Jewellery Care

Looking After Your Jewellery

or how to keep silver shining, stones safe, and stories intact

Most of the pieces I make are designed to be worn, not hidden away. They’ll age a little as they go - like we all do - but with a bit of care, they’ll stay strong and beautiful for years to come.

A few quiet rules

Keep it dry. Silver doesn’t get on with water, especially when it's mingled with soaps, perfumes, or salt. Best to take jewellery off before bathing, swimming, or washing up.

Store it softly. A small pouch, a lined box, or even a drawer will do. Somewhere it won't be scratched or jumbled with other bits and bobs. Silver likes stillness.

Polish gently. Over time, silver develops a soft patina. Some like that weathered look - others prefer it bright. If you fall into the latter camp, a gentle rub with a silver polishing cloth now and then will bring back the shine.
Do avoid chemical dips, especially on pieces with stones, keum-boo, or oxidised finishes, they’ll strip away all the character (and possibly the gold!).

Don’t sleep in it. Tempting, I know, especially with something beloved. But night-time knocks and tugs aren’t kind to chains or delicate settings.

Be kind to stones. Some natural stones (like moonstone, labradorite, or opal) are more sensitive than they let on. Avoid harsh cleaning, sudden temperature changes, or being whacked against a doorframe (speaking from experience!!).

A quiet word about cuffs

Cuffs are meant to slide on, not be prised open and shut like a clam.

To put one on, turn your wrist so your thumb faces up, and find the soft spot just below the wrist bone (that little hollow on the thumb side). Gently roll the open part of the cuff over this spot and onto your arm.
No pulling, no bending, just a smooth twist and glide.

Once it’s on, you can nudge it slightly for comfort, but try not to keep adjusting it by squeezing or stretching the metal. Over time, that can weaken the shape or cause stress fractures. And no one wants a moody cuff.

If it ever feels too tight or too loose, let me know, I can adjust the fit properly in the workshop, without putting the piece under strain.

A note on oxidised silver

Some of my pieces are intentionally darkened using an oxidising process—it gives a lovely depth and contrast, like shadow against light. This finish is a surface treatment, so it will naturally wear over time, especially on raised or high-contact areas.
It’s part of the charm, I think, a soft fading, like sea-smoothed driftwood.

If you ever want a piece re-darkened, I’m happy to do that for you.

About keum-boo (gilded silver)

Keum-boo is an ancient Korean technique where 24ct gold is bonded to fine silver with heat and pressure. The result is a bright, buttery flash of gold, rich but subtle.
It’s a permanent bond, but still surface-level, so it’s best to avoid abrasive cleaning or rough handling. Let it wear gently. Let it tell its story slowly.

A word on tarnish

Tarnish is just silver’s way of reacting to the world - air, skin, time. It’s natural, and honestly, a little poetic. But if it bothers you, keeping pieces in an airtight bag can help slow it down. And again, that polishing cloth is your friend (just not on oxidised bits).