Jewellery Care Guide

You may not have thought about the care of your jewellery when you first wore that stunning new piece of jewellery. Maybe it was a necklace, or a pair of earrings, or a simple bracelet. Whatever the item, we're guessing it sparkled - just like a new piece. The truth is that no matter how well made a piece of jewellery is, it will begin to degrade over time. To keep your jewellery sparkling, it is important to show it love. Here are some simple tips on how to care for your jewellery and how to keep it in good condition.

General Care

• Remove all jewellery at night prior to going to bed as constant rubbing against your sheets over time causes damage to claws, delicate links and fine detailing.
• Remove jewellery when showering or bathing. This is particularly important when on the beach, in the sea and in chlorinated water. If it does come into contact with chemicals, rinse it in water immediately.
• Never expose jewellery to household cleaning products, especially bleach and highly reactive solutions.
• Remove jewellery when applying make-up, creams to avoid the residue getting into the texture or gemstone setting. Any residue dulls the shine of your ring.
• Avoid wearing jewellery when doing physical work such as housekeeping, gardening or exercise.
• Store it separately, ideally in a soft-lined box or case, so that your favourite pieces don't tangle, rub or scratch one another.
• Make sure chains and necklaces are fastened when storing to avoid tangling.
• When storing jewellery, please keep it away from sunlight, excessive heat or damp conditions.
• If you notice any gemstones moving, please have that repaired immediately to avoid any further damage or loss of stones.

Gemstone Cleaning

Cleaning your gemstones regularly will ensure that they retain their lustre and stay looking new. Here are the most common ways to clean gemstone jewellery.

• When removing your gemstone jewellery after use, make sure you wipe away any traces of make-up. A soft cotton cloth is the best choice for wiping this type of jewellery.
• For everyday cleaning, gently wipe your jewellery with a soft, lint-free cloth. A soft brush can be used to gently remove any dirt or grime from the environment.
• The recommended method for more thorough cleaning depends on the type of gemstone and metal. Warm water and a mild dishwashing detergent are usually the safest options. Avoid using hot water or scrubbing your jewellery with harsh or abrasive chemicals. After cleaning, rinse and pat dry.
• Loose gemstones can be soaked in warm soapy water and then gently cleaned with a soft toothbrush. They can then be allowed to air dry, out of direct sunlight or dried with a soft cloth.
• For stained and opaque gemstones, the safest cleaning method is warm water and a mild soap solution. Please note that lemon juice or vinegar should never be used to clean these gemstones, as the acidity can damage them.
• It is best to have your jewellery professionally cleaned at least once a year - or twice if you wear it regularly. Having your jewellery professionally cleaned and polished will also allow your jeweller to check for loose settings and other signs of wear and tear.
• Use the ultrasonic cleaner for stubborn dirt. (Please note, however, that ultrasonic cleaning is not suitable for all types of gemstone jewellery. Ultrasound emits high frequency vibrations and can loosen dirt. Although convenient, it should be used with caution. The vibrations of the machine can damage porous, fragile and brittle gemstones.)

With simple care and attention to the nature of your gemstone, its beauty will last a lifetime or more. 

Gold-Plated Jewellery Cleaning

Cleaning solutions designed specifically for jewellery are a safe option, but make sure that any cleaning solution is suitable for your jewellery. If your gold-plated jewellery is embedded with gemstones, it is recommended that you avoid immersing the entire piece in the cleaning solution. Most gold-plated jewellery has sticky decorations that may loosen when immersed.

If your jewellery is fully gold plated, it is recommended that you follow the following recommendations:

• Add a few drops of washing-up liquid (or other mild degreasing solution) to a lukewarm bowl of water. Extreme temperature changes may damage the jewellery, so avoid hot or ice-cold water.
• Soak the jewellery for ten minutes 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 (for example, at a stone's setting).
• 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.
• Gold is a very soft metal that is susceptible to scratching. Remember this fact during the cleaning and drying process and be as gentle as possible.

Silver Jewellery Cleaning

Silver is subject to tarnishing over time, resulting in dull or even black jewellery. Tarnishing occurs when silver is exposed to oxygen and sulphur in the air. It is unavoidable, but, thankfully, it doesn't damage the metal and can be removed easily with cleaning.

The way to clean silver is to buy a specialist cleaning solution or cloth. There are numerous examples on the market. Just make sure that they have been specifically designed for cleaning silver.

• Silver polishing cloths contain silver care ingredients and should not be washed. If you can restore approximately 80% of the silver to its white condition with a silver polishing cloth, there is no need to use silver polish or silver wash. These products are corrosive and silver jewellery will become more susceptible to yellowing with the use of these products.

• Use a small jewellery brush to clean the crevices of the jewellery, then apply a drop of silver polish to a tissue to remove the black oxide from the surface and use a silver polishing cloth to restore the jewellery to its original shine.

If you don't have specialist cleaners  or supplies at home, then do not fear as there are household options to get your silver shining.

• Apply a little toothpaste to the surface of the silver jewellery, then scrub with a toothbrush dipped in warm water and finally dry with a full-bristled soft flannel cloth will help remove tarnishing.

• Again a bowl of warm water and a few drops of washing-up liquid is excellent. Pour a small amount of washing-up liquid into warm water and soak for 10 minutes, then use a soft, clean brush (such as a toothbrush) to gently scrub the silver jewellery. Finally rinse in clean, warm water and pat dry with a clean, soft cloth.

For more stubborn tarnishing, you can use a white vinegar and water mix.

• Mix equal parts of white vinegar and water in a bowl. Soak a clean toothbrush in the solution and gently brush the affected areas of silver. Finally allow it to air dry.

Regular cleaning and good storage will ensure that your precious jewellery remains gorgeous for a lifetime.

Do you have any jewelry care tips to share?