Jewellery care

Jewellery is an investment that deserves proper care and maintenance. Taking the time to look after your jewellery is just as crucial as choosing the right piece in the first place. Each item of jewellery requires its own unique attention to stay looking its best. If you’re unsure about how to go about caring for and cleaning your jewellery, we’ve got you covered!

Here are Owen & Jones expert tips on how to care for your jewellery

Daily care

• Handle your jewellery with care at all times.
• Remove your jewellery before using any corrosive products that may cause permanent damage to the precious metals, stones, or pearls.
• Consider your daily activities when wearing jewellery, particularly in relation to potential impacts.
• Keep your jewellery away from intense heat sources and avoid exposure to extreme temperature fluctuations.
• Always remove items of jewellery before swimming
• Avoid sleeping in your jewellery to help slow down wear and tear on stone settings and twisting of chains

Check your jewellery

It is important to remember that your gold rings, diamond earrings, gold chains, and other jewellery pieces require periodic cleaning, especially if they are worn frequently. We recommend you assess your collection every 6 to 12 months to determine if they need a proper polish to maintain their brilliance and integrity.
It is good practice to get the security of any stone settings professionally checked regularly; we would advise a yearly check-up as a minimum on frequently worn items.

Avoid Chemical Exposure

If your jewellery contains more sensitive gems such as pearls, opal, lapis lazuli, coral, turquoise or emeralds, or if in general it contains a significant cluster of stones, we recommend the task of cleaning it should be entrusted to one of our specialists at the Shop here in Hungerford.
If it does not include these types of stone, you may carry out the cleaning yourself. Gently brush your diamond rings, earrings, necklaces or bracelets using warm soapy water an old soft toothbrush or similar can prove useful getting behind the diamonds or gemstones Brush the jewellery delicately with a very soft small brush in lukewarm soapy water, carefully rinse it in lukewarm water and wipe it with a soft cloth.
Once every year or so, we would suggest that you leave your pieces of jewellery with us at Owen & Jones to have them thoroughly checked and cleaned by one of our in-house goldsmiths.
For pearls or gems strung on natural silk re-stringing is advised every year when worn often or every three if worn for more special or infrequent occasions.

If you have that special event coming up and would like your jewellery to look like new again, Owen & Jones provide a professional cleaning service in our onsite workshop. At the same time, we will check for loose stones or adverse wear and tear. Please contact us to find out more.

A simple polishing cloth can do wonders

Fine microfiber polishing cloths, like the one you use to clean your glasses, is an alternative to aggressive cleansing methods. This is also a quicker option, to quickly clean your pendants, and gold rings bring their gleam back.

Utilise an ultrasonic cleaner but proceed with caution.

Although using an ultrasonic cleaner to clean your jewellery is a great idea, proceed with caution. Under the strain of the cleansing, some “softer” stones and jewels may chip or crack. The action of the ultrasonic may also loosen stones and can cause them to fall out. The cleaner is suitable for all precious metals, necklaces, and diamond rings.
Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions. If you have any doubts about using the ultrasonic on your jewellery, please contact us at Owen & Jones and we will be more than happy to advise you.

Store your jewellery well

When jewellery pieces come into contact with one another, they get scratched. We advise you to keep each piece separately in the Owen and Jones case that came with your purchase.
To prevent knots from forming, chains should be kept flat and their clasps closed.
It is highly recommended that you avoid storing multiple items of jewellery together without protection. Good quality jewellery boxes or vanity cases that have individual slots for rings, necklaces bracelets and more are a good option.

Following these tips will help you take better care of your jewellery.
We understand how important and precious your collection is. Use these simple steps to help your keep your pieces in great shape and last for many years to come.