Made to be worn

Put your jewellery on last, and take it off first.

• Showering, swimming and spas. Chlorine and salt water are hard on gold and stones.
• Washing up, cleaning and anything involving chemicals.
• The gym, gardening and heavy lifting.
• Putting on perfume, sunscreen or moisturiser.
• Sleeping.
• Anything else where it might take a knock.

For solid gold and sterling silver, a soft cotton cloth is all you need day to day.

For stones and pieces with lots of little crevices, use warm water, a drop of gentle dish soap and a very soft toothbrush. Rinse well and pat dry. Be gentle: precious metals are strong, but fine details and claws can bend.

Sterling silver naturally darkens over time. A silver polishing cloth brings it right back.

Diamonds and sapphires are tough, but they can still chip with a hard knock.

Pearls, opals and emeralds are softer and more delicate. Wipe them with a soft damp cloth only: no soaking, no chemicals and no ultrasonic cleaners. Pearls love being worn, just put them on after perfume and hairspray.

Keep pieces separately so harder stones don't scratch softer metals, ideally in a soft pouch or a lined box. Fasten chains before you put them away so they don't tangle.

Have one of my earlier gold vermeil pieces? Clean it with a plain soft cloth only. Polishing cloths often contain a fine compound that slowly wears plating away.

When it's ready for a refresh, I can re-plate it for you from $40 plus shipping.