Wearing jewellery

We understand that you have beautiful jewellery and you want to wear it all the time, however there are some situations where it is best not to wear it.

Don’t wear jewellery in pools, spas, shower or baths. Chlorinated water can react with the metals found in jewellery causing colour changes and even structural damage. Also when bathing, soap can cause a film to form, making it appear dull and dingy. By preventing the formation of this film you immediately reduce the occasions of servicing and refinishing.

Put jewellery on after applying your makeup, cream and perfume. Cosmetics, hairspray, perfumes, tanning solutions and lotions can contain chemicals that can often damage jewellery. Putting jewellery on after applying these materials will limit exposure to jewellery and any potential damage. Do not go to the gym and avoid contact sports whilst wearing your jewellery. You are taking the risk to knock your beautiful pieces and scratch them or even break them when doing sport. Hard blows during sports can damage jewellery.

Remove jewellery during house tasks when performing manual tasks, remove your jewellery to prevent physical damage or exposure to chemicals and cleaning fluids. Some tasks that should be avoided when wearing jewellery include kitchen work, gardening, house cleaning and other common household tasks.

Pearls are from the softest gems, be very careful not to catch your strand or knock your rings. Also know that the threading will stretch with time.

Opals and coral are also porous stones and need to be kept in humid environment to not dry out and break. It is very important to be careful not to catch or knock your jewellery as sometimes items are very fine and fragile, hence they will break after one mistake.

 

Cleaning jewellery

If you wear your jewellery every day or very often, then you need to give it a good clean every now and then. The same for those pieces of jewellery that you haven’t worn for a while, they need to get the sparkle back.

Use jewellery polishing cloths for best results: Polish silver or gold with a jewellery polishing cloth. Use of tissue or paper towels can cause scratches because of fibres in these products. If any doubts, you are more than welcome to come see us for advice.

Clean your jewellery with care: Cleaning your own jewellery regularly can keep it looking good, but be careful, rubbing alcohol can work wonders, but bleach can literally destroy jewellery so avoid it at all costs. You can purchase commercial cleaners from a jeweller. Again if any doubts, you are more than welcome to come see us for advice. However, all coloured stones should be cleaned by professional only.

Use warm water to clean jewellery: Using warm water is the best when cleaning your own jewellery. However Sterling Silver is especially susceptible to colour change. Should this occur, please come see us to solve the problem.

Avoid cleaning damaged jewellery: Never clean any jewellery that is damaged, cracked or broken, as you may worsen the damages. Instead, you should send it for repair.

Inspect your jewellery regularly: Jewellery will move with time. You need to check it annually for claws, threading, clasps and catches as well as the wear and tear between links. Addressing signs of damage, or loose gemstones will prevent any further damage or loss and keep all of your pieces in excellent shape for years.

 

Repairing jewellery

Sometimes, you have to get one of your jewellery items repaired. At Aurum Jewels we will be here to assist you in choosing the right repair solution at the right price.

Jewellery Repair Pricing: Please explain what happened with your broken item and what you expect to be the repair like. Our trained staff persons should be able to quote for the repair, if not, we will obtain a special quote from our jeweller and will let you know. If the price quoted does not suit you, you will get your item back. All our prices are classified per types in a price book for repairs.

Jewellery take-in procedures: A clear description of your item to be repaired is written on the repair docket. The required repair will be written down with a precise explanation and sometimes with a drawing to ensure that the repair will be done correctly. The date, your details and your signature will be on the docket before sending to our jeweller.

Jewellery at pickup procedures: If requested, once the repair is done, we will inform you that it needs collecting. Together, we will make sure the work has been done the way you wanted and that you are happy. A collection date as well as your signature will appear on the final payment receipt.

 

Storing jewellery

Storing your jewellery with care and organization can make a huge difference in keeping it clean and beautiful.

Keep your jewellery in a special box: Store your jewellery in a box can prevent pieces from moving around. Ideally you want to make sure your box is covered in fabric on the inside. Also make sure you divide it in different areas such as the earrings, the rings, bracelets…Some of your chains like the snake chain cannot be folded so you need to make sure you have enough space in your box to lay it flat. Finally, keep your jewellery box away from humid spaces such as the bathroom.

Prevent your jewellery from tarnishing: Sometimes jewellery tarnishes went it’s not worn, especially silver and gold. To avoid it, you can individually store your jewellery pieces in plastic pouches. This will avoid the tarnishing but also it will help not to mix and scratch your jewellery.

 

Traveling with jewellery

Traveling can be tough on jewellery, so it’s wise to use a travel case to protect your favourite pieces. Make sure it is in fabric or leather.