We always recommend getting your jewellery checked by a jeweller, here are a series of things to keep in mind regarding how to care for your jewellery. Jewellery is an investment, both emotionally and financially, keeping it maintained and like new can be helped in many ways.
Please get your rings checked by a jeweller semi-regularly to check that settings aren't getting worn down and that claws on stones are in good condition. We recommend at least once a year.
Storing your jewellery, a tip that is not often talked about. At the end of the day, remember different metals and gemstones vary in hardness and some come with sharper corners or designs which could damage other pieces.
Storing your jewellery
- Take off your jewellery when you are doing tasks involving your hands, such as household chores, gardening, DIY jobs or anything that involves lifting heavy objects.
- We recommend storing your jewellery in a proper jewellery box which stops your jewellery touching or keeping them in their boxes and pouches to keep pieces from being scratched, or even cracked.
- Beaded jewellery and pearls need special care, make sure to keep them in a flat pouch to keep them in their best condition. Avoid plastic for your pearls as it can damage them, due to the dryness.
- Never store your jewellery near a sink, you don’t want an expensive bill from your plumber for retrieving your ring from the pipes.
- We recommend not sleeping in your jewellery, it can catch on sheets which can cause damage over time.
- Make sure you leave room to pack something to put your jewellery away in when you travel. We recommend a travel safe jewellery box!
Avoid swimming in your jewellery
- Jewellery can be damaged by chlorine, most commonly in pools and spas. Not just your silver jewellery, but also your gold. We always recommend taking off your jewellery before getting into the pool or spa.
- Chlorine is also in some common household cleaning products, so when cleaning remove your jewellery or wear gloves.
- When your hands are cold they can shrink slightly, so taking off rings before swimming also stops you from losing them when you are in the water.
How to Clean Your Jewellery
- Be aware of what you are using to clean your jewellery, some chemicals can damage the metals and stones in your jewellery. A toothpick or water pick can reach tougher spots and a soft cloth, which is lint-free cloth is perfect to dry and polish.
- To clean earring hooks and posts you can use rubbing alcohol.
- Pearls require special care; you can use a soft polish cloth to gently clean them. Although for general wear your pearls should be the last thing you put on as you leave and the first thing you take off when you get home. Make sure that you're spraying your hairspray and perfume before you put on your pearls.
- Avoid wearing jewellery when spraying hair spray, perfume, and when coloring your hair etc. as the chemical agents can cause them to become dull.
- Make sure that you use a polishing cloth or good quality felt to polish your precious metals as they will prevent scratching.
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