Jewelry Care Guide
Kinetic Rings in Solid 14K Gold
Handcrafted in Los Angeles
Your Antoanetta ring is built to be worn every day. Solid 14K gold doesn’t tarnish, fade, or turn your finger green — it develops a beautiful patina over time that makes it uniquely yours. The kinetic movement of your ring is designed for constant interaction: the more you wear it, the smoother and more satisfying the motion becomes. Here’s how to keep it at its best.
DAILY WEAR
Your kinetic ring is designed to be a daily piece. Wear it to work, to dinner, to the gym — 14K gold is durable and made for real life. The interlocking bands will move, click, and glide more naturally the more you wear them. A few things to keep in mind:
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Wear it often. The kinetic mechanism gets smoother with wear. Body heat and natural skin oils keep the moving parts lubricated. If you leave it unworn for weeks, it may feel slightly stiffer at first — a few hours on your finger will loosen it right back up.
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It’s fine in water. Washing your hands, showering, getting caught in the rain — none of this will harm solid 14K gold. However, avoid prolonged soaking in chlorinated pools or hot tubs (see What to Avoid below).
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Expect the bands to develop a soft patina. Over time, the areas where the bands meet will develop subtle wear marks. This is normal and desirable — it means the ring is alive. These micro-interactions between the bands are what give kinetic rings their character. If you prefer a mirror finish, you can always polish it back (see Cleaning).
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The fidget quality is the point. Play with it. Spin the bands. Roll them. The movement is part of the design, and the rings are engineered to withstand constant interaction.
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A NOTE ON FIT Kinetic rings have interlocking bands that add subtle dimension. They may feel slightly different from a flat band when you first put them on. Give it 2–3 days of consistent wear before judging the fit. Fingers change size throughout the day (tighter in the morning, looser in the evening) and with temperature, hydration, and exercise. If the fit doesn’t feel right after a week, contact us — resizing is free within your first 6 months. |
CLEANING YOUR RING
Solid 14K gold is remarkably low-maintenance. For routine care, you barely need to do anything. Here are three levels of cleaning depending on what your ring needs:
Quick Refresh (weekly or as needed)
Wipe the ring with a soft, lint-free cloth — microfiber or a jewelry polishing cloth works perfectly. This removes oils, light residue, and restores shine. Pay attention to the areas between the bands where oils can collect. This 30-second habit is all most people ever need.
Gentle Wash (monthly or when it looks dull)
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Fill a small bowl with warm (not hot) water and 2–3 drops of mild dish soap.
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Soak the ring for 10–15 minutes.
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Use a very soft toothbrush (baby toothbrush is ideal) to gently brush between the bands and around any stone settings. The kinetic links have small joints where soap residue or lotion can build up — a soft bristle gets in there without scratching.
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Rinse under warm running water. Make sure to close the drain or rinse over a bowl.
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Pat dry with a soft cloth. Let it air dry completely before storing.
Deep Clean (every 3–6 months, or after exposure to lotions/sunscreen)
Follow the gentle wash steps above, but soak for 20–30 minutes. If your ring has pavé diamonds or gemstones, use a soft brush to carefully clean around each setting. For stubborn buildup in the kinetic joints, you can add a splash of white vinegar to the soapy water — it’s safe for gold and stones and helps dissolve residue.
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FOR RINGS WITH DIAMONDS OR GEMSTONES Diamonds, sapphires, and rubies are extremely hard and durable — the soapy water soak is perfectly safe for them. Lab diamonds are identical in hardness to natural diamonds and require no special treatment. If your ring has softer stones like morganite or emerald, be a little gentler with the brushing and skip the vinegar. These stones are still durable for daily wear but can be more sensitive to abrasive cleaning. |
STORAGE
When you’re not wearing your ring — whether for a few hours or a few weeks — proper storage keeps it in perfect condition:
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Store it flat, not standing. Kinetic rings with interlocking bands should rest flat so the bands aren’t under uneven pressure. A soft pouch, your Antoanetta box, or a fabric-lined jewelry tray all work well.
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Keep it separate from other jewelry. Gold is softer than most people realize. Other rings, bracelets, and necklaces can scratch the surface if they’re stored loose together. Your ring’s Antoanetta pouch is the easiest solution.
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Avoid airtight plastic bags for long-term storage. Moisture can get trapped and cause discoloration over time. A fabric pouch in a cool, dry place is ideal.
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If you won’t wear it for a while, give it a quick clean and dry before storing. Oils and lotions left on the surface can build up over time.
WHAT TO AVOID
14K gold is one of the most resilient jewelry metals, and your ring is built for real life. That said, a few things can affect its appearance or the kinetic mechanism:
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✓ SAFE Hand washing with soap Showering Rain and light water exposure Cooking and food prep Everyday lotions (after drying) Working out (weights, cardio) Typing and desk work Travel and flying |
✗ AVOID Chlorinated pools & hot tubs Bleach and harsh chemicals Heavy gardening or yard work Applying perfume/hairspray directly on ring Ultrasonic jewelry cleaners Abrasive scrubs or polishing compounds Saltwater for extended periods Sleeping with heavy pressure on the ring |
Why these matter for kinetic rings specifically:
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Chlorine and harsh chemicals can weaken gold alloys over time. 14K gold is 58.3% pure gold mixed with strengthening alloys — chlorine attacks those alloys, not the gold itself. Occasional pool exposure won’t ruin your ring, but regular chlorinated soaking should be avoided.
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Ultrasonic cleaners use high-frequency vibrations that can loosen stone settings and, over time, affect the precision of kinetic joints. Stick with the gentle hand-wash method above.
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Heavy manual work (gardening, construction, heavy lifting) can dent or deform the bands. 14K gold is durable but not indestructible. The kinetic mechanism relies on precise tolerances between the bands — a significant impact could affect the smooth movement. If you’re doing rough physical work, take it off.
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Lotions, sunscreen, and perfume won’t damage the gold, but they build up in the kinetic joints and between the bands, making the movement feel sluggish. Apply products first, let them absorb, then put your ring on. If buildup happens, the gentle wash clears it right out.
ABOUT YOUR GOLD
A few things about solid 14K gold that are worth knowing:
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It won’t tarnish. Unlike gold-plated or gold-filled jewelry, solid 14K gold does not tarnish, flake, or wear away. The color you see today is the color it will be in 20 years.
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It will develop character. Micro-scratches from daily wear create a soft, warm patina over time. Many people prefer this lived-in look. If you want a mirror finish back, a professional polish brings it right back — but know that the patina is not damage. It’s evidence that the piece is being loved.
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It’s hypoallergenic for most people. 14K gold is alloyed with metals like silver, copper, and zinc. In rare cases, those with severe copper sensitivities may notice a slight green mark on the skin (this is a harmless chemical reaction, not the ring degrading). It washes off easily and typically stops after a few days of wear as your skin adjusts.
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Mixed metals age differently. If your ring combines yellow, white, and rose gold, each metal develops its patina at a slightly different rate. White gold may warm slightly over years as the rhodium plating naturally wears. This can be re-plated during a professional servicing if desired.
WHAT’S INCLUDED WITH YOUR RING
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✓ FREE Resizing Within 6 Months If the fit isn’t perfect, send it back and I’ll resize it at no cost. ✓ FREE General Repairs for 1 Year If anything needs attention in the first year — a kinetic joint feels off, a stone needs tightening, a band needs smoothing — it’s on me. ✓ Lifetime Servicing Available After the first year, servicing (professional polish, stone tightening, kinetic mechanism tuning) is available at cost. These pieces are built to last decades — I’ll always take care of them. |
QUESTIONS OR NEED HELP?
If anything about your ring doesn’t feel right — the fit, the movement, the finish — reach out directly. Every piece is handmade by me, and I stand behind every one of them.
info@antoanetta.com
antoanetta.com
@antoanettajewelry
— Antoanetta
Second-generation jeweler. GIA-trained gemologist.
Los Angeles, California