Jewellery Care

Jewellery is to be worn and enjoyed but sometimes it needs a little help to keep it looking beautiful! Here are some tips on how to care for your jewellery.

General Information

• Remove jewellery when bathing, swimming, using a sauna, applying make-up or doing household chores. Cosmetics, perfumes, creams, hairsprays, swimming pool chemicals, cleaning chemicals and perspiration can damage jewellery.
• Clean with a soft jewellery cloth and mild soapy water if needed. Gently clean the backs of set gemstones with a soft toothbrush to bring back the beauty of the cut and faceted stones.
• Check gemstone settings regularly.
• Keep your jewellery in separate compartments in a jewellery box or in a pouch to prevent it getting scratched. Gemstones have different hardnesses, and the harder gemstones will scratch the surface of softer gemstones, as well as pearls, silver and gold, if allowed to rattle together.
• A sealable plastic bag will keep air away from the silver and prevent it tarnishing.

Pearls

Pearls are very delicate and may be easily damaged permanently by perfume, hairspray and cosmetics containing alcohols or acids. Apply perfume and make-up before you put on your pearls and let it dry first. Perspiration can also dull pearls. Use a soft damp cloth to wipe the pearls and if necessary wash them in mild soapy water but don't soak them. Keep them away from heat. Do not use jewellery cleaning solutions.

Pearl and gemstone necklaces should be re-strung every 2 years, or at the first sign of fraying.

Lapis Lazuli

Lapis lazuli is soft like coral and turquoise and will chip easily if dropped. Always store carefully to avoid scratches to the gemstones. Avoid contact with perfumes, hair sprays and household chemicals. Put your jewellery on after you have applied makeup and perfume. If your lapis gemstone becomes very dull you can rub a little wax polish onto the surface. Use a soft damp cloth to wipe them but never immerse Lapis in water as this will remove the protective coating on the stones. Never use liquid jewellery cleaners.

Turquoise

Turquoise is a porous, chalky and fragile gemstone. It will chip and scratch easily if treated roughly. Always store carefully in a separate compartment.

Turquoise should not be immersed in water and should not be subjected to chemical contact. This can cause it to change colour - usually turning more green. Use a damp cloth to wipe the surface to clean. Never use an ultrasonic cleaner or jewellery dip.