Caring for Your New Jewellery

Your Jewellery is worth caring about . . . 

Jewellery, new and old is worth caring for, I'm sure we can agree?  But it can be easy to do something to cause either superficial or permanent damage to your jewellery, unknowingly or by being less than careful whilst wearing it.  Repairs can seem costly, especially if you've only recently purchased your item.  Here are some tips to ensure you keep your jewellery looking at its best and to keep it safe whilst wearing or storing it.

Water

  • Water can cause your items to dull or tarnish, especially if household chemicals are involved.  Single or continual wearing of your items whilst showering, washing or cleaning, or being in the hot tub or swimming, exposes the metal to tarnishing effects or can cause a reaction which is harmful to the jewellery.

Beauty Products & Medicines

  • Perfume, hairspray, creams and moisturisers are more examples of household chemicals which should not be used on skin near to or around your jewellery. 
  • Believe it or not, medicines absorbed by the body can speed up tarnishing on your jewellery! Sometimes very quickly after beginning to wear an item.  This is due to the skins outward reaction with the jewellery and although there is nothing you can do to stop this, it is a good idea to buff your item with a polishing cloth upon removal each day.

Daily Wear

  • All kinds of daily activities can cause structural damage to jewellery . . . exercising, going to the gym, gardening, heavy lifting and even moving items at the office or home, create plenty of opportunity for scuffs, scratches, gouges or worse, catching, bending or breaking your jewellery.  Please remove your items before undertaking anything which may give rise to these situations.

Storage

  • When you need to remove your jewellery for safe keeping, it's best to place it in a moist free, dark environment.  The box you received your item in is a good place to store your items.
  • Some gemstones can fade in colour if left in prolonged sunlight.  Again, storing your jewellery in a dark environment , such as the box your received it in, will ensure your gemstones stay at their best.

Cleaning

  • Give your jewellery a spruce up by using warm water mixed with a tiny amount of washing up liquid and a very soft brush (softest toothbrush is ideal).  Do this every now and again.
  • Use a polishing cloth to buff your jewellery to a shine.  Try to do this on a weekly basis.