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Care & Cleaning

Jewellery cleaning productsJewellery cleaning products

How do I make sure my jewellery stays in great condition? Your jewellery should of course be handled with care at all times - avoid catching or pulling it and handle gently when putting on or storing.

However, even the effects of everyday life can reduce the brilliance and impact of your jewellery. Perfumes or hairsprays, perspiration, body oils and soap residue can all make your jewellery appear less sparkly and new with each day of wear.

So we recommend that you clean your jewellery on a regular basis to ensure its brilliance lasts as long as possible. Take a look at our recommended cleaning products or read on for more advice on jewellery care.

Caring for your jewellery

Jewellery care doesn't need to be complicated. Here are our top tips to keep your jewellery in great conditon:

> Remove your jewellery when sleeping, cooking or cleaning, bathing or showering

> Don't wear your jewellery during sporting activities including swimming, as chlorine is especially damaging to jewellery

> Always remove your jewellery when applying beauty products or just put your jewellery on last when getting ready

> Avoid exposing the jewellery to harsh chemicals, including ammonia, bleach, chlorine and salt water

> Rinse off any chemicals that do come into contact with your jewellery in day to day life

> Clean your jewellery regularly and inspect it for any faults or signs of wear that need addressing or repairing

Different types of jewellery also have some specific care tips. For example, always undo the clasp to remove a bracelet rather than pulling it straight off (unless it is elasticated and designed in this way).

The amount of tarnishing (oxidation) that occurs is dependent on the skin and care habits of the wearer. Tarnishing is therefore not a manufacturing fault but rather a natural property of Sterling Silver. But you can minimise tarnish by cleaning and storing your jewellery correctly.

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Storing your jewellery

All sterling silver will tarnish over time, but it will happen much faster when it comes into contact with agents such as perfume, salty air, sulphur, skin creams, hairspray, chlorine and acidic skin ph.

But even just leaving your jewellery out in the open can speed up the tarnishing process. So we recommend storing your jewellery effectively to keep it looking great. Plus it keeps your house tidy!

Top tips to store your jewellery for maximum protection:

> Jewellery should be stored away from natural sunlight and heat, in a protective (lined) jewellery box or a tarnish-resistant pouch.

> The box in which your item came can also be useful for storage. However it is often convenient to use a jewellery box where many items can be stored together.

> Jewellery can also be stored in a plastic zip lock bag made of Mylar or polyethylene. Never use polyvinyl plastic bags, such as bin liners as they contain sulphur compounds, which will make sterling silver tarnish faster.

Don't store your jewellery in the bathroom due to the moisture content of the air.

Use of specialised cleaning products before storing your jewellery can also help reduce tarnish and keep your jewellery sparkling. Think of these as beauty treatments for your jewellery. Even a quick polish with the right jewellery cleaning cloth will keep your jewellery looking fresh after it comes out of storage to be worn.

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Cleaning your jewellery

How should I clean my jewellery? In order to care for your jewellery, we recommend using a polishing cloth on a regular basis to keep your jewellery looking its best. These are available to clean silver jewellery or to clean gold and platinum jewellery

Use a polishing cloth regularly to combat the effects of everyday. This will also help to prevent the natural process of tarnishing. Tarnish (a browning effect) happens to sterling silver jewellery and is a completely normal effect, although not one we want to see on our jewellery. Wearing your jewellery regularly, cleaning it properly and storing it effectively will all help to reduce tarnish.

> If you need a deeper clean, you can wash your jewellery using lukewarm soapy water and a soft brush, but ensure that it isn't submerged fully for any length of time.

> For any heavy tarnish on silver jewellery, a specialised silver jewellery cleaning product can be used for shiny silver that doesn't include oxidised detail. Or try Dazzle Drops for an all-in-one clean that cleans, polishes and protects.

> For gold and precious jewellery, you can use Precious and Gold Jewellery Cleaner or Dazzle Drops, plus don't forget your polishing cloth or beauty wipes for a convenient travel solution.

> For diamonds, you can't go past the Diamond Dazzle Stik for the quickest sparkle ever, in a convenient pen brush design.

We don't recommend the use of silver dip for oxidised Sterling Silver Jewellery (blackened silver, or jewellery with blackened effects on part of the piece) as it may destroy the delicate oxidised details of your jewellery, where this is a feature. Just use a polishing cloth lightly to keep it clean.

As for jewellery storage, we stock a collection of gorgeous jewellery storage options by Stackers in our Leigh-on-Sea jewellery store. Take a look at the Stackers website for inspiration and visit us in store to find your perfect jewellery storage solution.

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