Jewelry Care

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For information on how to care for your new jewelry, please see our care instructions below.

Sterling Silver

When unworn sterling sliver will tarnish over time. Silver reacts to moisture and chemicals in the air such as sulfur (in the same way it can react to perfumes and lotions on our skin). It is a completely normal and natural reaction. 

Silver jewelry remains at its best when worn daily or kept in a dry, air-tight box or bag. To clean any tarnishing, polish with your complimentary jewelry cloth for a bright finish. Regular use of a jewelry cloth removes light tarnish and inhibits re-tarnishing, prolonging the luster of your silver. Remove pendants from their chain before rubbing the pendant between the cloth. Silver is a soft metal, so it's best to remove jewelry while cleaning or in situations where rings are likely to get knocked against hard surfaces. Chemicals like chlorine and salt can have negative effects on silver so it is recommended to avoid wearing it while swimming or when in the shower.

Matte Finishes

To keep matte finishes clean, wash gently with warm, soapy water. Sparingly use the jewelry cloth, as it may alter the matte finish. If needed, rub lightly. Make sure it is fully dry before returning to its box or airtight bag for storage. Matte finishes are a surface treatment so they will naturally burnish with wear (becoming more shiny over time). 

Tip: Gently sanding with an ultra fine sanding sponge, in one direction, will redefine the matte finish after fading.

Chains

For tarnished chains or detailed silver jewelry a silver bath or “silver dip” may be required. It is effective as it is able to reach deep crevasses and fine detail. It is important to rinse very well with warm water to remove any residue before drying. Once fully dry, rub with the jewelry polishing cloth to help slow re-tarnishing and give the piece a brighter shine. Make sure the piece is fully dry and polished before returning to its box or airtight bag for storage.  Tip: Gently brush with a soft toothbrush to remove any embedded dirt in deep crevasses.

Anti Tarnish Silver Tip

If you don’t have a jewelry box, we advise you keep your jewelry inside a ziplock bag or airtight container. Add in any silica gel packs you have (often found in shoe boxes and vitamin jars) known as desiccants, they absorb moisture so will help prevent and slow tarnish.

Natural Cleaning Tip

If you don’t have any silver cleaner at hand, or you don’t like to use chemicals, you can try the following method on all-metal pieces, such as chains or bracelets. Do not use this method on jewelry containing gemstones as the heat may cause the stones to crack or change colour.

Find a glass bowl, or dish suitable for the type of jewelry being cleaned. Place your jewelry inside the lined bowl and cover with baking soda, just enough so you can barely see the jewelry. Next, pour hot water over the jewelry and wait for the bubbling to stop. After the solution has stopped bubbling, remove the piece, rinse with warm water and buff dry with a soft cotton cloth. You may need to repeat the process for badly tarnished pieces.

Gold

To clean your gold jewelry, wash it gently with warm, soapy water. Allow to dry and then buff with a soft dry cloth or gold polishing cloth. Tip: Gently brush with a soft toothbrush to remove any embedded dirt (be careful not to disrupt any loose stones, if present).

Gold Plating

Gold plating (also known as gold vermeil, pronounced vur-may) is sterling silver that has been gold plated. As with sterling silver, preventive care is important for maintaining your gold plated jewelry. It’s best to keep plated jewelry separate from other jewelry as the plating is susceptible to wear. Remove gold plated jewelry before swimming, bathing or washing your hands with chemical soaps. Perfumes, creams and hair sprays can also have a negative effect, so always apply before putting on your jewelry. As the old saying goes, “Jewelry should be the last thing you put on and the first thing you take off”.

If you would like to clean your gold plated jewelry, wash it with a small amount of gentle dish soap or non-chemical soap and warm water. Rinse it well and allow it to dry on a cloth or paper towel. Use a soft, non-abrasive cloth or jewelry cloth and gently rub the surface in a circular motion to clean. Make sure it is fully dry before returning to its box or airtight bag for storage. Note, all plating will naturally fade over time with wear.