How to care for your jewellery

Caring for Silver

How to keep your silver sparkling for longer and understanding why your pieces tarnish.

Over time Silver will naturally tarnish, giving it a darkened look. Exposure to moisture is the most common cause of tarnishing, but other factors such as, perfume, hand-creams, sleeping in jewellery and your skin’s natural oils, also play a part. Some of us love the extra dimension the tarnishing process can give to our silver jewels, but for those who prefer a brighter and more polished finish then there are some steps that you will need to follow:

  • Silver does not like being damp! So do not leave your silver jewellery out in the open, exposed in bathrooms or damp rooms and remove your jewellery when swimming, exercising, showering or bathing.

  • Store your jewellery out of direct sunlight in its original box, or in a soft cloth/padded box, and separate from your silver pieces other jewellery items.

  • If you have a particularly damp house (like most houses here in Cornwall) store your jewellery in airtight containers to limit its exposure to moisture.

  • Always apply any lotions, potions and perfumes to your skin before you put your jewellery on.

  • Never sleep in your jewellery.

  • Avoid activities that are likely to knock, scratch or put excess strain on your jewellery pieces.

Lastly, Did you know that your skin's natural oils and PH balance will also contribute towards the tarnishing of silver? This is just something to be aware of, but regular cleaning and proper storage of your jewellery will help to maintain its sparkle.

Silver Cleaning and Maintenance

Regularly cleaning and caring for your jewellery will not only help your items to stay bright, but it will also increase the life-span of your silver pieces.

  • Regularly use a soft lint-free cloth to gently rub your pieces to remove any dirt or oils.

  • To give your items a deeper clear use a mixture of warm water with dish soap. Soak your jewellery in the warm water for a few minutes, then take a soft brush (such as an old toothbrush) and dip it in a little dish soap and gently brush your piece in circular motions. Afterwards, be sure to rinse thoroughly and dry the piece using a soft cloth or towel.

  • If you want to go the extra mile, try a dedicated silver jewellery cleaning kit.

Caring for your Gold Plated Pieces

At Una Wild we use a 22ct gold plate layered over solid silver rather than a base metal like brass. This means that even if the gold plate wears, your piece still looks gorgeous. Gold plating offers the look of gold without the price tag, but gold plated pieces do not stay gold forever and ever. If you do want a gold piece that will stay gold forever then you will need to invest in a solid gold item. To keep your gold plated pieces intact for longer consider following our suggestions below:

  • Gold plate also reacts and erodes when it comes into contact with moisture, so remove it when swimming, bathing, exercising or showing.

  • Store your gold plated pieces away from other jewellery items that could scratch it.

  • Store your gold plated pieces in air-tight containers that are lined or padded.

  • Gold plating is especially reactive to chemicals, including hand sanitiser and perfume.

We do offer a replating service, so get in touch for a quote.

Caring for Pearls

At Una Wild we use Freshwater Pearls, these are organically made gemstones and are very delicate - think of them like shells in the sense that they can crack and become scratched. 

  • Do not overclean your pearls as you can wear the surface of them.

  • Use a very soft cloth, such as a lint-free microfiber cloth, to gently polish the surface of your pearl and remove any oils or dirt. Rough fabrics can scratch pearls so it’s important that the cloth you’re using is especially soft. 

  • If your pearl needs a deep clean then you can use a damp cloth and a mild cleaning solution to help remove any dirt. Do not apply the cleaning solution directly to the pearl. Instead, mix the cleaning solution in with the water and apply this to your cloth and gently rub over the pearl in circular motions.

  • You must ensure that you thoroughly rinse and dry the pearl once you have cleaned it. 

  • Ultrasonic cleaners will damage your pearls. 

  • Like silver, over time pearls can also be discoloured by harsh chemicals, perfumes and lotions. 

Pearls are porous and love to be worn. Our skin’s natural moisture will help to keep pearls hydrated and shining bright! 


In Conclusion

Lastly, our jewellery is precious, as all handmade jewellery is, and it should be treated as such. Pulling hard on your necklace chain, bashing your rings against rough surfaces and yanking on earrings will cause damage to your beloved pieces.

If you have lost or broken an item from us, get in touch for a repair or replacement quote.