You've just been gifted the most gorgeous sterling silver or gold item of jewellery. It's only natural that you'll want to know how best to take care of it so you can protect it and ensure it lasts as long as possible.
Different metals will have different care instructions, so if you're wondering how best to clean your jewellery, here is a quick breakdown of what you need to do.
How to clean your sterling silver jewellery
Sterling silver is a soft metal that can actually mark and scar if knocked. It also tarnishes over time when exposed to air. It needs regular looking after if you want to protect it and ensure your jewellery lasts as long as possible.
The best way to look after your sterling silver jewellery is to make sure it's the last thing you put on before you leave the house and the first thing you remove when you get home.
Here are some simple guidelines to follow to keep your jewellery looking its best:
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Avoid contact with soap, perfume, and household chemicals.
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Remove it before bathing or swimming, as well as when you’re doing any manual work or exercise (as sweat can make it tarnish).
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Gently wipe the surface with a soft cloth to prevent a build-up of tarnish.
You can remove tarnish by lightly cleaning your jewellery with a soft bristle brush (such as an old baby's toothbrush), and using gentle washing-up liquid and warm water. Rinse with water and leave to dry.
Clean your jewellery - engraved products
Engraved products, in particular, need a little extra looking after, as you'll want to keep them looking sharp. The more you wear them, the more likely the engraved sections will fade and get less visible over time, due to scratching. We recommend you only use a soft cloth to polish them - do not use any chemicals or polish on your engraved silver.
Gold-plated jewellery
Gold plate can wear over time, depending on how often you wear your jewellery. To keep your jewellery looking pretty, use non-abrasive cleaning products intended specifically for use on gold.
Looking after your leather products
Leather is a natural product and needs to be looked after if you want it to last. Do not expose leather to excess heat, as this can cause fading. You also want to avoid getting leather products wet, as moisture is really not good for leather! If it does accidentally get wet, blot as much liquid as you can and allow it to dry naturally.
Stainless steel
Stainless steel has a high resistance to corrosion when exposed to moisture. To prevent tarnishing, clean it regularly with a soft cloth.
Different metals will have different care instructions, but if you want to keep your jewellery looking shiny and new, you need to put effort into looking after it. By following the advice above, you'll know how to effectively clean your jewellery and will be doing all you can to ensure your jewellery is in tip-top condition and something that is much loved, treasured and admired for some time to come.
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