Jewellery Care

Looking after your jewellery will not only make it last the test of time, but it will ensure it always looks its best.

 

 

There are several ways you can clean and maintain your silver jewellery. How do you know if it needs doing?

Firstly you will notice over time the silver will begin to dull, this is a natural process which is called tarnishing, the copper element inside the silver reacts with elements in the air causing a dull look, or if left for a long period of time can go a little black. Things like hairspray, perfume, makeup and other chemicals can speed the process up, so do make sure that your jewellery is the last piece of your outfit to go on and the first to come off. But not to worry it will come up brand new with a little regular care.

 

Why should I clean it?

Everyone wants to look their best, well so does your jewellery. Not only will regular cleaning maintain the shine of your piece it will also help to prevent any damage. There will always be a natural build up on jewellery items as it comes into contact with our skin and clothing and will naturally pick up small bits of debris. If it builds up too much particularly around stones it can in the long term cause damage and stones could become unstable, which we definitely do not want.

How to clean my jewellery

You have several choices when it comes to cleaning your jewellery. Before using any of the cleaning ideas below, make sure you check they are suitable for the item you have bought (particularly if there are stones in the piece).

You can purchase an inexpensive jewellery cloth, this is for mildly unclean pieces that have lost their shine. These cloths last a long time, you might notice when you clean your jewellery the cloth will get some black marks on it, this is natural and do not wash the cloth. This will remove the chemicals that have settled on the piece and also remove any surface tarnish.

You can also purchase a silver jewellery dip, a little more expensive than the cloth, but this tends to come with a very small toothbrush and a pot with the solution in and sometimes a miniature cloth. This is for a more tarnished piece, each pot will come with its own instructions, do make sure you read them carefully as not all stones are suited to the solution, and we wouldn't recommend any chains or anything with a clasp going in a solution either. The brush is designed to get into any small nooks and crannies and also removes any tarnish from the surface. Do make sure you rinse the jewellery in water after to ensure it does not cause any skin irritation after when you wear it.

You can also line a tupperware box (or similar) with foil, place your jewellery in the pot. Then pour hot water in and add some baking soda, stir it around to make sure it dissolves and leave for 20 to 30 minutes. Remove the jewellery (be careful in case the water is still hot) and again rinse the jewellery in water before wearing.

After cleaning the item always check to make sure the stones are all secure (particularly if you are using a brush or similar to clean)