Jewellery care
Handcrafted jewellery lasts for years when it is kept dry, clean and stored on its own. Three things do most of the damage: moisture, chemicals and pieces rubbing against each other.
Wearing
- Put jewellery on last, after perfume, deodorant, hair spray, make-up and moisturiser have dried — and take it off first.
- Take it off before bathing, swimming, exercise, cooking and cleaning. Water, sweat, chlorine and detergents dull plating and loosen stone settings.
- Do not sleep in it. Chains kink, stones catch and plating wears against fabric.
Cleaning
- Wipe each piece with a soft, dry cloth after wearing, to remove sweat and skin oils before you put it away.
- Do not use water, soap, jewellery dips, polish, toothpaste or ultrasonic cleaners unless the section below says the material can take it.
- Use a soft, dry brush to lift dust from between stones and from filigree work.
Storing
- Keep each piece in its own pouch, zip bag or box so pieces cannot scratch each other. Squeeze the air out of zip bags.
- Store in a dry place away from sunlight — not in the bathroom. A sachet of silica gel in the box helps in humid weather.
- Lay necklace sets flat or hang them, with the dori untangled, so the settings are not bent.
By material
Kundan and Polki
The stones are held in place over a foil backing, and moisture that gets behind a stone clouds it permanently. Keep these pieces completely dry, clean them only with a dry cloth or brush, and store them wrapped in soft cotton or butter paper.
Gold-plated jewellery
Plating is a thin layer of gold over a base metal, and it wears with friction and chemicals. Dry-wipe only, never polish, and store airtight. With that care the colour holds for a long time; all plating fades eventually with frequent wear.
Pearls
Pearls are soft and porous. Keep perfume and hair products off them, wipe them with a slightly damp cloth after wearing and let them dry before storing, and keep them away from harder stones that can scratch them.
Meenakari (enamel)
Enamel can chip if it is knocked or dropped. Store these pieces padded and on their own, and keep them away from chemicals and heat.
Oxidised and silver jewellery
The dark finish on oxidised jewellery is deliberate — do not use silver polish or dips on it, which strip the finish. Silver darkens naturally in air; storing it airtight slows this down.
If something needs attention
A loose stone or a clasp that needs tightening is usually a simple fix. Message us on WhatsApp with a photo — see the Contact page.