Jewelry care
When you are not wearing your jewelry it is best to store it in a box or cloth pouch in a dry place. Storing multiple items of jewelry together may scratch the surfaces of the jewels so it is best to store them all separately.
STONE SET JEWELRY
Items set with stones require particular care and attention. Rings are particularly vulnerable to shocks that occur in everyday life as they are more exposed than earrings or necklaces. If your item of jewelry falls on a hard surface, make sure your stones are undamaged or haven't become loosened by the shock. It is important to clean stone-set jewelry frequently as dirt and grime may accumulate around or underneath the stone. To clean your stone-set jewelry, you can place it in some warm water with a few drops of liquid dish soap and let it soak. When you remove it from the water/soap mixture, brush it gently with a soft bristle toothbrush, rinse, and gently air dry. Scrubbing too hard may scratch the surface of certain stones or the polish of the metal. Cleaning gold vermeil in this manner may accelerate the process of the gold plating wearing off, so infrequent cleaning is best. Opals, pearls, turquoise, and coral should never be left to soak in warm water as this will damage them. Instead, it is advised to clean them under lukewarm running water.
Gold
Gold does not oxidize or change appearance over time, however, jewelry, and especially rings, should be cleaned regularly to keep it looking its best. To clean your gold jewelry, place it in some warm water with a few drops of liquid dish soap and let it soak. When you remove it from the water/soap mixture, brush it gently with a soft bristle toothbrush, rinse, and gently air dry. Scrubbing too hard may scratch the surface. If you wish to make it extra shiny, you can use a gold cleaning and polishing cloth that is made specifically for this purpose. These are available online and in jewelry stores.
SILVER
Sterling silver can oxidize and darken if not worn. This is a completely natural process that can easily be reversed. You can restore its shine with a silver cleaning and polishing cloth that is made specifically for this purpose. These are available online and in jewelry stores. Silver jewelry should be cleaned regularly in the same manner described above for gold pieces.
GOLD VERMEIL
Gold vermeil refers to an item of jewelry made in sterling silver plated with a thick layer of 24 karat gold. Gold plating will wear off in time and the silver beneath will start to shine through. How long this takes depends on the pH of your skin, the amount of wear and environment the piece is exposed to. Avoid contact with detergents or chemicals of any kind as this may tarnish the finish. It is also advisable to remove your rings when gardening, cleaning or going to the beach. If you would like your item of jewelry to be re-plated, we offer a gold plating service for a small fee. Gold vermeil jewelry should be cleaned less frequently and more gently than silver or gold.