To ensure that your beautiful jewellery continues to sparkle, we have put together the following tips to help you care for your jewellery and ensure it twinkles and shimmers well into the future.
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Storage
Store your jewellery pieces individually in pouches or similar, to avoid them tangling or rubbing together and scratching. Also ensure pieces with gemstones are stored this way to avoid the stones rubbing against each other which can cause scratches.
Extreme humidity can often cause tarnishing, so aim to keep your jewellery in a cool, dark dry place like a jewellery box away from direct sunlight.
You will also find over time that sterling silver will naturally become oxidised with wear and eventually tarnish. By storing silver jewellery in a sealed plastic bag or airtight box when it is not being worn will keep out the air that causes oxidation.
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Wearing
Some simple tips to remember that will help you keep your jewellery looking at its best:
- Your jewellery should be the last thing you put on and the first thing you take off when dressing. This will help avoid tarnishing your pieces with chemicals that are in perfume, hairspray, make up, etc.
- Chemicals can damage the plating on your jewellery pieces, which will reduce its life span, so avoid any contact between your jewellery and chemicals.
- Store your pieces in a dark, cool place away from direct sunlight to avoid any stones fading and losing their unique colours.
- Do not swim or shower in your jewellery and remove rings when you are washing your hands. Jewellery can be particularly sensitive to chlorine, salt water and chemicals in soaps causing damage and discolouring. Soapy water can also cause the metal to appear dull, so again avoid wearing your jewellery when bathing.
- Gems sometimes have tiny cracks in them, which liquids can seep into. This will also cause discolouration and damage.
- As our jewellery is delicate, we recommend that you remove it during exercise to minimise any chance that it will break if it catches on anything.
Cleaning
We recommend that you clean your jewellery carefully with a soft, non-abrasive, lint free cloth which will help keep its shine.
Sterling silver pieces can be cleaned using a polishing cloth or a jewellery cleansing solution. Gold and rose gold plated pieces should be cleaned very gently with a dry soft polishing cloth. Do not use tissue paper or paper towels.
We advise you to avoid using abrasive jewellery cleaners as they contain strong chemicals which can destroy your jewellery over time. Also avoid jewellery polishing cloths which have been treated with cleaners or polishing agents.
Please note that with all plated jewellery, over time the top metal will wear away. Therefore, plated pieces may need to be re-plated every few years.
It is important to follow the care instructions for your warranty to be applicable.
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FINAL TIPS OF THE TRADE FOR METAL ALLERGIES
For any of you that may have experienced an allergic reaction to any plated earrings, or you get itchy when wearing them, one great tip is to try putting a little bit of clear nail polish on the reverse of the earring and the back which stops the direct contact between the metal and the skin. If it wears off over time, just re-apply.
For any further questions please email us on: ruth@idreamofsilver.com
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