Jewellery Care

Funnily enough, wearing your jewellery is a good way to prevent it tarnishing, the oils in our skin do a good job of protecting it… its when you take it off and leave it that it can start to oxidise and tarnish. It’s a good idea to wipe it clean with a soft or polishing cloth but NOT tissue or paper towels as they can scratch the soft metals, before storing it.

Jewellery, like me, isn’t too fond of cleaning products so best to take it off if you’re cleaning….. or just leave it on and lie on the sofa being gorgeous instead.

It’s also a good idea to take it off before lathering on the body lotion or relaxing in a bubble bath…. But that said, I never take my bangles off and they seem to be coping ok. If you’re a fan of open water swimming, again, probably best to take off the jewels first, especially before a dip in the sea…

The best storage for the longer term, is a small airtight container or sealable plastic bag. Maybe with the addition of an anti-tarnish strip. Keep that air away from the metals.

If your jewellery does need a clean to bring back its sparkle, a polishing cloth is the best way. Every jewellery lover should have a good polishing cloth… and yes, I plan on having them on the site and in the shop soon…

If you don’t have a polishing cloth then simply cleaning with a very soft toothbrush and some very mild washing up liquid diluted in warm water can be very effective. But be careful with any gemstones….especially Opals and Pearls. Dry them immediately and don’t submerge them in the water or rub them vigorously!

Gold can cope with a short 10-15 minute bath in diluted white wine vinegar. But never soak gemstones in vinegar. A gentle rub with a cloth or soft brush can clean off stubborn dirt . Make sure to rinse thoroughly and dry off.

Baking soda is pretty good too. Either use a damp cloth or sprinkle some on and rub gently or make a paste and use a soft brush to reach those awkward places. Rinse it off and dry your jewellery with a soft cloth.

Whenever cleaning, use the utmost care. A little at a time. Rinse any products off thoroughly and be careful of your gemstones.