Caring for your Jewellery
With a little bit of care and love, your jewellery will maintain its beauty and shine for years to come. Here are some things you can do to get the most out of your jewellery.
How should I handle and store my jewellery?
Store your jewellery in a safe place away from cool, dry place that is out of direct sunlight.When storing your jewellery, it is best to keep pieces separate in a soft cloth bag or pouch to prevent scratching.
If you plan to pop them away for a longer period of time, store it in a zip lock plastic bag which will protect it from the air which can cause oxidisation and tarnishing.
Some of our collections feature fine filigree work and embellishments, avoid pulling or catching these components.
Gold and Silver are malleable (soft) metals and may dent, bend or break if dropped or hit with excessive force.
What things should I avoid when wearing my jewellery?
We recommend removing jewellery before showering, sleeping, intense exercise or swimming (whether that be in chlorinated or salt water). Sweat and these types of water can encourage oxidisation and tarnishing.
We recommend avoiding contact with moisturisers, perfumes, deodorants, sanitisers, sunscreens, tanning products, hairspray and household chemicals. Let perfumes and cosmetics dry before putting your jewellery on.
How should I clean my jewellery?
Depending on its use and exposure to products listed under things to avoid, your sterling silver jewellery may oxidise or tarnish. Here are some cleaning tips to help restore some shine.
You can use a chemical free polishing cloth to help remove tarnish and residue. On plated jewellery, make sure you polish gently as hard polishing and over-polishing will wear the plated surface. We do not recommend using any jewellery polishes as these usually contain harsh abrasives which can considerably damage your jewellery.
If you want to give your jewellery an extra clean, we recommend using warm water with pure soap added (that contains no dyes, perfumes or abrasives e.g. Sunlight soap) and an extra-soft toothbrush to gently clean. (For jewellery with Freshwater Pearls, see the seperate section below). We recommend doing this over a container in case a stone becomes loose so you don’t lose it down a drain. Once cleaned, drain and fill the container with clean warm water, rinse it and dry it immediately.
We recommend you NEVER use home ultrasonic or steam jewellery cleaning devices. These use ultrasonic waves to bombard the jewellery and can lead to permanent damage to the piece including discolouration, breaking of enamel, damage to plating and damage and discolouration to gemstones. If you require a thorough deep clean, have it professionally done by a jeweller who can also inspect your pieces for damage and wear.
Sterling Silver jewellery is generally rhodium plated to enhance its whiteness and shine. Rhodium plating will wear off over time and while silver can be polished to a shine, the only way to restore the very bright shine would be to have them re-plated by a jeweller.
Gemstone & Semi-precious stone Jewellery
The beauty of natural gemstones and semi-precious stones can last generations. Remember that gemstones and semi-precious stones are a little more fragile than diamonds, so they need a bit of extra care.
What extra precautions should I take with gemstone and semi-precious stone jewellery?
Remove gemstone jewellery before exercising, undertaking physical activities or other heavy-duty activities where stones may be scratched, chipped, or cracked.
Take special care not to strike or knock the stone against hard surfaces.
Take extra care to avoid catching jewellery on clothing, fabrics, cords, and other items as bending or breaking of the mounts holding the stone and may cause it to fall out.
Never use an ultrasonic or steam cleaner on gemstone or semi-precious stone jewellery. The solution and ultrasonic action may cause stones to crack, shatter and even discolour. Refer to our main cleaning tips for best methods to clean your jewellery.
Some gemstones and semi-precious stones can fade with extended exposure to heat or direct sunlight. Store your jewellery in a cool, dry place in a soft bag.
Freshwater Pearl Jewellery
Pearls can last a lifetime or more but require special care to protect them.
What extra precautions should I take with pearl jewellery?
Store pearls in a velvet or silk pouch and away from other jewellery to prevent scratching.
Do not bathe or swim while wearing pearls
Avoid wearing perfume, cosmetics or creams on your decolletage or ears.
Avoid contact with hairspray, sanitisers, chemicals or acids.
Avoid abrasive clothing such as wool and garments embellished with sequins, beads or other items to avoid scratching.
Avoid wearing pearls in dry heat which may lead to cracking or crazing of the nacre.
If you wear your pearls often, consider having them restrung yearly to ensure they remain evenly distributed which will prevent scratching and stiffness in the strand.
What special care should I use when cleaning my pearl jewellery?
Never put pearls or pearl jewellery in an ultrasonic or steam cleaner.
Pearls will get coated with natural skin oils and other contaminants so ensure to wipe them down with a soft polishing cloth before putting them away.
Pearls are generally strung with silk thread – it is important to keep your pearls away from water as if the thread or knots in the thread do not dry properly, it will cause it to rot and potentially break.