How to Care for Your Bespoke Eyewear: Buffalo Horn, Exotic Wood and Solid Gold
Luxury eyewear deserves a considered routine.
Buffalo horn, exotic wood and solid gold are exceptional materials. Each has a distinct character. Each also responds differently to water, heat, chemicals and daily wear.
At Harvey Taylor of Palm Beach, we create Bespoke Eyewear for clients who value rare materials, precise fit and enduring craftsmanship. Our frames may be inspired by a Ferrari paint chip, a yacht’s woodwork or a keepsake with personal meaning. The care should be just as individual.
This guide explains how to protect your frame, preserve its finish and keep your lenses clear. It also explains when professional service is the right choice.
Every Harvey Taylor frame comes with a duster hard case and the highest quality lens cloth ever made. These are essential care accessories. It is a must see for yourself.
Our principle is simple. Eyewear that frame your eyes should be treated as a lasting object, not a disposable accessory.
The daily routine for every material
Begin with clean hands. Oils from the skin transfer easily to the bridge, temples and nose pads.
Use a clean microfiber cloth to remove dust and fingerprints. Wipe gently. Do not use paper towels, tissues or the corner of a shirt. These materials can carry particles that create fine scratches on lenses and polished surfaces.
For lenses with heavier residue, use lukewarm water and a small amount of mild, non-abrasive soap when appropriate for the lens treatment. Rinse carefully and dry with a fresh microfiber cloth.
Keep cleaning products away from the frame whenever possible. Spray lens cleaner onto the cloth rather than directly onto the eyewear. This limits contact with hinges, inlays, horn, wood and precious-metal details.
Avoid:
- Alcohol-based solvents
- Acetone and ammonia
- Strong household detergents
- Perfume, hairspray and sunscreen residue
- Abrasive polishing cloths
- Chlorine and other aggressive chemicals
- Ultrasonic cleaning without professional approval
When you remove your glasses, use both hands. This protects the hinges and helps the frame maintain its original alignment.
The House Oil
Harvey Taylor of Palm Beach has its own proprietary oil formulated to work across all frame materials. It is the House's recommended all-frame care product.
The proprietary oil helps keep wood and buffalo horn from drying out. It helps keep metal-frame hinges free and moving smoothly. It helps keep acetate and plastic frames from drying out, turning white, and becoming brittle.
Use it according to House instructions. Contact us with questions about delicate finishes, precious stones or any frame with specialized surface treatments.
How to care for custom buffalo horn glasses
Buffalo horn is a natural material. No two pieces have the same pattern, translucence or tonal variation. This is part of the appeal of custom buffalo horn glasses.
Horn can also dry, warp or crack when exposed to excessive heat, harsh cleaners or prolonged water. It requires a lighter touch than conventional acetate or metal eyewear.
Clean horn gently
Use a dry microfiber cloth for routine cleaning. If the frame needs more attention, lightly dampen the cloth rather than running the frame under a tap.
Wipe the frame once, then dry it immediately with a second soft cloth. Do not soak buffalo horn. Do not leave water sitting around the bridge, hinges or temple ends.
Keep lens-cleaning fluids from pooling on the horn. Some cleaners contain alcohol or other ingredients that can dull the surface over time.
Maintain the natural finish
Buffalo horn may benefit from periodic conditioning. The correct interval depends on the frame, its finish and the climate in which it is worn.
Use only a horn cream or conditioning product recommended by the maker. Apply a very small amount to a soft cloth, not directly to the frame. Work gently over the horn while avoiding hinges, screws and lens edges. Remove every trace of excess product when finished.
Do not experiment with household oils. A product that is suitable for one horn finish may be unsuitable for another.
If your frame looks dry, develops a change in sheen or feels unusually brittle, contact us before applying anything. Professional care is safer than trying to restore the surface at home.
How to care for exotic wood frames
Exotic wood brings warmth, grain and individual character to a frame. Our Banyan Road frame reflects this approach. Its design is classic, while the material gives each piece a distinct identity.
Wood is porous and should be protected from saturation, heat and rapid changes in humidity.
Keep wood dry
A dry microfiber cloth is the safest daily option. For fingerprints or light residue, use a cloth that is only slightly damp. Wipe the affected area and dry it immediately.
Do not place wood frames under running water. Do not leave them in a damp bathroom, beside a pool or in a beach bag with wet towels.
Palm Beach weather can be warm and humid. That makes proper storage important. After wearing your frames outdoors, wipe away perspiration and allow them to air-dry naturally in a shaded room.
Avoid heat and direct sun
Never leave exotic wood frames on a car dashboard. Excessive heat can affect the finish, distort the frame or stress the material around the lenses.
Store your eyewear in a hard case. Keep the case away from radiators, hot windows and enclosed spaces that become heated during the day.
Wood may be treated with a protective finish, but it is still a natural material. Do not use furniture polish, degreasers or general-purpose wood products. They may alter the color or leave a residue that is difficult to remove.
The Cherry-Lane collection demonstrates how grain can become part of the frame’s design language. Regular, gentle care preserves that detail without taking away its natural character.
How to care for solid gold eyeglass frames
Solid gold is durable, corrosion-resistant and timeless. It is also a relatively soft precious metal. Polished gold can scratch, and delicate bridges, hinges or decorative elements can be distorted by pressure.
Treat solid gold eyeglass frames with the same restraint used for fine jewelry.
Clean gold carefully
Use a soft microfiber cloth to remove light dust and oils. For more persistent residue, use lukewarm water with a small amount of mild soap, provided the frame does not include a material or finish with different care requirements.
Rinse carefully. Dry with a clean, non-abrasive cloth. Pay attention to the nose bridge, hinge areas and temple tips.
Avoid polishing compounds, jewelry dips and abrasive gold-cleaning cloths. These may remove surface detail or change the intended finish. A matte, brushed or satin treatment should not be polished like a high-shine surface.
Protect diamonds and fine details
For clients exploring diamond frames for glasses, the setting requires special attention. Do not press a cloth aggressively across stones or delicate prongs. Avoid ultrasonic cleaning unless it has been approved by a qualified professional familiar with the entire frame.
A diamond may be hard, but the setting around it can still be vulnerable. Hairspray, sunscreen and perspiration should be removed promptly. If a stone appears loose or a prong catches on fabric, stop wearing the frame and contact us.
Gold frames should never be adjusted at home. Bending the bridge or temples can create stress around the hinges and soldered or joined areas.
Storage and travel
A protective case is part of the care system.
Every Harvey Taylor frame comes with a duster hard case and the highest quality lens cloth ever made. Both are included as essential care accessories.
Place the glasses inside the case with the lenses facing upward. Do not store them loose in a pocket, purse or vehicle console. Keys, coins and metal accessories can mark gold and scratch lenses. Small particles can also dull horn and wood.
Keep a spare microfiber cloth in your travel case. Wash cloths regularly without fabric softener, which can leave a film on lenses.
On boats, near salt water or in coastal air, wipe the frame after use. Salt residue should not remain on hinges or metal details. Avoid placing natural-material frames in direct sun for extended periods.
When professional service is needed
A frame should be professionally inspected when:
- The temples no longer sit evenly
- The bridge feels loose
- A hinge makes a new sound
- The frame has been exposed to heat or water
- A lens shifts in its groove
- The finish appears cloudy or unusually dry
- A diamond or decorative detail may be loose
- The frame needs an adjustment or deep cleaning
We can assess the material, finish and construction before recommending the correct service. Natural horn may require specialized conditioning. Wood may need finish review. Gold may need careful alignment or detail work.
We stand behind every frame for life. That means more than creating the original piece. It means helping you preserve its fit, finish and function over time.
A lasting standard of care
The finest eyewear is designed to be worn. It should become part of your daily life while retaining its individual character.
Our approach to luxury handmade eyewear is precise from the first consultation through long-term care. We select materials for their beauty and integrity. We shape each frame with purpose. We advise clients on maintenance because craftsmanship does not end at delivery.
Explore our full collection, view our sunglasses, or contact Harvey Taylor of Palm Beach to discuss a custom design.
For us, The Highest Quality Ever is a standard applied to every detail. You dream it we create it. Then we help you care for it for years to come.