Sterling Silver

Sterling silver is an alloyed metal, normally made of 92.5% pure silver and other metals. 

If you’re looking at a piece of jewellery that is darkened or appears dirty, then your silver has tarnished; but, there’s no need to neglect this piece or get rid of it!  

Here are some tips to prolong the life of your jewellery. 

• Wear it often: Believe it or not, your skin’s natural oils will help keep silver jewellery shiny. One of the easiest ways to prevent tarnish is to simply wear your silver often as opposed to letting it sit in a jewellery box unworn.
• Remove during household chores: Substances with additional sulfur like household cleaners, chlorinated water, perspiration, and rubber will accelerate corrosion and tarnish. It’s a good idea to remove sterling silver completely before cleaning.
• Keep out of direct sunlight: Before you hit the beach or pool, be sure to remove your silver jewellery. Sunlight can cause silver to tarnish as well.
• Put your jewellery on last: For generations, women have been putting their jewellery on last and that’s for good reason! Lotions, makeups, hair spray and perfumes will accelerate tarnishing.

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel jewellery is made of a steel alloy that contains chromium. The good thing about stainless steel is that it does not corrode or rust.

Stainless steel jewellery is pretty easy to clean. Simply follow these steps:

• Pour some warm water in a small bowl, and add some mild dishwashing soap.

• Dip a soft, lint-free cloth in the soapy water, and then gently wipe the stainless steel jewellery with the damp cloth until the piece is clean.

When cleaning it, rub the item along its polish lines.

• Wipe the remaining soap off your jewellery using a moist cloth dipped in clean water.

• Dry the jewellery well with a clean towel, and then leave your pieces to air dry.

After your stainless steel jewellery is clean, you can use a jewellery polish or a polishing cloth to shine it.

Zinc Alloy

Always store your zinc alloy jewellery in a dry place, or else you will be exposing it to conditions that can lead to corrosion or tarnishing. If you are not going to use your jewellery for a few days, keep it in a small and dry ziplock bag. When wiping your jewellery before storing, use only a soft cloth

Gold Plated

Gold Plated Jewlery Platinum, silver, and both 14k and 18k gold are not indestructible. Plated jewellery finishes are even more fragile because of the tiny layer of gold over the base metal.

1. Do not spray on perfume or other sprays while wearing your gold plated jewellery. Wear your jewellery after you have sprayed on your favorite perfume so that chemicals on the spray or perfume does not interact with your jewellery’s metal.
2. Wait until your lotion or cream is dry or has been absorbed by your skin before you wear your plated ring, bracelet or necklace.
3. Substances like oil, nail polish, nail polish remover, chlorine, perfume and the like may react with metal/plated jewellery and will cause it to tarnish easily. This also goes with sweat, so make sure you don’t forget to remove your gold plated jewellery when you exercise or anything that would require heavy physical work, and also when swimming.
4. Every after use, clean your plated jewellery with a cotton ball or a very soft cloth to remove any dust and dirt it has acquired. Gently rubbing the surface of your gold plated jewellery using a soft jewellery cloth also helps restore shine.
5. If your jewellery needs more cleaning you may clean it with warm, soapy water. Soak it for a few minutes and you may clean it with a soft brush. Stay away from jewellery cleaners and antibacterial soaps which may have certain components that will just make your gold plated jewellery tarnish more quickly.
6. To avoid scratches, wrap your jewellery in a soft cloth after cleaning or keep it in a jewellery box separate from other types of jewellery you have.