Wearing Your Jewellery

We understand how much you love your jewellery — and naturally, you want to wear it often. However, there are certain situations where removing your jewellery will help preserve its beauty and longevity.

Avoid water exposure
Do not wear jewellery in pools, spas, showers, or baths. Chlorinated and salt water can react with precious metals, leading to colour changes, weakening, or structural damage. Soap residue can also leave a dull film on jewellery, reducing its brilliance and increasing the need for professional cleaning and refinishing.

Apply jewellery last
Always put jewellery on after applying makeup, perfumes, hairspray, creams, or tanning products. Many cosmetics contain chemicals that can damage metals and gemstones over time. Limiting exposure helps maintain the finish and sparkle of your pieces.

Remove jewellery during sport and exercise
Avoid wearing jewellery to the gym or during contact sports. Impact and pressure can scratch metals, loosen gemstones, or cause breakage. Even non-contact exercise carries the risk of accidental knocks or stress on fine pieces.

Take jewellery off during household tasks
Remove jewellery when performing manual or household tasks such as cooking, gardening, cleaning, or using chemicals. Cleaning fluids and physical impact can cause both surface damage and long-term wear.

Special care for delicate gemstones

• Pearls are among the softest gemstones. Take care not to knock or catch pearl strands or rings, and be aware that pearl threading naturally stretches over time and requires periodic restringing.

• Opals and coral are porous and sensitive to dryness. They should be kept in a slightly humid environment to prevent cracking. These stones are often set in fine, delicate designs and should be worn with extra care.

Cleaning Your Jewellery

Regular cleaning helps keep your jewellery looking its best, whether worn daily or stored for long periods.

Use jewellery polishing cloths
Polish gold and silver with a dedicated jewellery polishing cloth. Avoid tissues or paper towels, as their fibres can cause fine scratches.

Clean with care
Gentle cleaning at home can be effective, but caution is essential. Rubbing alcohol may be suitable for some metals, but bleach should never be used, as it can permanently damage jewellery. Commercial jewellery cleaners are available, though coloured gemstones should always be cleaned professionally.

Warm water cleaning
Warm water is generally safest for at-home cleaning. Sterling silver, however, is particularly prone to tarnishing and colour change — if this occurs, professional cleaning is recommended.

Never clean damaged jewellery
If a piece is cracked, loose, or broken, do not attempt to clean it. Cleaning can worsen the damage or result in gemstone loss. Have it professionally assessed instead.

Inspect jewellery regularly
Jewellery naturally shifts and wears over time. Annual checks of claws, settings, clasps, threading, and links are essential. Early attention to wear or loose stones can prevent costly repairs or loss and ensure your jewellery remains secure for years to come.

Repairing Jewellery

From time to time, jewellery repairs are unavoidable. At Aurum Jewels, we guide you through the process with care, transparency, and expertise.

Repair pricing
Please explain what has happened to your piece and your expectations for the repair. In many cases, our trained staff can provide a quote immediately. If a specialist assessment is required, we will obtain a quote from our jeweller and advise you before proceeding. If the quoted price does not suit, your item will be returned to you unchanged.

Repair intake process
Each repair is carefully documented with a detailed description of the item and the work required. Where necessary, drawings or additional notes are included to ensure accuracy. Your details, the repair date, and your signature are recorded before the item is sent for repair.

Collection and quality check
Once the repair is complete, we will notify you for collection if requested. Together, we will inspect the piece to ensure the work meets your expectations. Final payment and confirmation are recorded at collection.

Storing Your Jewellery

Proper storage plays a key role in preserving your jewellery.

Use a dedicated jewellery box
Store jewellery in a fabric-lined box with separate compartments for rings, earrings, bracelets, and necklaces. This prevents pieces from rubbing against each other and reduces the risk of scratches. Chains such as snake chains should be laid flat and never folded. Keep jewellery boxes away from humid areas, particularly bathrooms.

Prevent tarnishing
Jewellery can tarnish when not worn, especially silver and some gold alloys. Storing pieces individually in plastic pouches can reduce exposure to air, helping to prevent tarnish and minimise scratching.

Travelling With Jewellery

Travelling can be particularly hard on jewellery. Always use a dedicated travel jewellery case made from fabric or leather to protect your favourite pieces and keep them secure while on the move.