Jewellery care

Put jewellery on after perfume, lotion and hairspray have dried, and take it off before bed, before the shower and before any kind of exercise. Most of the dulling we see is not wear — it is residue from products and water sitting on the surface.

Swimming pools, hot tubs, sea water and household cleaners are the four things to keep pieces away from. Chlorine and salt water are especially hard on pearls and on gold settings that hold stones.

Warm water with a drop of mild, unscented soap and a very soft brush is all solid gold needs. Rinse briefly, pat dry with a soft cloth and leave the piece out to air for a few minutes before wearing or storing it.

Avoid abrasive polishes, ultrasonic cleaners, toothpaste and silver dips on gold — they remove the fine surface finish rather than restoring it. If a piece looks tired, send it to us and we will polish it properly.

Pearls are organic and softer than the metals they are set in. Wipe them with a soft, dry cloth after each wear to remove oils from the skin, and never soak them, use soap on them or clean them in an ultrasonic bath.

Store pearl pieces separately — in their own pouch, away from metal that could scratch the surface — and keep them out of direct sunlight and dry heat, which can dull the lustre over time.

Most faceted stones are cleaned the same way as gold: warm water, mild soap, a soft brush. Softer and treated stones — emerald, opal, tanzanite, turquoise and anything with a surface treatment — should never go into an ultrasonic cleaner and should be kept away from heat and chemicals.

Check settings from time to time. If a stone feels loose or a claw looks worn, stop wearing the piece and write to us before it is lost.

Store each piece separately in the pouch or case it arrived in. Pieces that touch will scratch each other, and chains stored loose will tangle and stretch.

Keep the case closed and dry — a bathroom shelf is the worst place for jewellery. Silica sachets in a drawer help in humid climates, which is the main cause of tarnish.