SPECIAL CARE
All jewellery, whether pure precious metal, plated, or made with unique materials requires a certain amount of care to make it last. Some types of jewellery are more delicate than others.
GOLD-PLATED PIECES
I choose the thickest gold-plating appropriate for each piece in an effort to help the plating last for years. All my gold-plating is a minimum of 3 microns thick and a thicker 5 microns for rings, necklaces, or pieces with moving parts that will naturally endure more wear. If/when it does wear, it can be plated again.
All gold-plating is susceptible to wear over time, revealing the metal beneath it. The gentler you are with your gold-plated jewellery, the longer the plating will last. If you have a gold-plated piece, pay special attention to the care advice below.
CLOSED-BEZEL PIECES
When a piece contains a stone or object that has a full piece of metal behind it, this is a closed bezel (Sea-Glass T-Rings, Broken Plate rings). This type of bezel should have minimal water exposure as the water can get in the bezel behind the stone and become trapped.
This can lead to discolouration which could be visibile through lighter/more transparent stones.
THINGS THAT COULD DAMAGE YOUR JEWELLERY
WATER (and the chemicals that may be in it) Water can be very damaging to pieces over time, specificaly in the cases listed below:
- Pools & Hot Tubs (Chlorine)
- Salt Water (Salt)
- Shower (Chemically treated water, soaps, and shampoos)
Ideally you'd avoid all of these all the time - but life happens! If your jewellery is exposed, rinse with clean water and dry well afterwards to minimise the effects of exposure. Repeated exposure will cause damage to any kind of jewellery, but especially gold-plated.
WORKING OUT There are two dangers: Sweat and Physical damage. Ideally, remove your jewellery before any strenuous activity to avoid exposure to sweat. If exposed, rinse in water and pat dry as soon after as possible. If using weights or machines of any kind, I highly recommend removing your jewellery, especially rings.
- Your piece is most likely going to get very scratched, prongs possibly bent, and the shank mishapen.
- Have you ever heard the term 'degloving?' Don't look it up unless you have a strong stomach. Essentially, you can get hurt too.
CLEANING Any form of bleach or caustic cleaner is highly corrosive and can literally eat away your jewellery. Even eco-friendly cleaners like citric acid can cause wear with prolonged exposure. Wear gloves or remove jewellery when cleaning.
COSMETICS Try not to directly spray or apply over your jewellery. Ideally, put on your jewellery after applying cosmetics and once they have fully absorbed. This includes perfumes, sunscreen, hairspray, and lotions.
SLEEPING In an ideal world, you'll remove your jewellery when sleeping, especially necklaces and earrings. This prevents pulling on any joins and additional friction and rubbing that may lead to scratches or wearing down of engraved details, etc.
CLEANING YOUR JEWELLERY
Regular wiping with a soft flannel or microfiber cloth after wearing will help prevent build up of cosmetics and sweats from daily wear. If you do choose to wear your jewellery non-stop, this can be your pat down with a towel after showering.
If deeper cleaning is required, use a mild dish soap, warm water, and a soft cloth just dampened to gently wash away any build up. IF YOU'RE RING HAS A CLOSED BEZEL, DO NOT SUBMERGE THE ENTIRE RING. Rinse with clean water and pat completely dry immediately.
