Caring for Fine Jewellery
Most damage we repair is not dramatic. It is accumulated: a loosened prong nobody checked, a chain thinned by daily friction, a stone dulled by hand cream.
Cleaning at home
For diamonds and hard coloured stones, warm water with a drop of unscented washing-up liquid and a soft toothbrush is all that is needed. Brush behind the stone, where the film that dulls sparkle collects, then rinse and pat dry.
Do not do this with pearls, opals, emeralds, or turquoise. Porous and treated stones should only be wiped with a soft damp cloth.
What to avoid
A few habits account for most of the wear we see:
- Wearing rings while cleaning — chlorine and bleach attack alloys and can weaken prongs permanently
- Sleeping in earrings and bracelets, which bends posts and stretches links
- Applying lotion or perfume with jewellery on
- Ultrasonic cleaners on treated, fractured, or organic stones
- Removing rings by pulling on the head rather than the band
Storage
Diamonds scratch everything, including other diamonds. Store pieces separately in soft pouches or a lined box with dividers, rather than loose together in a dish.
Chains should be laid flat or hung. Silver benefits from an airtight bag; pearls need the opposite, as they dry out if sealed away.
Professional servicing
Have anything worn daily checked once a year. We inspect prongs, tighten stones, refinish surfaces, and re-plate white gold at no charge for pieces bought from us — see our lifetime warranty.
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