Jewellery Care
’A piece of handmade jewellery is a piece of art'.
It is an investment becoming even more valuable as you wear it - creating precious memories!
How to care for your piece of art:
You have a beautiful new piece and, of course, you want to keep it looking fresh. These are our recommendations for wearing, cleaning, and storing your sterling silver jewellery to ensure it looks beautiful for years to come.
Storing your piece:
Store your India & Albert piece in a cool, dry place, preferably in a tarnish-preventive bag like a zip-lock bag or wrapped in a soft piece of felt or cloth. Certainly keep it in the cotton gift bag it came in wrapped in its tissue to keep it safe from air and light.
After wearing your sterling silver jewellery, show it a little love by cleaning it using your complimentary soft polishing cloth. Silver polishing cloths are specially treated to remove tarnish and leave a lustrous shine. Gently rub the surface with the cloth. Your cloth will become darker as you use it – don’t worry – it will still be effective even after many uses!
Store pieces individually where possible so that they don’t knock together and scratch.
Cleaning Tips
Chemicals in lotions and perfumes can also cause your jewellery to tarnish. Apply them first, let them dry, and then put your jewellery on. This alone can make a huge difference in keeping your piece sparkling.
The safest way to polish sterling silver is to wipe it gently with your soft silver polishing cloth. However, if very tarnished, clean your silver jewellery with a mild soap (such as Dr Bronner’s) and water solution, drying it carefully.
I use white vinegar and salt in my pickling process to remove fire stains made by soldering and the hot torch; but this might be a little too strong for your piece! Instead try white vinegar and a little baking soda or bicarbonate of soda. Soak the tarnished piece in a solution of 1/2 cup white vinegar and 2 tbsp. baking soda (be prepared for the fizzing!) for two to three hours, then rinse and dry.