What is Sterling Silver Silver is a precious metal and much like gold it is too fine to be made in a 100% form. To make it durable for jewerly, pure silver (999 fineness) is often alloyed with small quantities of copper (7.5%), thus comes sterling silver (92.5% or .925). Copper is added to strengthen the silver and make it durable to be use as a decorative or in fashionable jewerly.
Retaining the finish and value of your jewellery is quite easy. It's simply a matter of knowing what and what not to do! Listed here are tips on how to take care of your precious jewels, what to avoid, how to clean jewellery and much more……!!
 Maintaining your gem's colourful sparkle! – Gemstone Jewellery
· The best single piece of advise we can give you is to wipe your precious stone jewellery with a clean, soft damp cloth after wearing. This little habit will ensure that your jewellery is always looking its best.
· When your gemstone jewellery is not being worn, storage in a soft pouch is recommended.
· There are some things to avoid. Salt water and harsh chemicals such as chlorine bleach or detergents can cause damage. The chemicals erode the finish and polish of the gems leaving them dull. Hairspray, perfume and perspiration can also cause dullness if not regularly cleaned off.
· Because gemstones differ so much, so do their cleaning procedures. It really is best to have your Showcase jeweller advise you on them individually. We can also check its condition and advise you of any repairs that may be necessary to restore its full beauty and value. It's certainly the safest way to ensure you retain the value and sparkle of your treasured pieces.
Keeping silver bright and shiny. – Silver Jewellery
As with most precious metals, in time silver will oxidize. Properly maintained silver actually improves with age. It develops a lush patina when treated well.
· Simply clean with a mild soap and water solution. Pat dry with a soft cloth. If dirt is more stubborn a silver cleaner is appropriate. But don't rub silver with anything other than a polishing cloth or fine piece of felt. Tissue paper or paper towels will cause scratches.
· Like other jewellery, avoid wearing silver in chlorinated water as this will discolour it.
· Store your silver jewellery in a cool, dry, dark place. A tarnish preventative bag is a good idea, or wrapped individually in plastic pouches, a soft piece of felt or cloth.
· As air and light cause silver to tarnish, the less of them the better when stored.
Pearls
· Keep hairspray and perfume away from your pearls, this can permanently damage the coating on your precious beads. After applying hairspray and perfume wait a few minutes for it to dry completely before putting on your pearls.
· Don't store pearls in plastic bags, always store in the box or silk pouch that they should be supplied with.
Beads
· If you have beaded necklaces such as gemstone, or pearls, store them flat, preferably in a silk pouch. If the string breaks, let a professional jeweller restring them for you. If you are considering buying expensive beaded jewellery look for beads are a knotted between each bead, so that if the string breaks you won't loose so many beads!
Fashion Jewellery
· Gold or Silver plated items can vary considerably in quality. To be called Gold Plated, jewellery only needs to be coated in gold up to 1 micron. Better made products are usually coated upto 3 microns. Because precious metals are only coated onto base metal, the care instructions given above are even more relevant.
· We would also personally advise you not to wear "fashion" jewellery on a day to day basis, but rather for "special occassions" - that way you'll enjoy them for much longer!
Protection
· Always protect your jewellery from sharp blows, scratching, chemicals, sunlight and heat/cold. Ideally, store your jewellery in a soft lined box or pouch.
· Try to keep pieces apart, so that they don't rub together or tangle up.
· Wear jewellery for appropriate tasks, avoid wearing rings when cleaning, gardening or performing sports activities.
· Don't let your jewellery come into contact with nail polish removers, perfume and hairspray
· Clean your jewellery regularly, use a professional jewellery cleaning product (always read the manufacturers instructions)
· When washing your hands (away from home) - don't place your rings on the wash basin - remove them and place them onto your necklace or place in a pouch in your handbag/purse
Never go swimming in your jewellery, chlorine in swimming pools can cause damage |
