Guide to caring for your jewellery and silverware

Jewellery is not only an investment but often carries significant sentimental value. To ensure your pieces remain stunning for years to come, proper care is essential. Whether you’re cleaning a diamond engagement ring, a treasured pearl necklace, or a gold bracelet, our guide will help you maintain your jewellery with confidence.

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• Silver is a metal that naturally tarnishes and exposure to beauty products such as perfumes, certain cleaning products and chlorine from swimming pools can accelerate that process.

• Remove jewellery before engaging in practical/physical activities such as swimming, climbing or the gym. This will ensure your jewellery does not get accidentally damaged.

• Beauty products can react with metal causing tarnish or discoloration. Put your jewellery on last as perfume will cause tarnish and creams can become trapped underneath stones. 

• Let your jewellery sleep when you do. Take it off and place in its original box to keep it safe.

• Keep it well away from chemicals, especially chlorine. If it does come into contact with chemicals, rinse it in water immediately.

• Organic gemstones like pearls and opals are particularly vulnerable to acids, even perspiration.

• Make sure chains and necklaces are fastened when storing to avoid tangling.

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Jewellery MOT - a quick checklist of things to look out for: 
 

• Worn, damaged or missing claws on settings risk losing stones

• Loose stone(s) in their setting(s)

• Loose catches and clasps

• Rough links on chains 

• Any fractures in metals 

• The plating is wearing off-white gold 

• If a ring is too tight or too loose, it can generally be resized to fit

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Silver Tarnishing

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.
How to prevent tarnishing:
Simply wearing your silver jewellery or using your silver objects will slow the process of tarnishing. Being careful with how you store and wear the silver will also help reduce the speed of tarnishing.

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Cleaning

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Most jewellery is suitable for cleaning with a toothbrush, Fairy Liquid and warm water however; 

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• If using an ultrasonic cleaner please avoid putting jewellery with gemstones in - especially; turquoise, lapis lazuli, pearls and opals as they can be damaged in an ultrasonic cleaner. For jewellery with stones it is best to only clean using warm soapy water and a toothbrush - it is important to buy one labelled with a soft or extra-soft brush.    

• Although a gemstone may appear tough, many can be susceptible to heat. Whenever cleaning, make sure that you use warm water rather than hot or boiling water. Inclusions within gemstones can weaken their structure if aggressively cleaned.     

• Avoid using polishing cloths with satin or matt finishes as this will polish the surface removing the effect.

• If you have purchased an item which has been oxidized (treated black) avoid using silver dip to clean as this will remove the desired effect.​

• Silver cleaning cloths should be soft and infused with anti-tarnishing agents.

• Do not put silverware in the dishwasher as the salts effect the metal - instead handwash with fairy liquid and water, dry immediately after washing with a soft towel.

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