Jewellery Care

Taking care of your jewellery at home is easy! Let me show you how...

I'm about to give you all the information and tips you need to ensure your gemstone jewellery is always shining as brightly as you!

Sterling Silver

All of my jewellery is handcrafted in 925 Sterling Silver. It is important to note that 925 silver consists of 92.5% silver and 7.5% other metals, for example copper. These other metals are used to improve hardness and make it more durable. Silver in its purest form (999 silver) is a lot softer and therefore more prone to scratches and damage.

One of the biggest myths when it comes to silver is that - 'Real silver doesn't turn green'. I am here to tell you that this is false! Silver can tarnish for a number of reasons and this does not mean it is 'fake' or low quality.

Cleaning

When it comes to cleaning your silver jewellery I will always recommend a silver polishing cloth. These can be purchased online and are relatively cheap to buy. They will remove all tarnish and make your jewellery sparkle again!

Please please please AVOID using any at home remedies or liquid cleaners. These may seem like a great solution but could end up permanently damaging your jewellery and causing it to tarnish even quicker! When using these cloths please avoid rubbing the surface of the gemstone as this could cause scratches and result in the gemstone looking dull.

Most local jewellers will clean your jewellery but if you are in any doubt please feel free to contact me for advice.

Natural Gemstones

Each gemstone used in my jewellery is unique and there is no one size fits all approach to caring for them.

Gemstones are graded on their hardness using the Mohs Scale of Hardness. This scale rates gemstones between 1-10, with 1 being the softest. It is important to remember that gemstones can be fragile depending on their hardness and should be handled with care.

In some cases gemstones can be cleaned with a soft tooth brush and water. However, please do your research before attempting this. Soft or porous gemstones could be damaged by being submerged in water and the brush could causes scratches leading to a dull looking gemstone.

I will include the Mohs Scale rating on each listing but please feel free to contact me if you need advice on caring for your gemstones!

Protecting your gemstone jewellery

Here are my top tips for ensuring your gemstone jewellery sparkles and lasts a life time!

  1. Avoid wearing your jewellery in water. Showers, swimming pools and the sea are a big no no! Not only can chemicals in the water cause damage to the silver but some gemstones are porous which means that water can enter the gemstone and cause internal damage. This can leave your gemstone looking dull.
  2. Apply all beauty products and allow to dry fully before putting on jewellery. Harsh beauty products such as hairspray and perfume can react with silver causing it to tarnish quicker and in some cases turn your skin green. You may also cause the gemstone to discolour or lose its lustre and these chemicals can be abrasive to softer gemstones.
  3. Store your jewellery in the box it came in or a sealed bag. Oxygen can cause silver to tarnish over time if it is not stored properly. When you're not wearing your jewellery pop it back in the box and it'll sparkle for even longer!
  4. Avoid getting your sweat on when wearing your jewellery! Yes, I said it.. sweat can cause your silver jewellery to tarnish! We all have different skin types and PH levels which can interact with silver. In some cases this can result in the silver leaving dark marks on your skin. But not to worry this will wash off easily!
  5. Avoid exposing gemstones to the sun. Some gemstones can crack when exposed to high temperatures and discolour when exposed to direct sunlight for extended periods of time.

Got questions relating to jewellery care? Contact me below!