Caring For Your Jewellery

All antique jewellery needs to be looked after carefully but if you follow these basics, your precious pieces will last for generations to come.

Clean your jewellery regularly – An accumulation of dirt and tarnish can spoil a piece of jewellery. Chemicals found in cosmetics and body oil can sometimes discolour materials if left on for any length of time. Care should be taken with perfumes and hairsprays, with jewellery being the last item to be put on. Don’t over clean delicate pieces of jewellery – for example fragile surfaces such as enamel and plating.

In general:

• Always opt for the gentlest cleaning methods. Antique jewellery may contain delicate settings and stones, so use mild soap, lukewarm water and a soft, lint-free cloth. A soft bristle toothbrush can also be used to remove any buildup, taking care around the claw settings. Rinse the jewellery to remove any soap residue and dry carefully with a lint free cloth.
• For harder stones such as diamonds and sapphires, let the jewellery sit for a few minutes in the lukewarm soapy water.
• Avoid all harsh chemicals and remove rings when washing up, gardening, housework, swimming or any activity that may damage your ring. Vinegar, lemon juice, baking soda, chlorine or abrasive and household cleaners may cause damage.
• Handle with care - Delicate settings and older craftsmanship require gentle handling to prevent loosening or damage. Always understand your stones, metals and their hardness.
• Keep your jewellery in separate boxes or pouches – Diamonds can scratch practically every known surface and should be kept away from other materials. Jewellery is made from metal, gemstones and other materials that can often have soft or damageable surfaces.
• Sunlight can also damage or fade certain stones, so it is wise to store any jewellery that is not being worn, in a jewellery box or drawer.
• Over time pearls may bleach and begin to peel if they are exposed to too much sun and if there is a sudden change in temperature then the natural moisture in a pearl could possibly dry out causing cracks. Opals are the opposite and can darken with too much exposure to the sun rays.
• Consult a professional when needed. For significant tarnishing or intricate designs, seek professional cleaning.

Check the settings regularly for wear and damage – this will allow you to spot any signs of wear to the claws and settings that may compromise the stone and cause it to fall out. A jeweller will be happy to check the settings for you with a magnifying loupe or you can invest in a loupe with 10X magnification. It is important to treat antique jewellery gently and even though the pieces are intended to be worn, many items were not designed with active modern lifestyles in mind.

Photograph your jewellery and keep the receipts – this will help you with any potential insurance claim should the worst happen and you lose an item. Receipts provide proof of purchase, and generally, a description of the item to allow a suitable replacement to be found. The seller should be able to help to source a replacement.

Get valuations for insurance purposes – for valuable items it is always worth getting an insurance valuation from the seller at the point of buying the item. The valuation should include a full description of the item and photographs.  The valuation for retail replacement will differ from auction values. Items can increase or decrease over time and your Insurer may ask you to get an up to date valuation every five years or so. At Friar House we will provide a valuation when you buy from us.

Repairs to antique jewellery – always get a receipt for your jewellery when you leave a piece with a jewellers for repair. Choose a reputable jeweller and if possible take the item back to the original seller who will use a workshop experienced in antique jewellery repair.