To keep your jewellery in tip-top condition and always looking its best, follow our handy tips for cleaning, storing and travelling.
How to clean your jewellery
Clean your jewellery with a lint-free cloth, this helps maintain or bring back its shine. We don’t recommend the use of chemicals to clean your jewellery. Always remove your jewellery before cleaning it and be careful not to pull on the chain links as this will weaken them. Remove pendants and charms and clean them separately.
How to Clean Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver will tarnish over time, so we recommend polishing it with a silver cloth to keep it shining. Make sure the cloth only comes into contact with the Sterling Silver as it will damage gemstones or 18ct Gold & Rose Gold Vermeil.
To clean your Gold Vermeil jewellery polish it very carefully with a soft, dry 100% cotton cloth. It’s important to make sure it doesn’t come in to contact with hot water. Make sure the jewellery is totally dry before storing it. Do not use a silver cloth as this will remove the 18ct gold coating.
If necessary, you can clean your jewellery pieces occasionally. Simply soak each piece individually in warm water with a tiny amount of mild detergent for a couple of minutes. You can gently brush the jewellery with a very soft toothbrush to get it extra clean. Rinse in clean warm water and dry with a lint-free cloth. Allow the jewellery to completely air dry before storing.*
How to Clean Gemstones
Gemstones can be kept sparkling using a mild washing up liquid and warm water. Use a clean soft toothbrush to gently clean them and then rinse in clean water. Ensure they are fully dry before storing.*
*Please note, you should never wash mother of pearl, pearls, coral, turquoise, howlite or amber.
How to Store your jewellery
Storage is king for keeping your jewellery at it’s best. Ideally, keep your jewellery stored in a jewellery box or store each piece separately inside airtight containers. It’s important to store jewellery away from moisture, hot temperatures and direct sunlight. Particular things to note are:
18 ct gold vermeil is particularly sensitive to high temperatures and each piece should be stored individually.
Do not store in damp environments like your bathroom
Fasten chains before storing to help stop necklaces and bracelets getting tangled, always fasten any extender chains on the last hole
Sunlight may cause some gemstones to fade, so ensure they are stored correctly.
Tip: You can pop sealed silica gel packs, often found in shoe boxes, into your jewellery box to help absorb any moisture.
Things That Can Damage Your Jewellery
Your jewellery should be the last thing you put on and the first thing you take off when you get dressed. Avoid jewellery coming in to contact with make-up, lotions, hairspray, suntan lotion, deodorant and perfumes.
Water and jewellery aren’t besties, so always take it off before washing up, showering or swimming. Also, the chemicals found in cleaners and will damage your pieces, so it’s best to remove jewellery before you give the house a clean.
Last but not least, always remove your jewellery before bed.
Travelling with Your Jewellery …
We recommending fastening your jewellery, making sure it’s completely dry and then storing it in individual zip lock bags when travelling. Don’t take your jewellery to the beach – it’s won’t like the direct sunlight, sand and saltwater. Save it for when you’re having cocktails later!
Hi, I'm Charlotte, the content writer here at Inscripture. I write our guides on memorial jewellery, ashes jewellery, personalised gifts and grief and bereavement support, and it's some of the most meaningful work I've ever done.
Every article starts with a real story, something a family has shared with us, a question they've asked, or a piece our production team has poured hours into. I sit down with our founder, Hayley, and the makers behind each keepsake to learn how it's made and why it matters, then try to write about it clearly and honestly, the way I'd want someone to explain it to me.
I also write from a place of understanding. I've lost loved ones too, and found memorial jewellery genuinely helpful in my own grief, so I know how much it can mean to hold onto something personal and lasting.
If you're navigating a loss, or choosing something for yourself or for someone else, I hope what I write makes one small part of it easier.
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