How to care for your jewellery

First things first; metals and stones do not like perfume, body lotions, body oils or other household products.  These lotions and potions can adversely affect the gold vermeil or tarnish the silver and cause most gemstones to look dull, not to mention damaging the more delicate porous stones, like pearls, lapis and turquoise.  So please keep your jewellery far away from these things.

Secondly, no jewellery enjoys being dropped or knocked but particularly gemstone jewellery as stones can become dislodged and metal can be dented.  Any time you bend the metal a stone can pop out of its setting, so don’t be tempted to squeeze bracelets or rings (or anything else for that matter) to try and make them fit.  And take your jewellery on and off over a table or other high surface, so if it does accidentally fall, it won’t fall so far.

Next, much of our jewellery has a water resistant layer of lacquer for long term shine and durability however it is infinitely preferable to remove your jewellery before washing up, showering or swimming.  Porous gemstones can be affected by water, washing up liquid, chlorine etc and the protective layer of lacquer on the metals will be worn away more quickly.  So get out the marigolds for the washing up and strip fully before that midnight swim.

Both sterling silver and gold vermeil tarnish if left exposed to the air. (It’s one way you can tell if your jewellery is authentically silver).  So when you are not wearing it, store your jewellery in the soft bags we provide which will not only prevent them from tarnishing but also from being scratched by your other catty pieces.

To clean your silver and gold vermeil jewellery, either wipe with a damp cloth or, if need be, use a soft toothbrush in warm soapy water to clean around the gemstone and remove any dirt that has accumulated before patting it dry.  Then gently buff up the metal with a silver polishing cloth.  This will also work on your gold vermeil jewellery but remember ~ you’re not polishing army boots so be ever so gentle with the cloth and do the minimum to restore any lost shine.

Lastly, if you are a pearly girl, wear your pearls next to your skin as often as you can.  Pearls benefit from the natural oils in your skin, which keep them moisturised and lustrous so even a night in front of the TV deserves to be glammed up with pearls.