Care of your jewellery

I find that a light soap or washing up liquid and warm water work wonders !

I don't really use silver dips very much as I keep hearing a rumour that if you start using them on a piece they tarnish more quickly and you have to keep using the. This 'silver dip addiction syndrome' may be a myth ! I need to do a bit more research. If something is dipped in it certainly does sparkle quickly.

If there is an awkward area to get to use an old soft toothbrush (and don't then leave in the bathroom to be accidentally used in a sleep moment).

To revive a matt finish, use a bit of scouring powder.

Polishing cloths work well, but clean your hands before and afterwards so you don't transfer sticky finger prints to your newly polished piece.

Remember that oxidised silver is supposed to look black ! Don't let an over zealous cleaner at it !

Ultrasonic cleaners

Your Jewellery & You

Some people react against various metals. I do not use nickel (the most common culprit for allergies).

Some people cause an increased rate of oxidation (blackening) of silver. This may relate to their perfume or hair products, or from the chlorine in swimming pools. It is not dangerous ! but is more irritating as have to clean the jewellery more. Can help by e.g. changing posts so that they are gold rather than silver.

Try and limit the rate of oxidation by keeping your piece in a clean dry box when not worn. Sealed plastic bags tend to encourage things to oxidise more quickly.

Storing your Jewellery

You should be looking for the perfect combination of :

Safe so no-one is tempted to steal it, but readily accesible so that you can wear it as often as possible.

Each piece of jewellery should be in a separate box / compartment to reduce the risk of scratching.

The area should be dry and free of salt to avoid oxidation.

Glass jewellery should be kept in a hard box to avoid being crushed by a pile of books or anything else that would find its way on my table (I do accept that my desk is particularly risky for small glass items). However the glass that I use is pretty tough and has even survived being dropped from a height onto tiled floors. (not to be recommended as it made me feel sick watching it fall).

Silver will scratch in normal use

I think that this often adds to the character of the piece and is a sign that something is well loved as it has obviously been worn everywhere ! However if you are distressed by a scratched surface, contact me and I can take it back to the original finish it for a small fee.

You can minimise scratches to jewellery by keeping it in separate boxes / compartments in your jewellery box

It is most obvious on pieces with a highly polished surface and on items that are likely to get bashed around a lot in normal use. e.g. keyrings or bangles.

Therefore I would recommend that these items have a finish where scratches will enhance rather than detract from the piece, e.g. if oxidised and /or a textured finish.

Care of gemstones