Jewellery Care

How to Care for Your Jewellery

Your jewellery is handmade in small batches using recycled sterling silver and traditional techniques. With gentle cleaning and mindful storage, your pieces can stay beautiful for many years. This guide explains how to care for sterling silver, oxidised finishes, and plated jewellery made in my studio.

General Daily Care

Wear your jewellery regularly. Natural oils from your skin help slow tarnish.

Avoid contact with chemicals. Remove pieces before swimming, showering, cleaning, exercising, or applying perfume, lotions, hairspray, and sunscreen.

Add jewellery last. Apply beauty products first and allow them to dry before putting jewellery on.

Remove for hands-on tasks. Protect pieces from knocks, abrasion and environmental damage.

Caring for Sterling Silver

Sterling silver naturally develops tarnish over time, especially when exposed to humidity, sweat, air pollutants, or certain cosmetic products. This is normal and reversible.

Light cleaning

For regular upkeep:

Mix a small amount of mild dish soap with lukewarm water.

Soak your jewellery briefly.

Gently clean with a soft cloth or soft toothbrush if needed.

Rinse thoroughly in clean water.

Dry fully with a soft, lint-free cloth.

For minor tarnish

Use a soft silver polishing cloth. These gently lift tarnish without scratching the metal.

Avoid

To protect the finish and texture of your jewellery, avoid:

Silver dips or chemical tarnish removers

Abrasive cloths or paper towels

Ultrasonic cleaners

Toothpaste or household cleaners

Any strong polishing agents

These methods can scratch the surface, damage textures, or remove intentional finishes.

Caring for Oxidised Jewellery

Some pieces are intentionally darkened to create an oxidised finish. This surface treatment is delicate and will naturally soften with wear, adding character to the piece.

To preserve the oxidised finish:

Clean only with a soft, dry cloth.

Avoid silver dips, polishing cloths, or any chemical cleaners.

Do not scrub or use toothbrushes on oxidised areas.

Store separately to prevent rubbing against brighter silver pieces.

Oxidised jewellery should be maintained gently — not polished back to bright silver.

Caring for Plated Jewellery

Some jewellery features selective gold plating. Plated surfaces naturally wear over time, especially with friction or chemical exposure.

To help prolong the finish:

Avoid moisture, lotions, perfumes, and sweat.

Remove jewellery before exercising, showering, or swimming.

Store separately to avoid surface rubbing.

Clean with a soft, dry cloth only — no polishes or dips.

Storage Tips

Store jewellery in airtight pouches, closed boxes, or tarnish-resistant bags.

Keep pieces in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.

Use silica gel packets (found often in new handbags, purses and similar products to absorb moisture) or anti-tarnish strips to reduce moisture.

Store pieces separately to prevent scratches or tangling.

Remove jewellery before sleeping or showering.

If Your Jewellery Needs Extra Care

If a piece becomes heavily tarnished or needs specific advice, feel free to get in touch. Some finishes — especially oxidised or plated surfaces — need particular handling, and I’m happy to advise on the best approach.

Need Help?

If you have any questions about caring for your jewellery, or you're unsure how to look after a particular piece, please contact me via the Contact page.