Simple Jewellery Care Tips
DOS
- Store your jewellery individually in pouches or in a soft lined box.
- Clean your pieces often. Use a soft lint-free cloth to wipe your jewellery to avoid scratches and damage or wash with mild soap and lukewarm water.
- Put on your jewellery after applying make-up, perfume, lotions, creams or hairspray.
- Remove your jewellery when showering, bathing or swimming in the pool or sea.
- Remove your jewellery when you are sleeping.
DONTS
- Do not expose jewellery to household cleaners, strong cleaning agents, solvents or harsh chemicals such as bleach, sulphur or chlorine.
- Do not subject your pieces to sudden changes of temperature and extremes of cold and heat.
- Avoid contact sports, exercise and other physical activities such as housework or gardening that may damage your pieces.
- Avoid hard knocks, scratching or dropping your jewellery.
METALS
- Silver will tarnish naturally when exposed to air. Storing silver pieces in an airtight bag may reduce tarnishing. A silver cleaner may also be used to clean sterling silver pieces.
- White gold generally may require re- plating every few years.
- Clasps and prongs may need regular adjustments depending on wear and tear.
- Metals are best cleaned with a soft, lint-free cloth. Do not use paper towels or tissue as they can cause scratching.
STONES
- Clean after wearing with a soft, untreated cloth to remove skin oils, fingerprints and cosmetics.
- Very porous stones such as turquoise should be cleaned using a dry soft chemical-free cloth. Such stones should not have prolonged immersion in water.
- Avoid chemicals, cleaners, extreme temperatures, humidity and prolonged exposure to sunlight.
- Do not use paper towels or tissue as they can cause scratching.
BEADS
- Wooden beads can be cleaned with a soft cloth and a little olive oil. Be careful not to get oil on the cord.
- Gemstone beads should be cared for as described above.
- The cord can be cleaned with a damp, soft cloth.
- Frequently worn beads should be restrung as needed.