JEWELLERY CARE 

Jewellery items are delicate and should be handled with care. Remove your jewellery when washing hands, using any detergents or chemicals of any kind, as they may tarnish or harm the finish and gemstones. 

Bronze Jewellery

To preserve the shine and colour of your bronze clean regularly with a metal jewellery polishing cloth which also helps to prevent patina or corrosion over time. For a more thorough clean first scrub with warm water and a mild liquid soap using a toothbrush to remove dirt. Dry your pieces thoroughly with a clean towel, then apply metal jewellery polishing cream with a cloth to bring back lustre and remove any greening if at all present. Removing your bronze jewellery while sleeping also keeps it in better condition. It is not recommended that you wear bronze jewellery in sea water or when handling chemicals of any kind. Alternatively, all bronze jewellery can be professionally re-polished at a local jeweller.

Sterling Silver Jewellery

Sterling silver items will tarnish naturally, to clean gently wash under warm water with a toothbrush and baking soda, and polish with a soft cotton polishing cloth. Avoid knocking or dropping your jewellery, as gemstones may come loose or get chipped. Avoid heat and any cleaning products, as this may change the appearance or colour of the gemstones.

Gold Plated Jewellery

Jewellery that is gold plated consists of a hard gold plate over sterling silver. Gold plating will wear in time and the silver beneath will start to shine through. How long this takes depends on the amount of wear and environment the piece is exposed to. Avoid contact with water, detergents or chemicals of any kind as this may tarnish the finish. Store your gold plated jewellery away from your other jewellery to minimise wear and scratching and take jewellery off at night.  If you would like your piece to be re-plated, I offer a gold plating service for a small fee.

Oxidised Sterling Silver Jewelry

Oxidisation is a treatment of silver which changes the surface colour of silver to black. It is a temporary finish and with wear will reveal the silver underneath, lending a stronger surface character. How fast wears depends on the amount of contact with skin, water, and abrasive surfaces. All oxidised pieces are finished with a wax polish. Store your oxidised jewellery away from your other jewellery to minimise wear and scratching and take jewellery off at night. Avoid all contact with soaps, detergents, chemicals and water. 

For further information or care specific to your piece of jewellery, please don’t hesitate to contact me at sales@devipetti.com