How do I look after my jewelry?

There are many factors which have an influence on the condition of jewelry. Therefore, you should make sure that your jewelry is properly worn, cleaned and stored. Always protect your jewelry as much as possible from knocks, scratches, animals, chemicals, water, sunlight, heat and cold to minimise the effects. In this sense, we do not recommended to wear jewelry when you are sleeping, going into water or participating in sporting activities.

Water will contribute to tarnishing of your jewelry. Therefore, always remove your jewelry before entering water. Chemicals as found in soaps, cleaning products and swimming pools will increase the tarnishing process. Also, watch out for beauty products such as perfume, hair spray and make-up. We recommend to put on your jewelry after you are fully dressed and have finished your hair and make-up. We advise to remove jewelry before engaging in any form of physical exercise. This will ensure that your delicate jewelry is not accidentally damaged. Besides, perspiration also affects jewelry.

How do I store my jewelry?

Silver jewelry oxidises naturally with air, light and humidity. In order to avoid oxidation, keep your silver jewelry in a closed bag that is protected from air and store it in a dark space. We strongly advise to store your jewelry separately, so that they don’t tangle up or rub and scratch against each other. We do not recommend to store jewelry next to heating vents, windowsills or in the bathroom.

How do I clean my jewelry?

For silver and gold-plated jewelry, occasional cleaning with a special cloth will keep the silver shiny and remove the oxidation. To brighten up your silver pieces we recommend using a silver dip solution. Always ensure you clean your item after silver dipping with warm soapy water and a soft toothbrush. For gold-plated items, you can use warm soapy water and a soft toothbrush to remove any dirt. However, cleaning will not bring back any shine of the original plating. We recommend a re-plating of your item if you want to give it its sparkle back. Take extra care when cleaning jewelry with gemstones and pearls. When you are unsure, please contact us for further assistance.

If you have any further questions regarding jewelry maintenance, then contact us at shopshopshop@wouters-hendrix.com.