A little care
Looking after the jewellery you love
Jewellery is made to be worn. Over time the metal will pick up small marks and develop the subtle character than comes with being part of everyday life. I think that’s something to embrace rather than worry about-it all becomes part of the piece’s story.
That said, jewellery is not indestructible. A little care makes an enormous difference, especially where natural gemstones and delicate settings are involved.
Know when to take it off
The simplest advice is to remove your jewellery before any activity that might knock, pull or squash it. Gardening, DIY, heavy lifting and contact sports are obvious examples. Even a sturdy looking ring can be damaged by a hard knock, and a claw or setting can catch without you noticing.
Swimming pools and hot tubs are best avoided too. Chlorine and other chemicals can damage precious metals, while soaps, creams and oils gradually collect around settings and dull the appearance of gemstones.
Apply perfume and cosmetics before putting it on, and take it off before the evening cleansing routine.
Give it a gentle clean
Most jewellery can be cleaned at home using warm water, a small amount of mild washing-up liquid and a very soft toothbrush. Work gently around the setting and anywhere dirt may have collected, then rinse thoroughly and dry with a soft cloth.
Avoid abrasive cleaners and vigorous scrubbing. Pearls, opals and some other gemstones need more careful treatment, so if unsure, please ask before attempting to clean them yourself.
Silver naturally tarnishes when it reacts with the air. This is completely normal and doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong. Regular wear often helps, and a soft jewellery polishing cloth will usually restore its brightness with minimal effort.
Store pieces separately
Jewellery is best stored somewhere clean and dry, away from direct sunlight and humidity. Keeping pieces separately helps prevent chains from tangling and harder gemstones or metals from scratching softer ones.
The bathroom may be convenient, but the moisture makes it one of the least suitable places to keep jewellery.
Check it occasionally
Gemstones are carefully secured by hand, but settings can gradually loosen through normal wear. Every so often, take a close look and listen for any slight rattle. If a gemstone appears to move - or if something just doesn’t feel right - stop wearing the piece and have it checked.
For me, caring for jewellery isn’t about keeping it completely untouched and perfect. Its about protecting it from avoidable damage so that it can be worn, enjoyed and loved for many years. It will scratch a little no matter