Care Guide

Solid gold is built to last. A little attention keeps it that way.

1
Prepare a warm soakAdd a few drops of mild dish soap to a bowl of warm — not hot — water. Hot water can affect certain stone settings.
2
Soak for 5–10 minutesThis softens built-up oils and residue. Do not soak pieces with porous or organic stones — pearl, opal, turquoise. See Coloured Stones below.
3
Clean gentlyUse a very soft cloth or soft-bristled toothbrush. Around settings, brush lightly in the direction of the metalwork — never press directly against a stone.
4
Rinse thoroughlyRinse under lukewarm running water. All soap residue must be removed — any left behind will leave a film that dulls the piece.
5
Dry completely before storingPat dry with a clean lint-free cloth, then leave to air dry fully. Moisture trapped around settings is the most common cause of tarnish.
A jeweller's polishing cloth works well on plain gold surfaces. Use straight strokes, don't press hard. Do not use polishing cloths on gemstone surfaces — they can leave micro-scratches on softer stones.
When in doubt, a soft dry cloth is safe for every stone. Only introduce water when there's residue that won't lift dry.
Group 1 — Hard Stones
Durable.
Wash freely.
Ruby Blue Sapphire White Sapphire Aquamarine Garnet Spinel Moissanite Sky Topaz
→Warm soapy water and a soft brush — fine for routine cleaning
→Rinse and dry fully after washing
→Ultrasonic cleaners are generally safe unless the stone is heavily included or fracture-filled — if in doubt, skip it
→No special restrictions on water exposure during regular wear
Group 2 — Medium Stones
Moderately robust.
Handle with care.
Emerald Amethyst Citrine Peridot Enamel
→Clean with warm soapy water and a soft cloth — no scrubbing
→Avoid ultrasonic cleaners — most emeralds are oiled or resin-filled and vibration can damage this treatment
→Keep amethyst and citrine away from prolonged direct sunlight — both can fade over time
→Avoid harsh chemicals and high heat for all stones in this group
Group 3 — Soft or Porous Stones
Delicate.
Dry clean only.
Pearl Opal Turquoise
→Wipe with a soft damp cloth only — no soaking, ever
→Keep away from perfume, sweat, and household chemicals — these stones absorb liquids and stain or discolour permanently
→Opals have a high water content — avoid extreme heat and prolonged dryness, both can cause cracking
→Pearls are particularly sensitive to acids — put jewellery on last and wipe after every wear
→No ultrasonic or steam cleaning
→Remove before swimming, showering, and any water exposure
Store separatelyGold scratches against other metals, and harder stones scratch softer ones. Every piece should have its own pouch or compartment. Trust us, untangling knotted chains is no fun.
Avoid the bathroomDaily steam and humidity from showers accelerate tarnish and affect certain stones over time. Store pieces somewhere with stable, dry air — a bedside drawer is ideal.
Keep out of direct sunlightProlonged sun exposure fades certain stones — amethyst and citrine in particular. A drawer, box, or cloth pouch is better than a windowsill dish.
Anti-tarnish stripsSmall anti-tarnish strips inside a jewellery box or pouch absorb the airborne compounds that cause tarnish. Worth adding if you store pieces for long periods without wearing them.
Travelling with piecesUse a case with individual compartments — not a single pouch where pieces can knock against each other. A small zip-lock bag per piece works perfectly if you don't have a travel case.
Do
→Put jewellery on last — after perfume, moisturiser, and sunscreen. Let products dry before wearing.
→Wipe after wearing. A soft dry cloth after each wear removes skin oils before they build up and cause tarnish.
→Remove before swimming. Chlorine and salt water both affect gold alloys over time.
→Store pieces separately. Gold scratches against other metals. Each piece needs its own space.
→Remove before sleep and heavy physical activity. Reduces bending, snagging, and stress on settings.
→Check settings periodically. Press gently against any stones. Loose settings are easy to fix early, not after.
→Clean regularly. Even a quick wipe with a dry cloth after wearing goes a long way.
Don't
→Don't use toothpaste. It's abrasive and will scratch metal and many stones — despite what you may have read.
→Don't use bleach or household cleaners. They damage both gold alloys and stones, sometimes permanently.
→Don't use ultrasonic cleaners on gemstone pieces. Safe for plain gold; can loosen settings and crack certain stones.
→Don't store in the bathroom. Daily steam and humidity accelerate tarnish and affect some stones over time.
→Don't wear during heavy physical work — gym, sport, gardening. Pieces can bend, scratch, or get caught.
→Don't expose to sudden heat. Moving from very cold to very hot environments can stress stone settings.
→Don't stack without care. Harder stones in one piece will scratch softer metals or stones in another.