Our pieces are made from 925 sterling silver, with some styles finished in 18K gold vermeil — a layer of real gold over a sterling silver core. Both are durable metals, and both tarnish when they meet sulphur, chlorine and perfume.
Everyday habits
- Last on, first off. Put jewellery on after perfume, lotion and hairspray have dried, and take it off before bed.
- Keep it dry. Remove rings and bracelets before washing up, swimming, or using a hot tub. Chlorine attacks the alloy in silver directly.
- Wipe it down. A dry soft cloth after each wear removes the skin oils and salts that start the dulling process.
Cleaning
Wash silver in lukewarm water with a drop of mild soap, work a soft brush into the settings, rinse and dry completely with a lint-free cloth. Do not use toothpaste, baking soda or ultrasonic cleaners on vermeil — they cut through the gold layer.
Storage
Store each piece separately in the pouch it arrived in. Silver left in open air, especially in a bathroom, will tarnish within weeks. Anti-tarnish strips in a closed jewellery box help considerably.
Vermeil and plating
Gold vermeil wears from friction, not from time. Rings and bracelets, which rub against skin and surfaces all day, will show the silver beneath sooner than earrings or necklaces. Treat vermeil as a finish with a lifespan of one to three years of regular wear, and remove it for anything abrasive.
When a piece needs repair
Clasps loosen, chains kink, stones work their way out of prongs. Write to [email protected] with a photograph of the problem and we will tell you whether it can be repaired under warranty or at cost.