Jewellery made from precious metals will scratch and wear naturally over time, general wear and tear can give your piece real character and unique charm however there are a few thing you can do to ensure your piece looks its best for year to come. Please see below a few tips on how to care for your jewellery:
How do I care for my jewellery?
- It is best to avoid letting your jewellery come into contact with hard materials. Steel, concrete, and other hard materials can cause real damage to a piece.
- Refrain from wearing your pieces whilst gardening, swimming or working out at the gym. These activities can damage the surface of the piece and also damage stones.
- Avoid extreme temperatures and exposure to harsh chemicals such as chlorine, bleach, cleaning products and grease, as these will also damage your jewellery.
- It’s important to store your jewellery with care—ideally in the box it came in or in a soft fabric pouch.
- Keep all your jewellery pieces separately from one another to minimise scratching.
- Neckpieces and pendants should be stored flat to avoid kinks or bends from deforming chain or cord.
- Chains, cords, bails and claw setting should be checked annually for wear to avoid breaking or losing gemstones.
- Check all clasps are strong and secure before wearing your piece.
How do I clean my jewellery?
Your jewellery will benefit from being cleaned regularly. It is preferable to have your jewellery cleaned professionally, but there are a few things you can do at home to maintain it.
- Gently wash your jewellery in warm soapy water with a soft toothbrush use a mild unscented soap. This brings the sparkle back to your stones by removing dirt that may get lodged behind the setting. Do not allow your jewellery to soak longer than absolutely necessary.
- For pieces with a polished finish- Use a lint free polishing cloth to gently
- For pieces with a satin or brushed finish, dry your jewellery with a soft lint free cloth and avoid buffing vigorously as this will damage the matte finish.
Some additional notes:
Jewellery made from less conventional materials sometimes needs a little extra care.
- To look after wooden pieces, I recommend removing them when you are in or around water.
- From time to time, rub a small amount of clear wax or wood polish into the surface of the wood to condition the wood and prevent the wood from wearing or staining.
If in doubt, please contact me to arrange for inspection and/or repair.
I'm always happy to help :)