Jewellery care
As a general rule, your jewellery should be the last part of the outfit you put on and the first thing you take off to help decrease contact with oils, lotions and perfumes as well as avoiding the risk of a piece snagging on an item of clothing which could cause damage to jewellery and garment!
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The type of things you come into contact with everyday; such as pollution, hand creams and cleaning products, can cause the surface of your jewellery and gems to become clouded and lose their brilliance.
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Even the most carefully made settings and fastenings can be worn down over time which could result in the loss of a precious stone or even your beloved piece so we strongly recommend bringing your jewellery in to be checked and cleaned every couple of years if possible.
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When storing your jewellery it's best to store each item separately. This will ensure your pieces do not rub or scratch each other - whilst also avoiding any tangling of chains.
Salt water can speed up the eroding process of the gold plating.
We recommend taking off your jewellery before going swimming in the sea, or before doing any form of physical exercise where your are likely to perspire.
Silver
Keep your silver shiny and new by giving it an occasional buff with a silver polishing cloth which we sell in store.
If you like your silver bright, you may want to store it in a small ziplock bag with some cotton wool to absorb moisture, it may not look pretty but it reduces the amount of oxygen the surface of the metal is exposed to.
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Exposure to salty air, chlorine or materials that contain sulphur (including some papers) can accelerate the oxidising effect but wearing your silver jewellery everyday means it often polishes with wear!
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If a plain silver piece without stones becomes dirty, a quick wash in warm water with a mild detergent and a soft toothbrush should dislodge the daily grime but avoid soaking and dry immediately with a soft cloth before finishing with a silver polishing cloth.
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If your piece needs a little more than that, bring the piece to us and we can do a professional clean on your silver.
Gold
With 9ct or 18ct yellow, rose and white gold, which is less likely to tarnish than Sterling Silver but will still be prone to similar effects of everyday wear and tear. The best way to remove dirt from your gold jewellery is by gently washing it in warm water with a mild detergent and soft toothbrush. Follow up with a quick buff with a gold polishing cloth.
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Have your white gold rings Rhodium plated every one - two years depending on wear and this service is carried out in our workshop.
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Avoid exposing your gold jewellery to bleach or similar substances as this can cause discolouration and corrosion.
Stone set Jewellery
Regularly examine your stone set jewellery to ensure you notice a loose setting as soon as possible. Be careful when cleaning your stone set jewellery as loose stones may be prone to further damage. If you think your stone set jewellery needs a clean or a setting needs readjusting, just pop into our shop in Thurles or Dungarvan where we'll arrange a professional clean & have them checked.
Pearls
Pearls are an organic substance whether they are wild or cultured and so it is very important to take good care of them as they are naturally fragile and particularly sensitive to chemicals, oils and acidity.
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You should wear your pearl jewellery only after applying make-up or perfume, as the alcohol in perfume can damage the nacre. Perspiration can also cause damage.
Polish pearls with a lint free cloth or chamois which could be slightly dampened.
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If they become very dirty, simply bring them to us and we can send them to the workshop for a check and a clean.
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Never allow your pearls to come into contact with harsh cleaning products or detergents, particularly ammonia which can be found in many hair products.
Our pearl bracelets are usually strung in the traditional knotted style. If you notice they have become loose please bring them to us to be restrung which we do in our workshop.
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When taking off your pearl earrings ensure that you hold the metal part of the earring rather than the pearl itself, as to avoid the pearl becoming dislodged. If this does happen you can bring the pearl and post in to us for repair.
Diamonds
Diamonds can become dull over time due to a build up of lotions and dirt. A gentle rinse in warm water with a soft toothbrush can help maintain sparkle in between professional cleaning. An interdental brush can help to get inside raised settings but avoid forcing it if it feels tight.
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Exposure to chlorine can cause damage to the settings. We recommend taking off your diamond jewellery whilst swimming, preferably storing your jewellery in a soft cloth.
Chains
Do not wear necklaces or bracelets in bed as you can easily snag them in your sleep causing damage to the jewellery and potentially entangling yourself!
Many clasps, for example bolt or lobster clasps, have a small spring inside which can be damaged by excessive exposure to water or simple wear over time.
If you notice that the the clasp feels loose please bring it in to us so we can assess if it needs to be replaced for a small fee.
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If your silver chain has accumulated grime between the links and you are not able to bring it in to be cleaned, you might use a soft toothbrush and water - but be sure to keep the clasp dry! Pat the chain dry with a soft cloth, do not pull it as this could stretch the links. Follow up with a buff using a polishing cloth which we sell in store.