Wearing
Jewellery can naturally tarnish over time. To minimise this, its best practice to protect your jewellery from knocks, scratches, chemicals, sunlight and heat/cold. We recommend removing jewellery when you shower or bathe and particularly when on the beach, in the sea and in chlorinated water. Avoid spraying perfume or applying creams directly on the jewellery or where it sits until fully dry.
To avoid unnecessary wear and damage we recommend removing jewellery when carrying out household chores, sports/exercise or tasks that involve chemicals or possible risk of abrasion.
Some pieces may use a jewellers glue for extra stability when securing teeth, gems, pearls or stones. Heat, water, chemicals and oils could reduce the effectiveness of this. Pearls & opals especially, are very sensitive and should be worn and stored with extra care.
Keep away from extreme temperatures and avoid wearing when using bleach and other household products containing this or other chemicals.
Be cautious with clothing that may get caught on your jewellery, as this may cause damage to either the jewellery or item of clothing.
Jewellery with a satin/brushed finish may become burnished when knocked against other jewellery or metals and end up with ‘polished’ scratches on them, and therefore lose the look of the desired finish.
Storing
To protect your jewellery, pieces should be individually placed in a pouch or soft lined box to stop them being scratched or tangled. Ideally store in a cool, dark and dry place and try to keep pieces apart so they do not rub together or tangle up. If being stored for a long period of time its recommended to store with some anti-tarnish paper and clean regularly.
Cleaning
Using a soft lint free cloth is an effective way to keep silver and gold jewellery looking shiny and lustrous. If it needs a better clean, using bicarbonate of soda or a little washing up liquid will help bring a sparkle back. Using cleaning fluids specifically made for your particular precious metal gains great results, but do be aware that most specialist cleaners are gently corrosive and can transfer the dark colour that it produces onto other parts of the jewellery. Its recommended to avoid these if your piece contains a tooth, gems/stones or other natural materials, or if it is plated. Do not use tissue paper or paper towels to clean precious metals as they can cause scratching.
If your item is oxidised, using chemicals or compounds is likely to change the overall look of the jewellery, as it may remove all the colour that was purposely put there.
Silver is robust, but not indestructible. Use these guidelines and common sense when storing, wearing or cleaning your jewellery for best results.
What is a backorder?
Back orders are items that are currently not in stock but are available as a made to order.
This may mean that the item will need to be cast, forged, constructed or created from scratch. Once completed, your item will be sent to the Assay office to be hallmarked. Once that’s completed and returned, the item will then have a final polish before being shipped to you.
This whole process may take up to 4 weeks, but during busier periods may take longer. If you need your item within a certain timeframe, please get in contact first to see if this can be achieved. We will always do our best to meet your needs.
Why are there dark marks on my skin after wearing my jewellery?
In rare cases, some small amounts of polishing compound may remain on your piece of jewellery. This is nothing to be alarmed about and will wash off.
We hallmark our items through The Assay office, so you can be assured your jewellery is genuine solid silver or gold, in the purity stated. This is a legal requirement to sell precious metals over a minimum weight.
How will my order be shipped?
We send all jewellery items by Royal mail special delivery. This allows your order to be tracked and insured and arrive with you as soon as possible.
Excluding weekends and bank holidays, items usually arrive the day after shipping, by 1pm.
How do I find out what size ring I need?
The best, and most reliable way is to go to a jewellers and have them size you or to take a loved ones ring with you to have it sized if you are ordering a gift. If you are trying to find out a size without your loved one knowing, you could try asking friends/family if they know their size. Or if they wear jewellery frequently, try to take one that fits to check the size. Please note, that our fingers usually vary from finger to finger but also hand to hand. The dominant hand is usually slightly bigger. If you unable to get sized in person, you can purchase a ring sizer from us. These work like a belt with Uk sizes indicated along it. These aren’t perfectly accurate but do a great job. Please make sure the size doesn’t alter when removing and do the sizing when hands aren’t too hot or too cold.