JEWELLERY CARE

Jewellery Care Guide

Fine jewellery is made to be worn and loved for a lifetime. A few simple habits will keep every piece as luminous as the day it was made, and ready to pass on to the next generation.

This guide covers sterling silver, solid gold, diamonds and coloured gemstones. If you are ever unsure how to care for a particular piece, we are always happy to advise.

 

Everyday rituals

These golden rules apply to every piece in your collection.

Last on, first off. Put your jewellery on after perfume, hairspray, lotion and make-up have settled.

Remove before you:

  • Swim in the pool, spa or ocean. Chlorine and salt water dull metals and can weaken solder joins.
  • Shower or bathe. Soap leaves a film that clouds stones and metal.
  • Exercise, garden or lift weights. Knocks and pressure can loosen settings and bend fine bands.
  • Clean the house. Bleach and household chemicals can permanently damage metals and porous stones.

Wipe after wearing. A gentle pass with a soft, lint-free cloth removes skin oils and keeps the shine.

Handle by the band or edges. Touching stones directly transfers oils that dull their sparkle.

Check your settings. Every so often, hold a gemstone piece close to your ear and tap it gently. A faint rattle or click means a stone may be loose. Stop wearing it and let us know ASAP.


The gentle clean

One simple method is safe for silver, gold, diamonds and most hard gemstones. The sections below note only what differs for each piece.

  1. Soak in warm water with a few drops of mild, fragrance-free dish soap for 10 to 15 minutes.
  2. Brush gently with a soft baby toothbrush, paying attention to links, engraving and the backs of settings.
  3. Rinse in clean, lukewarm water.
  4. Pat dry and buff with a soft, lint-free cloth.

Pearls, opals, emeralds and other delicate stones need a lighter touch. See Coloured gemstones below.


Sterling silver

Sterling silver is 92.5% pure silver, alloyed for strength. It naturally tarnishes when exposed to air and moisture. The good news: silver that is worn often tarnishes less, and tarnish is easily removed.

Cleaning

Use the gentle clean, then dry every link and crevice completely. Any moisture left behind encourages tarnish.

Removing tarnish

  • Use a dedicated silver polishing cloth. Rub in long, straight strokes rather than circles to avoid fine scratches.
  • Avoid toothpaste, baking soda pastes and harsh dips. They are abrasive and can strip intentional oxidised (darkened) detailing.
  • For heavy tarnish, bring the piece to us for a professional clean and polish.

Keeping it bright

  • Store each piece in an airtight pouch or zip-lock bag, ideally with an anti-tarnish strip.
  • Keep silver away from rubber bands, wool and felt, which contain sulphur and speed up tarnishing.
  • Avoid bathrooms for storage. Humidity is silver’s greatest enemy.

 

Solid gold

Solid gold will never tarnish or rust, but it is a soft, precious metal. Its care is mostly about protecting the surface from scratches and keeping it free of everyday build-up.

Cleaning

The gentle clean is all solid gold needs. A final buff with a soft cloth brings back its warm lustre.

Protecting the finish

  • Gold is softer than many everyday surfaces. Remove rings before handling weights, rocks, bench tops or tools.
  • Keep gold away from chlorine. Over time it can weaken the metal and cause cracks.
  • Store pieces separately so harder gold or gemstones cannot scratch softer surfaces.

 

Diamonds

Diamonds are the hardest natural material on earth, yet they are not indestructible. A sharp knock at the right angle can chip one, and they attract oils that quickly dull their fire.

Restoring the sparkle

Use the gentle clean with two changes. Let the piece soak a little longer, 20 to 30 minutes. Then focus the brush underneath the stone, where lotion and soap collect. This is where light enters, so a clean base makes the biggest difference.

For rings worn every day, a quick clean once a week keeps them at their brilliant best.

What to avoid

  • Bleach, chlorine and abrasive cleaners, which can damage the metal setting.
  • Hard or sharp instruments to dislodge dirt. These can loosen claws.
  • Home ultrasonic cleaners for diamonds with inclusions, treatments or delicate pavé settings. We are happy to clean these for you.

Store with care

A diamond will scratch other diamonds, gemstones and metals. Always store diamond pieces in their own compartment or soft pouch.

 

Coloured gemstones

Most gemstones need nothing more than the gentle clean. A few softer or treated stones ask for a lighter touch.

Everyday stones. Sapphire, ruby, spinel, topaz, aquamarine, morganite, tourmaline, garnet, amethyst and citrine are durable enough for the gentle clean.

Delicate stones. Emerald, opal, tanzanite, peridot, moonstone and turquoise should never be soaked. Wipe them with a soft cloth dampened in lukewarm water, and keep them away from heat, ultrasonic cleaners and sudden temperature changes.

Out of the sun. Amethyst and citrine can fade in prolonged direct sunlight, so store them somewhere dark.