Take It Off for Hands-On Tasks
Remove jewellery before exercise, gardening, cleaning, heavy lifting, swimming or anything likely to knock, bend or scratch it.
JEWELLERY CARE
Made to Be Kept
A little care helps preserve the finish, detail and meaning of the jewellery you wear every day. Use this guide for sterling silver, vermeil finishes, lockets and personalised keepsakes.
EVERYDAY CARE
Simple Habits, Longer Life
Most wear comes from ordinary routines. These four habits help protect silver surfaces, delicate finishes, engraved details and moving parts.
Keep Chemicals Away
Avoid chlorine, bleach, household cleaners and strong chemicals. Put jewellery on after perfume, lotion, sunscreen and hair products.
Store It Separately
Keep each piece in a soft pouch, jewellery box or separate compartment. This reduces scratching, tangling and rubbing between pieces.
Notice Small Changes
If a clasp, hinge, jump ring or setting feels loose, bent or different, stop wearing the piece until it can be checked.
KNOW YOUR FINISH
Care for Silver & Vermeil
Tarnish Is Natural
Sterling silver can darken over time as it reacts with air, moisture, skin chemistry and everyday products. This is normal and does not mean the silver is damaged.
Wipe gently after wear and store dry. For plain polished sterling silver, a silver polishing cloth can help restore brightness.
Protect the Plated Surface
Vermeil is a layer of gold over sterling silver. Friction, chemicals, sweat and repeated polishing can gradually wear the surface, so treat it more gently than plain silver.
Use a soft dry or slightly damp cloth. Avoid silver polish, abrasive cloths and vigorous rubbing on plated areas.
Keep Engraving Crisp
Handwriting, fingerprints, paw prints, crests and other engraved details may include darkened or oxidised areas for contrast. Avoid aggressive polishing directly over those details.
Clean around the design gently so the contrast and fine lines remain as clear as possible.
AT-HOME CLEANING
For Plain Sterling Silver
This gentle method is suitable for many plain sterling-silver pieces. Do not use it for lockets containing photographs, pearls, mother of pearl, opals, glued elements or delicate plated finishes.
Warm, Mild Soapy Water
Add a small amount of mild soap to lukewarm water and briefly soak plain silver to loosen everyday residue.
Brush Gently
If needed, use a very soft toothbrush with light pressure around crevices, chains and textured areas.
Rinse Carefully
Rinse with clean lukewarm water. If you are near a sink, make sure the drain is securely closed.
Dry Completely
Pat dry with a clean lint-free cloth and allow the piece to air-dry fully before storing it.
Do not use:
toothpaste, baking soda, scouring powders, hard brushes, bleach or chlorine.
Avoid dips and strong silver cleaners on plated, oxidised, personalised or mixed-material pieces.
LOCKETS & KEEPSAKES
Protect What’s Inside
Lockets carry more than jewellery. They may hold photographs, tiny keepsakes or delicate interior details, so they need a slightly different routine.
Keep the Interior Dry
Do not submerge a locket once a photograph or paper insert has been added. Remove it before showering, swimming or bathing.
Open & Close Gently
Use the intended edge or clasp to open your locket. Avoid pulling, twisting or forcing the hinge beyond its natural range.
Clean the Outside Only
For a filled locket, wipe the exterior with a soft dry or barely damp cloth. Keep moisture away from the photograph and interior cavity.
Store It Closed
When not worn, close the locket and keep it flat in a soft pouch or box so the hinge, clasp and surface are protected.
MOTHER OF PEARL, PEARLS & DELICATE INLAYS
Avoid soaking these pieces. Wipe gently with a soft, slightly damp cloth and dry immediately. Keep them away from perfume, hairspray, acids and abrasive cleaners.
GOOD HABITS
Do
- Put jewellery on after skincare, fragrance and hair products.
- Wipe pieces gently after wear, especially after warm or humid days.
- Keep chains fastened when stored to reduce tangling.
- Store silver in a dry, soft-lined place away from direct sunlight and humidity.
- Contact us if a hinge, clasp or personalised detail needs attention.
AVOID
Don’t
- Wear jewellery in pools, hot tubs or the sea.
- Use abrasive polish on vermeil, oxidised or darkened engraving.
- Submerge a locket containing a photograph or paper insert.
- Store pieces loose together where surfaces can rub and scratch.
- Force a clasp, hinge or chain if it feels caught or misaligned.
JEWELLERY CARE FAQ
Good to Know
Why is my sterling silver becoming darker?
Sterling silver naturally reacts with air, moisture and substances in the environment.
This can create tarnish over time. Gentle cleaning and dry storage usually help restore
and preserve its appearance.
Can I shower with my jewellery on?
We recommend removing it. Soap, shampoo, conditioner and moisture can leave residue,
accelerate tarnish or shorten the life of plated finishes. Lockets containing photographs
should always be kept dry.
Can I swim in sterling silver jewellery?
We recommend removing jewellery before swimming. Chlorine, salt water and pool chemicals
can affect silver surfaces and plated finishes, and jewellery is easier to lose in water.
Can I use a silver polishing cloth?
A suitable silver polishing cloth can be used gently on plain polished sterling silver.
Avoid aggressive polishing on gold or rose-gold vermeil, oxidised details, darkened engraving,
pearls, mother of pearl and other delicate surfaces.
How should I clean a photo locket?
Do not soak it. Keep the interior and photograph dry. Wipe the exterior gently with a soft,
dry or barely damp cloth, then dry it immediately before closing and storing.
Will gold or rose-gold vermeil change with wear?
Vermeil is a precious-metal finish over sterling silver and can gradually wear with friction,
chemicals and repeated exposure to moisture. Gentle handling, dry storage and avoiding abrasive
polish will help prolong the finish.
How should I store necklaces and chains?
Fasten the clasp, lay the chain flat or hang it separately, and keep it away from other pieces
that may catch or scratch it. A soft pouch or individual compartment works well.
NEED ADVICE?
We’re Here to Help
If you are unsure how to clean a personalised piece, locket or special finish, send us a clear photo and your order details.