Jewellery Aftercare Guide
Preserve Your Precious Piece
Owning a piece of bespoke jewellery is a meaningful investment, carrying both financial and sentimental value. Each piece is a unique creation, often reflecting your personal story, style, and preferences. To keep your cherished jewellery looking stunning and preserving its beauty for future generations, it’s essential to follow proper care and maintenance practices.
Essential Care Tips
Regular Cleaning
Regular cleaning is key to maintaining your jewellery’s beauty, as it removes dirt and preserves its intricate details. Use gentle methods and avoid harsh chemicals to prevent damage and extend its lifespan. For special occasions, or to address minor scratches, consider scheduling a professional cleaning to restore its brilliant shine.
Storage
Store your jewellery separately in a soft pouch or lined box to prevent scratches. Keep it in a dry, cool place, away from sunlight.
Things to avoid
Avoid using harsh chemicals, Hot water, baking soda, or any other stain-removal solutions on your jewellery. We highly recommend removing your jewellery, such as rings, during activities like cleaning, exercising, gardening, or applying perfumes and skincare. These actions can affect your ring’s beauty and shine, potentially affecting its integrity.
Clean your Jewellery at Home
- Prepare a bowl of lukewarm water.
- Add 1 tablespoon of mild dishwashing soap and stir until dissolved.
- Submerge your ring in the soapy water and allow it to soak for 15-20 minutes.
- Carefully brush your ring using a soft baby brush.
- Rinse the ring thoroughly with warm, clean water.
- Dry and clean the ring gently with a soft cloth.
General Care for Metals
Platinum
Daily Care: While platinum is known for its durability, it can develop scratches over time. To maintain its lustre, gently wipe the surface with a soft cloth after each wear to remove oils and dirt.
Cleaning: For deeper cleaning, use a mild soap solution and a soft brush. Rinse thoroughly and dry with a soft cloth to restore its shine.
Storage: To prevent scratching, store platinum pieces separately in a soft pouch or dedicated compartment within your jewellery box.
Yellow Gold
Daily Care: Keep your yellow gold jewellery looking radiant by wiping it with a soft cloth after wearing. This simple step helps eliminate skin oils and dirt.
Cleaning: Clean your pieces with warm, soapy water and a soft toothbrush. Rinse thoroughly and dry with a soft cloth to prevent tarnishing.
Storage: Store yellow gold jewellery in a soft pouch or a lined jewellery box to protect it from scratches and tarnish. Avoid exposing it to harsh chemicals, as they can dull its finish.
White Gold
Daily Care: White gold is often plated with rhodium to enhance its shine. To maintain this, avoid contact with harsh chemicals and abrasives.
Cleaning: Use a soft, lint-free cloth for regular cleaning. For deeper cleans, a mild soap solution can be applied, followed by thorough rinsing and drying.
Storage: To prevent scratching, store platinum pieces separately in a soft pouch or dedicated compartment within your jewellery box.
Rose Gold
Daily Care: Known for its warm hue, rose gold is slightly more susceptible to scratches. Wipe it down with a soft cloth after each wear to keep it looking its best.
Cleaning: Use a gentle soap solution and a soft brush for cleaning. Be sure to rinse and dry thoroughly to retain its shine.
Storage: To keep your rose gold jewellery looking its best, store it separately in a soft pouch or a dedicated section of your jewellery box to avoid scratches and tarnishing.
General Care for Gemstone
Harder Gemstones- Hardness 9-10
Stones: Diamonds, Sapphire & Rubies
Cleaning: These stones are among the hardest and most durable gemstones, making them easy to clean and maintain. To keep their brilliance, gently scrub away dirt and grime using a soft toothbrush, warm water, and mild dish soap. Rinse thoroughly with clean water and dry with a soft, lint-free cloth for a radiant finish. Additionally, these gemstones are tough enough to be cleaned with ultrasonic cleaners, offering another effective option for restoring their sparkle.
Moderate Gemstones – Hardness 7-8
Stones: Morganite, Aquamarine & Amethysts
Cleaning: These stones are classified as gemstones with moderate hardness, making them sensitive to chemicals and extreme conditions. To clean these stones safely, use a mild soap solution and a soft brush to gently remove dirt and buildup. Rinse with warm water and pat dry with a soft cloth. Always avoid harsh chemicals, ultrasonic cleaners, or exposure to extreme temperatures to preserve their beauty.
Softer Gemstones – Hardness 5-6
Stones: Pearls, Opal & Emeralds
Cleaning: These stones are delicate gemstones that require special care due to their softer nature and sensitivity to chemicals. To clean them, gently wipe with a soft, damp cloth to remove dirt and oils. For emeralds, you can use a mild soap solution, but avoid submerging them in water for extended periods, as this can weaken the stone’s natural oils and compromise its integrity. Always rinse emeralds quickly and dry immediately with a soft cloth. Ultrasonic cleaners or harsh chemicals should never be used on these gemstones, as they can cause irreparable damage.
A Complimentary Resize Within the First Six Months!
We understand that sizing is often a key concern when making a bespoke purchase, especially when your precious piece is a surprise. To give you peace of mind, we offer one complimentary resizing option, allowing adjustments of up to two sizes up or down. If your piece doesn’t fit perfectly, simply bring it back within the first year of purchase to take advantage of our complimentary resizing service—ensuring a stress-free, seamless experience.
Annual Inspection
Ensure your jewellery remains in perfect condition with an annual inspection to check for loose stones, worn claws, and other potential issues. Regular inspections help prevent the loss of gemstones and ensure secure settings. Pricing may vary depending on the condition of the piece. Our team is here to guide you if any additional services are required.
From £40
Professional Cleaning
While regular home cleaning is important, professional cleaning offers a deeper care. Our experts use specialised equipment to restore your jewellery’s brilliance, including polishing, which depends on the metal type. For example some metals, like white gold, may also require rhodium plating to maintain their shine, which may incur additional charges.
From £60
Annual Inspection + Professional Cleaning
If you’d like to take advantage of both services, we offer an exclusive discount when booked together. This ensures your piece is expertly inspected and professionally cleaned, restoring its original shine.
From £80
Durham Rose Jewellery Warranty
At Durham Rose, we take great pride in providing a comprehensive range of jewellery services tailored to meet the unique needs of our valued clients. Whether you’re interested in maintaining the brilliance of your engagement ring, seeking a valuation for insurance purposes, requiring aftercare services, or needing resizing for a perfect fit, our dedicated team is here to assist you. With our expert services, you can confidently address all your jewellery-related concerns, ensuring that your pieces remain as stunning and meaningful as the day you received them.
Protect your piece with a 14-Day Complimentary Insurance
We’re excited to offer our UK clients 14 days of complimentary insurance through our trusted partner, Juno, when you design your precious piece with us. While we’d love to extend this offer worldwide, due to terms and conditions, it’s currently available for UK clients only
With your purchase, we’ll send you an insurance leaflet or card, making it easy to apply for coverage. Alternatively, you can also use the link below to insure your new treasure for 14 days.