Jewellery Care FAQ

Sterling Silver & Tarnish

Does sterling silver tarnish?

Yes. Sterling silver is 92.5% silver and 7.5% other metals, usually copper. The copper reacts with sulphur in the air and on your skin, producing a dull yellow tone that gradually deepens to grey and then nearly black if left long enough. It is not damage and it is not permanent — a polish brings it straight back.

What speeds up tarnishing?

Perfume, hairspray, lotions, and household cleaning products all accelerate tarnish because they carry sulphur. Sweat and individual skin acidity play a part too, which is why some people tarnish silver faster than others through nothing more than body chemistry. Damp is the other main factor: storing silver in a humid bathroom, or putting it away while it is still wet, gives tarnish the conditions it prefers. Chlorinated swimming pools and sea water will also dull silver quickly.

How do I stop sterling silver tarnishing?

The single most effective thing is to wear it. Skin contact and the friction of normal wear keep silver bright — the pieces you wear most are rarely the ones that go dark. Beyond that:

• Put jewellery on last, after perfume and lotion.
• Take it off before swimming, showering, and cleaning.
• Store it somewhere dry, ideally in a sealed bag with the air pushed out.
• Add an anti-tarnish strip in the bag for pieces you will not wear for a while.

How do I clean tarnished silver?

For light tarnish, a proper silver polishing cloth is all you need. These are impregnated with a mild polish and will lift the dullness in a minute or two of gentle rubbing. For heavier tarnish, use a dedicated silver cleaner sparingly and according to the instructions, then rinse and dry fully. Avoid abrasive pastes and rough cloths on anything with a delicate finish, and take care around set stones — some cleaners do not suit certain gemstones.

If a piece has a deliberately oxidised or blackened finish, do not polish that away. That darkening is intentional and part of the design; aggressive cleaning will strip it.

If you have tried a cloth and a cleaner and a piece still looks tired, bring it to me or any jeweller. Professional cleaning and repolishing will return it to as-new — sterling silver is one of the easiest metals to restore.

How often should I clean my silver?

There is no fixed schedule. A silver polishing cloth kept in the drawer and used whenever a piece starts to look dull is all most people need. Pieces worn regularly rarely require anything more.

Gold Jewellery

Does gold tarnish?

Solid 9ct and 18ct gold do not tarnish the way sterling silver does. Gold is chemically inert and does not react with oxygen, water, or most everyday substances. It does develop a patina — scratches accumulate over time — but the colour does not change. If you want to restore the surface, a jeweller can repolish most pieces.

Can I wear solid gold jewellery every day, in water?

Yes. Solid gold is waterproof. You can wear it in the shower, wash up in it, and swim in it without damaging the metal. The only caveats: chlorine in pools can, over a long period, affect the alloy metals in 9ct gold, and any stone settings may need more care (pearls especially do not like prolonged soaking). If a piece has stones, check the specific stone before swimming.

What is the difference between 9ct and 18ct gold?

9ct gold is 37.5% pure gold; 18ct gold is 75% pure gold. 18ct is richer in colour and generally more valuable. 9ct is harder-wearing and more affordable for everyday pieces, particularly rings. Neither is automatically better — the right choice depends on budget, colour preference, and how you intend to wear the piece.

Hallmarking

What is a hallmark?

A hallmark is independent proof of metal purity. Every piece I make that meets the weight threshold is sent to the London Assay Office before it leaves my studio. An independent body tests the metal and stamps it to confirm it is exactly what it is described as. The hallmark is not my word — it is theirs.

A full UK hallmark contains: the maker's mark, the metal and purity mark (925 for sterling silver, 375 for 9ct gold, 750 for 18ct gold), and the Assay Office mark. London's is a leopard's head, in use since 1300.

Is all your jewellery hallmarked?

In the UK, gold items under 1 gram and silver items under 7.78 grams are exempt from compulsory hallmarking. Some very small pieces fall into this category. But any piece described as 9ct gold or sterling silver is either hallmarked or falls below the legal threshold — never because corners are being cut. If in doubt, ask.

Why do you use the London Assay Office?

All four UK Assay Offices — London, Birmingham, Edinburgh, and Sheffield — are equally authoritative. I use London because it is where I have always sent my work, and because there is something right about a leopard's head stamped on a piece made by hand in England that connects to the same mark used since the 14th century.

Made to Order & Lead Times

How long does a made-to-order piece take?

The Twelve Months birthstone rings carry a two-week lead time from order. Lead times for other made-to-order pieces are stated on the individual product pages. If you need a piece by a specific date, message me before ordering and I will confirm whether it is achievable.

Can I request a specific stone within a made-to-order piece?

Yes, for pieces where the stone is selected individually — such as the Twelve Months rings — each stone is chosen by hand once you order. If you have a preference for colour or tone, message me before ordering and I will work to it where possible.

Sizing

How do I find my ring size?

Ring sizing guidance and any available options are listed on each product page. If you are unsure or between sizes, message me before ordering — it is easier to get it right the first time than to adjust after the fact.

After Purchase

What should I avoid wearing my jewellery with?

Put jewellery on after perfume, hairspray, and lotion — not before. Remove it before swimming, showering, cleaning, and the gym. For stacked rings that mix gold and silver, be aware that sterling silver is harder than gold: constant contact between the two metals on the same finger, year after year, will gradually wear the softer gold. Give them their own finger where possible, or be mindful of stacking order.

Can I mix gold and silver jewellery?

Yes — wear them together. The current advice is simply to give them a little space rather than pressing them flat against each other constantly. Necklaces and earrings present lower risk than stacked rings because there is far less contact. On the same finger, placing gold and silver on neighbouring fingers rather than stacked on one reduces the wear considerably.

My piece looks a little tired. Can it be restored?

Almost certainly. Sterling silver can be repolished to as-new. Gold develops a patina that many people love, but it too can be repolished if preferred. Bring it to me or any jeweller — it is usually a small job. Sterling silver is one of the easiest metals to restore, which is part of why well-made pieces last a lifetime.

I have a question not answered here. How do I get in touch?

Message me directly via the contact page. I make everything myself and I read all messages.