Basic Jewellery Care
Our handcrafted jewellery should last a lifetime and give many years of enjoyment.
Here are a few tips to keep your precious jewellery in pristine condition.
We suggest to:
apply lotion, cosmetics, hairspray and perfume before putting on any jewellery.
wipe each piece of jewellery with a clean soft cloth to remove oils and perspiration before storing it.
store all jewellery in a fabric-lined box, separately, or individually wrapped in tissue to prevent scratches.
not wear jewellery when doing physical work such as housekeeping, gardening or exercise.
not expose your jewellery to household cleaning products.
not expose jewellery to chlorine swimming pools or hot tubs.
Jewellery care and cleaning tips
Here are some hints and tips for caring for your jewellery, including cleaning tips and safe storage.
This list is based on our experience of working with, and caring for, handmade jewellery. We take no responsibility for any damage you may cause your jewellery while cleaning it.
Gently wipe off excess make-up and skin oils after wearing any jewellery. Use a nub free, 100% cotton cloth and gently wipe the piece clean using only the soft pads of your fingers. Store all pieces in a jeweller’s tissue or a soft bag.
To protect the finish of sterling silver, wrap the piece in jeweller’s tissue paper and place it inside a plastic zip-lock bag and seal.
When cleaning sterling silver, remember it’s a soft metal that can easily be marked by a fingernail or wadded piece of fabric pushed roughly against the metal surface. We recommend following this procedure to clean sterling silver:
To remove fingerprints, light grease or dirt, add a small amount of mild liquid soap to a half cup of warm water and soak the piece for 2-3 minutes. Afterwards, rinse thoroughly with clean water and dry completely before storing in an airtight plastic bag.
Be careful when using any soaking method to clean jewellery that has soft stones such as amber, lapis lazuli, or turquoise. Extended soaking in any solution may harm the polish on the stone. Never use chlorine bleach to clean jewellery.
To remove excessive tarnish, polish with a 100% cotton cloth and a good nonabrasive metal cleaner. Be sure to remove any remnants of the cleaner from gemstones and rinse thoroughly with clean water. Never use toothpaste! (See more about this below.)
Cleaning Tips:
To maintain the original condition of your silver jewellery, polish your pieces regularly using a non-abrasive cleaning cloth.
Remember not to use paper towels or tissues to dry your jewellery. Instead, always use a soft cloth.
When you are not wearing your silver jewellery, store all pieces in a cool, dry place. Zip-lock bags and individual cloth pouches are ideal and will help prevent both tarnishing and scratching that can be caused by other pieces
Never immerse your silver jewellery in chlorine, salt water, mineral spring water and suntan lotion. Remember, some household cleaners contain chlorine bleach which could cause discolouration and also loosen any gemstones.
Avoid abrasive cleaners, detergents and commercial jewellery cleaning “dips”, especially if the pieces have an oxidised finish. Using harsh polishing cleaners will alter the antique look of your jewellery.
Never use an ultrasonic cleaner, ammonia or any chemical solution to clean opaque gemstones, such as turquoise, malachite, onyx, lapis lazuli and opals. They are porous stones and may absorb chemicals, which can cause discolouration. Simply wipe them gently with a moist cloth until clean.
If your jewellery contains gemstones or pearls, do not immerse them in water, as this can loosen some settings. Never use dips or abrasives cleaners on gemstones.
If you want more information or advice on how to care for your jewellery, please get in in touch.