Jewellery Care

With a little care and attention it is easy to protect your jewellery and keep it looking lovely.Silver can start to tarnish over time which is when the metal may become dull or discoloured. It is a natural chemical reaction of the metal with the air.  A little attentiveness goes a long way in preventing and removing this tarnish.

 

Caring for your Jewellery

  • When not wearing your jewellery store it in a box, or a pouch to prevent tangling or scratches.
  • Store out of direct sunlight and avoid damp humid conditions, as this can encourage tarnishing.
  • Keep your jewellery away from any household chemicals and solvents.
  • Avoid contact with perfumes, hairspray and lotions. When using these always apply some time before putting on your jewellery, and never spray directly onto the jewellery.
  • Avoid wearing your jewellery in the shower or when swimming. 

 

Cleaning Service

I offer a cleaning service to restore and revitalise any of my work you may own.  I charge £30 and this covers return delivery via special delivery in the UK.  Email me at anna@annawales.com to arrange a cleaning service. Please allow 14 days for the return of your jewellery.

Cleaning your jewellery at home

All pieces benefit from a general clean every now and again.  Soak in a basin of warm soapy water for a minute or two.  You can use a soft cloth or an old soft toothbrush to gently remove any stubborn dirt.  Rinse and dry carefully on a soft towel or with some kitchen tissue.

Further steps

Should your jewellery need a more thorough clean I recommend using Silver Foam.   This is a paste that generally comes in a pot with a little sponge. Use with warm water to work into a foam and gently dab and rub over the silver.   This will bring back the silvery shine back to your jewellery.  Make sure you rinse thoroughly and then dry using a soft towel or kitchen tissue.  This can also be used for pieces with Keum-boo.

You can also use Silver Dip. This however is a much harsher chemical so be careful.  Dip your jewellery in the solution for 5 seconds and then rinse VERY thoroughly.  You must not leave any silver dip on the jewellery as this can cause a permanent stain.   I always neutralise the dip by rinsing the jewellery, then putting it in a basin of warm water with bicarbonate of soda, and then rinsing again.  Dry the jewellery using a soft towel or kitchen towel.

Do not dip pieces that have been strung, or contain stones or pearls.

Restoring finishes.

Matt surfaces can begin to polish up over time. This is especially true of rings.  To restore a matt finish you can use a piece of green scouring pad and warm soapy water.  Rub in a circular motion very gently, perhaps starting with the back to test it out.  Rinse and dry well.

I do not recommend doing this to pieces with Keum-boo as you do not want to accidently rub through the gold.

You can use a silver or gold polishing cloth to restore the shine to any polished pieces and to chains.