Caring for your Jewellery

All jewellery will need some care so that it will continue to look beautiful. Although metals may vary slightly in their hardness, the surface finishes will change over time due to wearing the pieces. They may inevitably scratch with time and Sterling silver will tarnish naturally, but the tips below should help you look after your jewellery.

1.    Wearing

When wearing your jewellery, it is a good idea to put on your jewellery last, i.e. after applying make-up, perfume, or hair products as these can damage the jewellery.
This applies especially in relation to pieces containing silk braids. As with other delicate textile garments, special care should be taken when wearing these pieces to avoid contact with the above substances (make-up, lipstick etc.), which may discolour or stain the braids.
Remove jewellery before doing any activity that may harm it. Likewise remove it before having a bath or shower, particularly in chlorinated water, and before going to bed as it may become squashed whilst sleeping. 
Avoid contact with other chemicals, protect your jewellery from sunlight, extreme temperatures, knocks and scratches.

2.    Storing

To protect your jewellery when not wearing it, store it in the box provided or in another container with soft lining. Avoid placing pieces next to each other to prevent them from being scratched. Storing sterling silver in airtight containers will reduce tarnishing.

3.    Cleaning

Metals: Use a soft, lint-free cloth to keep your jewellery clean. It is a good idea to wash it gently in luke-warm soapy water now and then to remove any dirt or bodily oils that may have accumulated.

Patinated / oxidised surfaces: Patination or oxidization are surface finishes which – if exposed and in contact with touch – may change or fade over time. It will come off when rubbed or scratched. When cleaning, only rinse with warm, soapy water.

Silk Braids: Silk braids can be cleaned to remove light dirt by gently hand-washing them in warm water with a small amounts of special soap for wool / delicate garments. Pat gently dry with a kitchen paper towel and leave to dry flat on a towel.

Keum-Boo surfaces: the layer of gold bonded to the silver is thin and may scratch if harsh chemicals or materials are used. A soft silver cleaning cloth is all that is needed to gently wipe any dirt away.