Jewellery Care

To keep your jewellery looking fabulous, it helps to understand what can affect it, beyond simple surface dirt.


What is tarnish?

All metal jewellery can tarnish, with the exception of platinum and pure gold. Tarnishing is a natural chemical reaction which can cause jewellery to dull and discolour due to oxidisation caused by exposure to air, moisture and everyday chemicals. Tarnishing is also affected by your body's chemistry as natural sweat, skin oils, and pH levels affect how fast and intensely a piece will tarnish.


What is patina?

While tarnish is a temporary surface reaction that is usually considered undesirable, metals can develop a more stable, and valued, rich natural patina over time. Patina, again caused by oxidisation, results in a soft darkening or variation in colour that gives each piece its own unique character. While tarnish can degrade the surface of your jewellery, patina provides a protective shield and is more uniform and bonded than tarnish.

Put simply, tarnish happens when jewellery is on display or stored away whereas patina develops when you wear the piece and let it experience life with you. 😍


Am I turning into the Incredible Hulk?!

Copper, brass and bronze can sometimes leave a green mark on the skin. As with oxidisation, this is a harmless natural reaction and is more common with jewellery worn close to the skin, such as rings. Some people never get a green mark, some always do. Again, things like your body's pH levels and beauty products can influence this. The green mark washes away easily with soap and water.


How do I keep my jewellery sparkly?

It is easy to care for your jewellery and by following some simple steps you can keep it bright and sparkly for many years to come:

  • Avoid getting your jewellery wet. Take particular care if with set sea glass or translucent gemstones as water in the setting can cause discolouration that cannot be removed. Take jewellery off before washing, swimming or activities where you will sweat, such as working out.
  • Avoid contact with perfumes, lotions and cleaning products. Think 'last on, first off'. Put jewellery on last, after letting your perfume and beauty products absorb and dry and take it off first at the end of the day.
  • Preferably store jewellery in airtight containers, such as small ziploc bags. Not always practical, but something to consider with jewellery you don't wear for long periods of time.
  • Regular light buffing with a jewellery polishing cloth can help maintain the original shine. Be extra gentle on areas with a matt or patinated finish so not to lose the effect. Remember that some silver and copper jewellery is deliberately oxidised to give it a vintage look.
  • Wear your lovely jewellery regularly. Regular wear naturally polishes your jewellery as it rubs against your skin and clothes.


Wear often • Store dry • Polish gently


Deep cleaning

If your jewellery needs a deeper clean, brush very gently with a soft toothbrush and the following:

Silver

Warm water with mild soap.

Brass & Bronze

Paste made from a splash of lemon juice and pinch of baking soda.*

Copper

A pinch of salt dissolved in lemon juice or vinegar.* Do not use this on patinated copper jewellery - gently clean only with mild soap and water, avoid harsh chemical dips or abrasive cloths that strip the intentional aged finish.

Sea Glass

Warm water with mild soap for loose hanging sea glass. If your sea glass is set, just give it a rub with a lint free cloth dampened slightly with water or rubbing alcohol as its its important to avoid getting water in the setting which can result in tarnish that can't be removed.

In all cases, rinse in warm water and dry immediately and thoroughly with a soft cloth or a hair dryer.


*When cleaning jewellery with anything acidic, avoid gemstones and delicate components.