Caring for your Jewellery
wearing and caring for your kirsten goss jewellery
our beautiful jewellery deserves due care and benefits from regular cleaning and careful handling. each item of kirsten goss jewellery is accompanied by a soft cloth pouch and sturdy box in which it should be stored when not being worn to maintain it and keep it looking its best. stashing ones earrings into a makeup case or handbag, although convenient, is detrimental to them and the materials used to craft them. precious metals are soft and impressionable, and bending and snapping will occur with careless treatment. regular cleaning in in mild soapy water with a soft toothbrush is encouraged, especially to keep lustre of our textured finish. Earring tops and studs should be treated gently and regularly checked that butterflies and fittings sit securely.
sterling silver and 18kt gold vermeil jewellery
Moisture, salts and general exposure to pollution encourage the appearance of tarnish on sterling silver. Over time, if unworn or stored against other items of jewellery, tarnish will also develop. It can be removed from sterling silver with a non-abrasive silver polishing cloth or liquid silver dip. Both are available from most supermarkets or hardwares. We'd recommend that silver dip is only used occasionally followed by a gentle wash in soapy water to remove any residue, as over-use can be detrimental to your jewellery. Full instructions for use will be given on the packaging. Care should be taken to keep gold vermeil jewellery seperate from other jewellery as the plating is a surface finish so it can be susceptible to wear, but if looked after correctly signs of wearing should only occur over a long period of time. Avoid wearing gold plated jewellery when swimming or bathing, and remove rings before applying handcream as the acids in moisturisers can affect the longevity of the plating. Perfumes and hairsprays can also have a negative affect, so apply before putting on gold vermeil jewellery. The dulled look that plated jewellery develops in time is caused by the core layer of sterling silver tarnishing. A silver jewellery dip will bring out its original lustre, followed by a gentle wash ion soapy water to remove any residue. We offer a re-plating service for any Kirsten Goss vermeil pieces that are in need, the cost is nominal and is based on a combination of weight of the item and surface area that needs re-plating.
18kt gold jewellery
Gold should be cleaned regularly in order to maintain its beauty and patina. A soft, lint free cloth is an effective way to keep gold jewellery looking shiny and lustrous. Remove your 18kt gold jewellery when using potentially damaging equipment as it is soft and impressionable. Textured finishes on rings are superficial and will wear, gradually appearing smoother with wear. We can re-texture rings for a nominal fee at our studio.
gemstones
Regular cleaning will help stones to retain their glamour and shine. With the exception of pearls, emeralds and opals (as these are porous), gently clean your jewellery in warm soapy water and using a soft bristle toothbrush so gently clean over the surface and in and behind any stone settings. Avoid harder bristled brushes or new toothbrushes as these can leave scratches on the surface of the metal. Rinse the piece under running water - with the tap in! - and use a soft cloth to dry the piece. Don’t forget to remove your rings when washing up or showering, as soap particles may become lodged in stone settings and crevices. Soaps can also leave a film over stones, creating a dull appearance. Avoid exposure to hot water and/or harsh chemicals and acids (such as household chemicals, perfumes, or hairsprays) as these may erode the finish or cause discolouration. Gemstones are graded on a hardness scale of 1-10 and particular care should be taken with them, especially if they fall into a softer grade, to ensure that they are not knocked or banged when worn, and care should also be taken to ensure they don’t knock against one another when stored. To avoid damage, keep your gemstone jewellery in separate pouches, and fasten all chains and catches before storing flat. We do not offer a service to repair stones, and can only replace them depending on availability.
pearls
Pearls are particularly susceptible to damage from chemicals such as make-up and hair spray, so your pearl jewellery should generally be the last thing you put on when getting dressed, and the first thing you take off when undressing. Wipe your pearls with a soft, lint-free cloth as soon as you take them off. The cloth can be dampened with water, or it can be dry. If damp, allow the pearls to air dry before putting them away. Pearls must never be put in an ultrasonic cleaning machine, or be cleaned with ammonia or harsh detergents. Don’t store your pearls with other jewellery because they can easily be scratched when metal or gemstones rub against them - store them in the cloth pouch that they originally came in and find a special section in your jewellery box for them.
It’s important that you are able to show off your jewellery as frequently and as for as long as you’d like, so if you have any queries about the best way to look after your Kirsten Goss jewellery, don’t hesitate to contact us directly and we will be happy to advise you.
