Looking after your pieces.

Everyday wear

The simplest rule is last on, first off. Put your jewellery on after perfume, makeup, lotion and hairspray, and take it off first when you undress. Cosmetics are the most common cause of dullness, and the most avoidable one.

• Take pieces off before showering, swimming, exercising or sleeping
• Let lotion and perfume dry fully on your skin first
• Wearing pieces regularly helps — the gentle friction against skin and fabric keeps the surface bright

Storing it well

How you store your jewellery matters as much as how you wear it. Keep pieces dry, out of direct sunlight, and separated so they don't scratch or tangle.

• Store each piece on its own — the gift box it arrived in is ideal
• Keep it somewhere cool and dry; damp air speeds up tarnish
• An anti-tarnish strip or silica gel packet in the box helps
• A sealed bag slows tarnish considerably more than an open dish

Gentle cleaning

Cleaning at home is easy and needs nothing special. For a quick refresh, wipe each piece with a soft, lint-free cloth after wearing.

• For a deeper clean, use warm water with a drop of mild washing-up liquid and a soft toothbrush around the setting
• Rinse, then pat dry fully with a soft cloth before storing
• Use light strokes — skip paper towels, which scratch
• A silver polishing cloth lifts tarnish from the metal in a minute or two

What to avoid

A few things shorten the life of any jewellery. Three of them are the products people reach for first.

• Toothpaste, baking soda and household abrasives — these scratch silver and dull it permanently
• Silver dip and ultrasonic cleaners — too aggressive for set stones, and destructive to pearl
• Harsh chemicals — household cleaners, bleach and chlorinated pool water
• Long exposure to moisture, heat or direct sunlight
• Loose in a bag or drawer, where pieces scratch each other

Check the chain

Every few months, run the chain through your fingers and check the clasp closes firmly and the pendant bail hasn't worn thin. Catching a weak link early is the difference between a repair and a loss.