Care Guide

Jewellery often has a great sentimental value attached to the pieces. Therefore, it is important to take care of your jewellery to make sure they look their best for years to come. Remember to be careful while cleaning, handling, and storing your pieces – with proper care, the jewellery won’t lose its charm and value. Whether you are trying to store it or clean it; discover the best ways to take good care of your precious metal-plated pieces to help them keep their lustre.

Damages to your jewellery, like tarnish and dullness, are common with daily wear. However, if you are cautious while handling and cleaning your jewellery and follow some common-sense tips, you can prevent these issues.

STORING

Store in a cool and dry place, ideally separately in a soft-lined pouch or box, so that your favourite pieces don’t tangle, rub or scratch one another. All our pieces come in a pouch and a box, which are recommended for storage when the jewellery is not being worn. Please keep it away from direct sunlight, excessive heat or damp conditions, as these can all cause discolouration and tarnishing.

Take your jewellery off if you are involved in any activity which could scratch, knock or damage it. If in any doubt, take it off and keep it safe. Also, remember to take it off when you go to bed.

We recommend removing your jewellery before showering or bathing, as contact with water and chlorine can cause damage. The level of chlorination in pools and spas is very intense and leads to colour changes and structural damage to your jewellery. If it does come into contact with chemicals, rinse it in water immediately.

Ensure to put your jewellery on AFTER (!) applying your skincare products and makeup. Skin and hair products such as perfumes, lotions or sun creams should be applied and allowed to dry before putting jewellery on, as all cosmetic products (such as hairspray, perfumes, and lotions) contain chemicals that react poorly with jewellery and affect its appearance. Chemicals in lotions and perfume can permanently damage the surfaces of metal-plated pieces. Precious metals are particularly vulnerable to acids, even perspiration.

Keep it well away from chemicals. Avoid wearing your jewellery when using household cleaning products (especially bleach!), as chemicals can react unfavourably with precious metals.

If worn every day, plated jewellery will gradually start to show wearing signs, particularly on highly-used components such as the chain or the back of a pendant. You may see the colour slowly changing, but this is not a fault of the item, it is general wear.

CLEANING

It doesn’t take long for precious metal jewellery to lose its shine. Fingerprints and a daily build-up of dirt can quickly dull even the brightest metal. Tarnishing also occurs on metal when it is exposed to oxygen and sulphur in the air. It is unavoidable, but it doesn’t damage the metal and can be removed easily with cleaning. Thankfully, we have some tips to help you with getting it to shine once again.

Cleaning solutions and cloths designed exclusively for jewellery are the safest option, but make sure any solution is intended for the correct precious metal. If in doubt, it is best to stick to using the following steps:

Soak the jewellery for ten minutes in a bowl of warm water with a few drops of mild soap to loosen any build-up of dirt
Gently clean with a soft-bristled brush such as an unused toothbrush
Make sure to clean the whole piece of jewellery and get into hard-to-reach places while being extra careful when cleaning fragile parts of the jewellery
Rinse thoroughly in clean water to remove soap residue and any other remnants of dirt
Dry gently with a lint-free cloth or leave on a cloth to air dry

Any precious metal is prone to scratching. Remember this fact during the cleaning and drying process and be as gentle as possible.

EXTRA TIPS

1. Keep your jewellery away from wood

Wood is a beautiful and natural material for many furniture and decor types, but it harms your jewellery. It is because wood, especially unfinished or untreated wood, releases acids and other chemicals that corrode or discolour certain metals and gemstones.

It is essential to keep your jewellery away from wood in the form of jewellery boxes or pouches.

2. Insure your jewellery

Insuring your valuable jewellery to protect against loss or damage is always a good idea. It can provide peace of mind, especially if you own pieces with significant financial or sentimental value.

3. Keep gold jewellery separate from silver and rhodium pieces

One important tip for caring for your jewellery – is to keep gold jewellery separate from other precious metal pieces. This is because gold is a soft metal, and is easily scratched by other harder metals, such as silver or rhodium.

By storing your gold jewellery separately, you prevent any unwanted scratches or damage. Additionally, storing your jewellery separately by precious metal type also prevents tarnishing or discolouration, as certain metals can react with each other over time.

4. Use mild cleaners for regular cleanings

Regular cleaning with lint-free cloth maintains the shine and beauty of your jewellery. However, it is important to use mild cleaners to avoid any damage to your precious possessions.

Harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners scratch or damage delicate surfaces. We would strongly advise using a soft brush, mild soap, and warm water to clean your jewellery.

5. Proper care prolongs the life and shine of your precious metal jewellery

Taking care of your jewellery keeps it beautiful and sparkly and ensures longevity. Remember to store your jewellery properly, keep it away from harsh chemicals and environments, and clean it regularly with mild solutions.

With a little bit of effort and attention, you can enjoy your jewellery for years to come and even pass it down to the next generation as a cherished family heirloom.

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