Looking after your jewellery

Many factors can influence the condition of jewellery. Therefore you should make sure that your jewellery is properly cleaned, repaired and stored. Take care to avoid extreme humidity or heat as this may cause tarnishing.

Please follow these steps to ensure your beautiful jewellery lasts a lifetime.

Wearing

Silver jewellery will naturally tarnish over time. Always protect your jewellery from knocks, scratches, chemicals, sunlight and heat/cold to minimise these effects.

We recommend removing jewellery when you shower or bathe and particularly when on the beach, in the sea and in chlorinated water.

Avoid spraying perfume (which can discolour jewellery) or applying creams directly onto your jewellery.

Apply makeup, hairspray etc. prior to putting on your jewellery.

Keep away from extreme temperatures, humidity and sunlight, and avoid wearing your jewellery when using bleach.

Avoid wearing jewellery when exercising, sweat/salt can be harmful long term.

Avoid wearing silver jewellery directly beside platinum or low-carat gold jewellery to avoid premature wear.

Storing

To protect your jewellery, pieces should be individually placed in a pouch or within a soft lined box to stop them being scratched or tangled. Ideally store your jewellery in a dark, cool and dry place, and try to keep pieces apart, so that they don't rub together, scratch or tangle up.

Cleaning

Metal – Using a soft, lint free cloth is an effective way to keep precious metals shiny. A silver cleaner can also be used to clean sterling silver pieces. Ideally, store silver pieces in an airtight bag to help reduce tarnishing. Do not use tissue paper or paper towels to clean metal as they can cause scratching.

Fine silver (.999) does not tarnish as quickly as sterling silver. (.925)

Gemstones – Since many gemstones are quite delicate, hot water, harsh chemicals and cleaners should be avoided at all times. We advise cleaning your precious stones with a clean, soft, damp cloth after wearing. Very porous stones such as turquoise and emeralds should be cleaned using an untreated, dry, soft cloth only. Do not use tissue paper or paper towels to clean gemstones as they can cause scratching.

Pearls – These organic gems require special care, follow all instructions previously given and add the following tips.

Pearls like a little moisture, so do not store in airtight or dry rooms.

Avoid placing directly anywhere hot, i.e. on top of a heater.

Never clean ultrasonically or via steam cleaning.

Wear them – they improve in lustre and glow when worn regularly.

If in any doubt about the care of your jewellery, or for jewellery with difficult to clean areas, visit your local jeweller for a professional clean. This will ensure your precious jewels are cleaned in the appropriate manner.
Do not clean any jewellery in an ultrasonic jewellery cleaner, or by using a steam cleaner unless you have spoken with a professional jeweller first.

And lastly, a good rule to remember for all jewellery lovers.
Jewellery should be the LAST THING YOU PUT ON when dressing and the FIRST THING YOU TAKE OFF when you get home.