Fine jewellery is made to be worn, not kept in a drawer, and a little care at home will keep a piece bright for decades. None of it takes long, and most of it is a matter of habit rather than effort. A few minutes a month is usually enough to keep gold, diamonds and pearls looking as they did on the day they were collected. The habits are simple, and they protect the piece for the long years ahead.
Cleaning gold, platinum and diamonds
For gold, platinum and diamonds, warm water with a drop of mild washing-up liquid and a soft brush is enough. Work the brush gently around the setting and behind the stone, where soap and hand cream collect, then rinse the piece and pat it dry with a lint-free cloth. Do this over a bowl rather than the sink, so a loose stone cannot disappear down the drain. If the setting is intricate, a soft brush is better than a cloth, because a cloth cannot reach the spaces behind the claws where dirt hides the light. A diamond will hold its sparkle far better if it is cleaned this way once a month.
When to take a ring off
Take rings off for the gym and the garden, where a knock can loosen a claw or bend a band. Take them off in a swimming pool too, because chlorine is hard on metal and on the settings that hold a stone. The same goes for hand cream and hairspray: let them sink in before you put a ring back on, so they do not collect under the stone and dull it.
Store pieces separately in the Elsworth pouches they arrive in. A diamond is hard enough to scratch gold, so a bracelet and a ring that share a drawer will not stay perfect for long. A soft pouch for each piece is the simplest way to keep them apart, and it keeps chains from tangling as well. If a piece is worn every day, a quick wipe with a soft cloth at night will help too.
Pearls are the exception
Pearls are the exception to almost every rule above. They are soft and porous, so they should never be soaked or scrubbed. Put them on last and take them off first, wipe them with a soft, dry cloth after wearing, and keep them away from perfume and hairspray. Store them flat rather than hanging, so the thread that holds them stays relaxed. A pearl is a living thing grown in water, and it likes the same care you would give your skin: warmth, gentleness and nothing harsh.
Once a year, bring your pieces to either salon for a complimentary clean, polish and claw check. It is a small visit that keeps a lifetime of wear safe, and it is always a pleasure to see familiar pieces come back to the bench. We will tell you honestly if anything needs attention, and where we can we will put it right while you wait. There is no charge for the visit, and no obligation attached to it.
