Jewellery care
Jewellery is delicate by nature so we would advise taking your jewellery off before lifting heavy items, partaking in sports, gardening or working machinery and such like.
We would advise removing any ring if it may be in contact with something abrasive or another metal object on a regular basis, this could be a handle bar or another ring worn on the same hand for instance.
Constant wear against a hard object will cause damage to the ring and may compromise any intricate design.
All metals can tarnish if in contact with harmful chemicals and even some perfumes, moisturisers and essential oils.
Gold
Gold tarnishes very slowly, if left unworn in a jewellery box for a very long time it may turn slightly dull, a quick polish with a soft cloth should be enough to make it shine again.
Platinum
Platinum is very resilient to tarnishing.
However, all metals, including Platinum will, over many years begin to show signs of wear.
18ct gold is the softest, precious metal followed by 9ct gold then Platinum.
A wedding ring worn every day and rarely removed will over time develop a very soft patina, and just like your grandmother's jewellery will show its story through the life of its owner.
Detailed carving and engraving will soften over time and become less defined with age...just like us!
Stones
Although diamonds are the hardest stone of all, they are brittle and can pick up scratches if not handled with care.
Diamonds can scratch each other if jumbled together in a jewellery box.
Coloured diamonds and salt & pepper diamonds are softer than white diamonds.
Black diamonds are a little more brittle than other diamonds so care should be taken to remove them before undertaking any heavy work or sports.
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Silver
Silver will tarnish gradually as it reacts with oxygen and moisture in the air, a quick rub with a silver cloth will bring its silver shine back. If the item is worn regularly it's unlikely to tarnish.
Pearls
Pearls are very delicate and will not withstand constant wear and washing on your hands (if set in a ring) they like moisture and the oils from your skin but they don't like soaps and detergents which will dry them out. Pearls shouldn't be worn when bathing or swimming, they don't like perfumes either!
Pearls are fixed to their setting with a special cement, this can also deteriorate with constant contact with soaps and detergents which may cause the pearl to come loose and drop out.
Cleaning diamonds and ear studs
During daily wear, soap, moisturisers and oils from your skin will cause your ring or ear studs to become dull and matt, it is very simple to revive them back to their former glory with a gentle rub using a soft toothbrush and some mild liquid detergent such as hand wash or washing up liquid, the toothbrush will get into all those little crevasses behind the diamond or in the ear stud back. Rinse the item well and leave to dry on some absorbent cloth or tissue...this should make them look good as new!
If you have any other queries about maintaining your jewellery
please let us know!