natural gems.
Both types of stones generally have a good hardness rating but each gemstone set on a piece of jewellery is, on the whole, intrinsically delicate. Even apparently insignificant blows, effected indirectly or unconsciously, may scratch, graze or break a stone.

Dodo gold

Each DoDo jewel is made exclusively with 100% responsible gold, sourced via Kering Responsible Gold Framework, extracted from certified mines that comply with international laws on the transparency and traceability of raw materials (RJC certification), or coming from production chains engaged in important projects to improve environmental sustainability.

Dodo diamonds

All diamonds used in Dodo Collections are purchased by RSJ certified suppliers: the goal of RJC is to define a responsible supply chain respecting human rights, protecting environment and attending correct management practice. White diamonds have clarity VVS-VS and G-H color, while for black, brown and icy diamonds it is not possible to apply 4C quality standard. In such cases color ranges of materials, clarity level, shining and cut are defined by the Company. All black diamonds have been subjected to heating treatments, to obtain a solid color. Such treatments are not considered dangerous for health and safety of our customers.

PRODUCT CARE

How I can take care of my Dodo jewel?

Every Dodo jewel is made to be worn every day and on every occasion. This is why no extraordinary maintenance is needed, especially if it is delicately handled and cleaned. Nonetheless, being a precious object, it deserves to be treated with care. It is normal for both silver and gold jewelry to lose their shine with wear and over time. The natural phenomenon of darkening, due to oxidization, is also very common to all silver or gold alloy jewelry and it can be easily cancelled by a professional cleaning if the oxidation stage is advanced. We do not recommend any kind of do-it-yourself cleaning, especially in case the item is set with precious stones, diamonds or enriched by enamel or with leather. Professional help is also required to restore surfaces such as rhodium plating or burnishing. Stones set on a piece of jewelry are intrinsically delicate, meaning that even accidental or unnoticed bumps, as well as thermal shocks, could damage or break them. If you want to preserve the shine of Dodo jewelry, we recommend you to store it in a clean, dry place away from any heat sources.

How should i take care of my silver jewels?

A jewel in natural untreated silver, worn even every day with care, will only occasionally need exceptional maintenance, especially if it is delicately cleaned from time to time and put away appropriately.
Normal everyday use and external agents such as atmospheric humidity, temperature, pollution levels, contact with cosmetic products and perspiration may dull the lustre of silver surfaces, or alter the original appearance of the surface finish present in some items.
The phenomenon whereby silver lustre is dulled and the surface becomes darker and more opaque, scientifically known as "tarnishing" and commonly called oxidation, is well known in metallurgy.
The extent and speed of this phenomenon cannot be predicted, since they depend on a number of factors.
To keep the oxidation problem under control and reduce it, the general rule is to prevent silver jewels from coming into contact with detergents, creams, fragrances and water, in particular swimming pool water (chlorinated) and sulphur springs, and it is advisable to regularly wipe the jewel surface gently with a soft cloth, being particularly careful with the finish and gemstones, if present.

My jewel has come into contact with mercury. What can i do?

Damage from contact with mercury, caused for instance by the accidental breaking of a thermometer, is the most severe damage a jewel may suffer – and, unfortunately, in most cases it is irreversible.
Mercury creates an amalgam with gold, and often jewels cannot be repaired. In order to restore the original state of a jewel, as a first step it is fundamental to remove mercury. This can be done only with a high-temperature process which is highly toxic, since mercury vapours are extremely toxic. At the end of the treatment the jewel surface becomes extremely porous, making it unlikely for the original appearance of the jewel to be restored. Moreover, the colour of the alloy will differ from the initial one, since it is very difficult to remove mercury completely.

Why has my white gold ring turned yellow?

Frequently, especially in the case of pave gemstone settings, Dodo white gold jewellery pieces generally have a rhodium-plated surface finish in a cold colour tone. In the course of time, the sheen of the rhodium-plated finish may alter in appearance, allowing a warmer shade of colour to emerge, which is inherent in any natural white gold alloy. Such a phenomenon may be accelerated by reactions with external agents but, since it only involves the surface, the original look may easily be restored professionally.
Jewellery in natural white gold may also assume a warmer shade of colour. This phenomenon is typical of white gold alloys and may easily be avoided by means of regular cleaning.

Should i adopt any special measures to look after the gemstones, ceramic or enamel parts of my jewellery?

Stones, resin or enamel do not necessarily need any special treatment or maintenance but, since they are intrinsically delicate, they do need, first of all, to be handled with care to avoid blows that may graze, scratch or break them and, secondly, should not come into contact with harmful external agents.
It is therefore advisable, in this respect, to avoid any contact with cosmetics, perfume, water, soap, detergents, chlorine, prolonged exposure to sunlight, proximity to heat sources and sudden changes in temperature, which may damage the surface of a gemstone irreparably.

Should i adopt any particular measures to care for cord or fabric bracelets?

Dodo cord bracelets and necklaces are made from waxed cotton.
Since these items are made from cotton, it is advisable to avoid any contact with agents such as water, thermal spa water, soap, cosmetics, perfume, detergents, chlorine and any other substances that may cause the colour to fade or the fabric to deteriorate, with negative consequences for the jewellery piece as a whole. It is also advisable not to subject the fabric to excessive stress or tension, which could cause the cord to break.

HOW TO TAKE CARE OF LEATHER

Nappa leather is a fine and delicate leather which needs special care to ensure its durability. We recommend avoiding contact with external agents such as water, cosmetics, perfumes, soap, detergents, chlorine or chlorinated water, humidity, prolonged exposure to sunlight, proximity to heat sources and sudden changes in temperature, which may alter the aspect of the product, like color loss. We therefore suggest you remove your bracelet before any contact with these substances. In addition, do not add an excessive quantity of components and charms to your leather bracelet since these could scratch and damage the leather cord itself and its end tips. Slight imperfections and color variations should not be considered defects but unicity of the product itself.