Caring for Your Jewelry.

Your jewelry is made to be worn every day, but a few situations put it through unnecessary wear. Taking a ring off at the right moments extends both the finish on the metal and the life of the settings.

We suggest removing rings, bracelets and other pieces when you are:

• training or lifting anything heavy
• working in the garden
• cleaning or washing up
• using strong household cleaners
• applying hand cream or sunscreen

Creams and oils leave a thin film on diamonds and gemstones, so they reflect less light and look duller.

Water alone does not harm gold or platinum, but soap residue collects easily under the stone and inside the setting, so it is a good habit to take a ring off before the shower. Pools and the sea are places jewelry would rather sit out.

• Chlorine can affect the surface of some metals over time.
• Salt water can dull a piece faster.
• And a ring is more likely to slide off in cold water.

Do not leave jewelry in direct sunlight for long periods either. Store it dark, dry and cool when it is not being worn.

Gemstones differ in hardness and in toughness.

• Handle daily wear well: diamond, sapphire, ruby and topaz.
• Ask for more care: emerald, opal, pearl and turquoise.

The best cleaning routine is usually the simplest one. You need no strong chemicals and no special products to bring the shine back. You need:

• a bowl of lukewarm water
• a few drops of mild dish soap
• a soft toothbrush
• a soft microfibre or cotton cloth

Step 1: leave the piece in lukewarm water with a little soap for five to ten minutes, which loosens grease and grime. Step 2: brush gently around the stone, under the setting, along the band and into any small details where dirt collects. The point is to lift the film, not to polish the metal. Step 3: rinse in clean, lukewarm water until all the soap is gone. Step 4: dry with a soft cloth. Avoid paper towel, whose fibres can scratch a polished surface.

Rings worn every day: roughly every other week. Everything else: once a month, or as needed. A quick wipe with a soft cloth after wear also helps hold the lustre.

Gold rarely loses colour, but the surface gradually dulls with grease and grime. Lukewarm water, mild dish soap, a soft toothbrush and a soft cloth are all it takes. Let the gold sit for a few minutes before brushing gently and drying it off.

Do not use bleach, chlorine, abrasive cleaners, or hard brushes and sponges. They can damage a polished surface or affect a plated finish.

Silver oxidises naturally in contact with air and skin, so it can darken over time. For plain silver without stones, the classic methods work, bicarbonate and aluminium foil among them.

If the piece has stones or a deliberately oxidised finish, use only mild dish soap and a soft cloth.

Diamonds are very hard, but they dull easily once grease and soap settle on the surface. Clean the underside of the stone above all, where dirt collects. Once light can pass through the diamond again, the brilliance returns.

Ultrasonic cleaning works well for many diamond pieces, but not all. Do not use it on jewelry with:

• emeralds
• opals
• pearls
• turquoise
• stones with fractures, or delicate settings

If you are unsure, send it to us instead and we will do the cleaning.

Storage is one of the most underrated parts of looking after jewelry. Diamond will scratch other pieces, so store each piece separately: in its own compartment, in individual pouches, or in a box with soft dividers. Do not leave rings loose among chains and bracelets.

Choose somewhere dry, cool and dark. Avoid the bathroom, where humidity and temperature swings tell over time. Pearls and opals dislike strong heat and prolonged direct sun, and do best in a stable environment.

It is rarely a big mistake that wears jewelry down. Usually it is small daily habits. Try to avoid:

• wearing rings for heavy lifting
• showering in your jewelry every day
• using cleaners containing chlorine
• storing several rings together
• leaving the setting under the stone uncleaned too long

Small changes to the routine make a large difference over years.

A ring worn every day should be checked regularly, even when it looks fine. At a service we check the claws and settings, clean the piece properly, polish the metal and re-rhodium white gold where needed.

Bring the ring in straight away if:

• the stone moves
• a claw feels loose
• the band has a crack or a deep scratch
• the ring has taken a hard knock
• the fit has changed

Dealing with a loose setting in time is considerably easier than replacing a lost diamond.

For more serious damage we can also help with restoration after a knock or an accident, recutting stones, and rebuilding existing rings and pieces. Each restoration is quoted separately depending on its scope.

Keep this list as a simple routine:

• Take jewelry off for training, cleaning and gardening.
• Avoid chlorine, salt water and strong cleaners.
• Clean rings with lukewarm water and mild soap every other week.
• Always brush gently under the setting, where dirt collects.
• Store each piece separately, somewhere dry and cool.
• Have settings and claws checked at least once a year.

For every ring we make, we offer ongoing care to keep it at its best:

• Cleaning and polishing.
• Prong tightening and inspection.
• Rhodium re-plating (white gold).
• Resizing, one complimentary adjustment within 60 days of delivery, and further adjustments as a service thereafter.

Restoration after damage, recutting a stone, or a full remodel are quoted separately.