Caring For Jewellery

We put a lot of loving care into the design and construction of all our hand crafted jewellery. Here is some simmple advice on how to care for it in the years to come.

Caring for Sterling Silver

Over time silver will often tarnish, this is caused by the oxygen and moisture in the air. Tarnish is not permenant, however. Storing it in an air tight container will help to prevent tarnish. If you need clean silver jewellery use a pure cotton cloth to help prevent scratches. While Ultrasonic cleaners will clean jewellery they will not remove tarnish.

Cleaning and Caring for your Stones

Amber can be scratched easily. Use only warm soapy water to clean. Never use ultrasonic cleaners or steam. It can be damaged by acids and alcohol. Remove when you work

Amethyst

Remove amethyst jewellery before working. It is easily damaged by household cleaners. Store away from direct sunlight as it may fade , it can however by cleaned using an ultrasonic cleaners, but avoid steam cleaning.

Aquamarine

Use warm soapy water or a recognised jewellery clean to clean. Store carefully to prevent scratching. Remove before working.

Blue Topaz

It is recommended to remove before working as this hard gemstone can split with a solid blow. Clean in warm soapy water but avoid high heat as this can alter the colour.

Chalcedony

Wash with warm soapy water or jewellery cleaner and a soft brush. Remove before working or exposure to harsh chemicals.

Citrine

Citrine can be fractured by sudden temperature change and high heat may cause it to loose colour. Remove before doing housework. Ultrasonic cleaning is usually safe for citrine or warm soapy water.

Emerald

Emeralds may fracture when exposed to high heat or dry out if subjected to intense light. Clean gently in warm soapy water, do not scrub! Always remove before working and store carefully.

Garnet

Although garnets are sturdy, some varieties may chip. Remove before doing housework. Sudden change in temperature may cause fractures. Avoid steam cleaning. Ultrasonic is usually OK, but warm soapy water is always safe.

Jade

Jade is exceptionally tough, but better to remove before handling caustics. Clean with warm soapy water and store carefully. Avoid bumping other items.

Opal

Opal is delicate. Always remove before working and handling household cleaners. Exposure to heat or temperature change can cause opals to fracture. Clean in warm soapy water, never use ultrasonic or steam cleaners. Store carefully.

Peridot

Remove peridot jewellery before doing household tasks. Can be damaged by acids, even perspiration. Do not use steam or ultrasonic cleaners.

Rose Quartz

Avoid prolonged exposure to bright lights, temperature changes which may cause fractures. High heat can change the stone’s colour. Use on warm soapy water to clean.

Ruby

Best cleaned with warm soapy water, High heater and chemical can damage certain treated rubies. Store them carefully as they can scratch other softer stones.

Sapphire

Hardy stones, best cleaned with warm soapy water. Store carefully so as not to scratch other stones.

Smokey Quartz

Even though durable, can be damaged by caustics or high heater, which can cause colour loss or facture. Warm soapy water or ultrasonic cleaning are best. Avoid steam cleaning.

Tanzanite

Delicate and beautiful. Sudden temperature changes can cause cleavage or breaks along the stone’s natural internal planes, that are similar to long grain rice. Earrings and pendants are safer choices. Always remove before working or exposure to household chemicals. Clean in warm soapy water and store carefully.

Tourmaline

Generally stable in light, tourmaline’s colour can alter in high heat. Can also cause fracture. Clean only in soapy water, not ultrasonic or steam cleaners.

Pearls

Pearls should always be removed before washing and should be treated with great care. Do not use ultrasonic if there is a flaw in a stone. Please remember this is a general guide only. If in doubt, do not expose jewellery to heat or chemicals.

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