When you start looking for the best ways to keep your jewellery in beautiful condition, you’ll find no shortage of advice — most of it about what not to do. We believe that with intention and care even jewellery that is delicate, doesn’t have to lose its shine. With a little effort and caring know how, your pieces can stay bright and beautiful for years.
Here a few simple tips that you can apply to every piece of jewellery you own, whatever the material type.
Why care for your gold jewellery?
Good jewellery care begins with how you hold and handle your pieces. Gold doesn’t usually get discoloured, but it can lose its glow or grow a little darker over time. This is especially true for yellow gold jewellery and rose gold jewellery. White gold jewellery however, can take on a faint warm glow. It’s reassuring to remember that a few simple, preventive habits go a long way.
#1 Take your jewellery off
One of the kindest things you can do for your jewellery is to take it off at the right moments. Sweat, perfume, make-up, soap, chlorine and creams can all soften the shine. Before sleeping, showering, exercising, swimming or cleaning – simply slip off your jewellery, placing it somewhere safe and protected until you can put it back on again. It might be hard to separate from your favourite pieces, but you’ll quickly notice that your jewellery stays bright for far longer.
#2 Store your jewellery with intention
Where you keep your jewellery matters. Try not to leave pieces near a sink. Choose a cosy dry spot you can return to — your bedside table, a dresser drawer in your bedroom, or a small space in the bathroom. Your Blush jewellery is always delivered in a carefully designed box made for keeping it safe, or you can use a jewellery case with separate compartments. This stops your pieces from getting tangle with each other or leaving unintentional marks on each other.
#3 Clean your jewellery regularly
Even when you choose not to wear your jewellery while exercising or showering, everyday wear and tear may still soften the shine a little. For example, natural oils from your skin, creams and soap leave a thin layer on diamonds, cubic zirconia and other stones.
A small note: how you clean your gold pieces depends on the metal and the stones involved. We’ve included a few gentle ways to care for different types of jewellery.
Cleaning gold jewellery
To clean your gold pieces, soak them in lukewarm demineralised water with a gentle degreaser such as ammonia. This helps lift away dirt and oils. Keep the water at lukewarm temperature— never hot — to protect the metal.
Cleaning silver jewellery
For silver, the process is similar to keep gold jewellery cleanr - prepare a lukewarm bath of demineralised water but this time with a little washing soda and a small ball of aluminium foil. The mixture will gently lifts away any residue and brings the shine back.
Cleaning jewellery with precious stones
If your item of jewellery contains diamonds or cubic zirconia, gently brush it after the lukewarm bath with a soft, unused, toothbrush. This eases dirt from around the setting, letting the stones catch and refelct the light again.
Cleaning pearl jewellery
Pearls ask for a little extra tenderness. They’re extra sensitive to perfume, cleaning products and cosmetics, so it’s best to keep direct contact with these at an absolute minimum. Rather than soaking them, simply polish pearls gently with a soft cloth to preserve their natural glow.
#4 Polishing your jewellery
Polishing is a quiet but important part of caring for your pieces. After the gentle bath (see above), buff your jewellery with a proper polishing cloth — one made for silver or gold. Avoid coarser cloths like microfibre, as these can leave small scratches. Be thorough with any tarnish, and always gentle around the stones.
#5 Opt for a professional jewellery deep clean
If you’re less of a DIY do-it-yourself type person and want the peace of mind of knowing your favourite pieces are in experienced hands, it may be time to visit a jeweller for a professional clean. An expert has the inside knowledge, tools and skills to reach what the rest of us at home can’t. Professional jewellery cleaning will bring the shine back, without the stress, worry or hassle of doing it yourself. If you go this route, ask about the cost, and keep in mind that your pieces may be away for a few days. It’ll be worth the temportary time apart. When your jewellery returns,it’ll glow as if you’re holding it for the very first time.
