Handmade forever jewellery
Taking care of your handcrafted jewellery
Our pieces are designed to last, and with the right care, we’re confident they will. Read our care guides below for advice on how to ensure your jewellery stands the test of time so that you can enjoy it for life.
Pearl
Pearls and opals, as organic gems, differ chemically from mineral gemstones like sapphires and diamonds. Hence, they require distinct care. Organic gems are generally softer and vulnerable to damage if not handled properly due to their chemical composition.
Avoid submerging the gems in water; instead, lightly moisten a soft cloth with warm water to gently clean each stone. Avoid pulling them through the fabric to prevent stretching or damage. If stubborn dirt remains, use a gentle brush while taking your time. Dry the gems using a lint-free towel, either by gently blowing on them or patting them with the towel. Avoid using a hairdryer as the heat can harm the gems.
Never use steam, boiling water, or ultrasonic cleaning devices, as they can permanently damage the stones.
Gold
Gold jewelry often loses its shine due to fingerprints and accumulated dirt. To restore its lustre, follow these steps:
- Be cautious with jewelry containing gems or pearls; we’ll address cleaning them separately.
- Use a jewelry-specific cleaning solution, ensuring it’s suitable for the metal and gemstone.
- In lukewarm water, add a few drops of mild dishwashing liquid; avoid extreme temperature changes.
- Soak the jewelry for five minutes to loosen dirt.
- Gently scrub with a soft-bristle brush, like an old toothbrush.
- Clean the entire piece, including hard-to-reach areas, taking extra care with delicate parts like stone settings.
- Rinse thoroughly with clean water to remove soap and grime residues.
- Air dry or pat gently with a lint-free towel
Silver
Over time, silver tarnishes, resulting in dull or even black jewellery. When silver is exposed to oxygen and sulphur in the air, it tarnishes. It is unavoidable, but happily, it does not harm the metal and is readily removed with washing. Simply wearing your silver jewellery can help to delay the tarnishing process. Being mindful of how you store and wear silver will also assist to slow the rate of tarnishing.
- When washing your hands, take off any silver rings or bracelets. Soap and hand gel residue can cause a dull surface.
- Silver jewellery should be stored in separate sealed containers.
- Avoid humidity.
Diamonds
Diamonds, although being the toughest naturally occurring mineral on Earth, require special care. They are hard, yet due to their directional hardness, they may still shatter and be scratched by other diamonds. Finger oil and ordinary dust and dirt can easily stick to the diamond surface and reduce its brightness.
Handle the diamond with care and store it separately from other jewellery to avoid scratching other pieces, especially diamond jewellery. Keeping the diamond in little plastic bags or a fabric-lined container will assist to minimise damage, wear, and dirt build-up.
Clean the diamond on a regular basis. Soak in a degreasing solution in warm water (a couple of drops of washing-up liquid will suffice). Brush gently with a soft, clean toothbrush before wiping dry with a lint-free towel. Take additional care with the stone’s placement since it may be delicate. Bleaches and other harsh abrasives should be avoided. This has the potential to harm the precious metal in which the diamond is set.
For more advice on caring for your handmade jewellery, contact us today