Caring for your jewellery - The questions that come up most

The jewellery questions that come up most

There are a few questions that come up again and again in the studio.

Can I wear this in the sea? Why has my silver gone dark? What’s the real difference between gold plated and solid gold? Can I mix metals? And what’s the best way to clean everything without ruining it?

So, this month, I thought I’d answer them properly.

I’ve always believed jewellery should be worn. It’s there to become part of your life, not sit untouched in a box. But a little care goes a long way, especially if you live somewhere like Tarifa, where salt, sun and sea air are part of everyday life.

Can I wear my jewellery in the sea?

Yes. Silver and solid gold jewellery can both be worn in the sea.

The thing to remember is that salt water and sea air can speed up tarnishing, particularly with silver. So if you do swim in your jewellery, rinse it in fresh water afterwards, dry it well, and give it a proper clean every now and then.

Gold-plated pieces need a little more care. Because the gold sits as a fine layer over the silver beneath, repeated exposure to salt water, showers and chemicals will wear that plating more quickly.

So for plated jewellery, I’d take it off before swimming if you want the finish to last as long as possible.

Why does silver tarnish?

Silver reacts with the environment around it, and damp, salty air speeds that process up.

Living by the sea, you notice it more.

That darker surface you sometimes see is tarnish. It doesn’t mean the jewellery is damaged, and in most cases it can be cleaned back very easily.

The best thing you can do is store silver somewhere dry when you’re not wearing it. A jewellery box or even a small ziplock bag works well because it limits exposure to damp air.

The less time it spends sitting out in a humid room, the slower the tarnish builds.

What’s the difference between gold plated and solid gold?

Gold-plated jewellery has a very fine layer of gold applied over another metal.

All of my gold-plated jewellery is plated over solid sterling silver, so underneath the gold you still have a quality precious metal rather than a cheap base.

The plating itself is around one micron of 24ct gold.

Because it’s a surface layer, it will naturally wear over time. How quickly that happens depends on how often you wear the piece, where you wear it, and what it comes into contact with.

Showers, sea water, sleeping in jewellery, perfume, sun cream and general friction will all shorten the life of the plating.

Solid gold is different because the gold runs all the way through the piece rather than sitting on the surface. It will still benefit from cleaning and care, but there’s no plated finish to wear away.

Can I mix silver and gold?

Of course.

I do it all the time.

Silver, yellow gold and gold-plated silver all have slightly different tones, and that’s part of what makes them work so well together.

There’s no rule saying you have to pick one metal and stick to it.

A silver necklace with a warmer gold detail, a mix of rings across both metals, or a layered combination of different finishes can look far more interesting than keeping everything perfectly matched.

It really just comes down to balance.

How should I clean my jewellery?

For most everyday pieces, keep it simple.

Warm soapy water is usually enough. Fairy Liquid works perfectly well.

Use a soft toothbrush to gently clean around settings, textures and small details, then rinse and dry the piece thoroughly.

Once it’s dry, polish it with a soft jewellery cloth.

Doing this regularly stops dirt and tarnish building up, and your jewellery stays brighter for longer.

It’s much easier to keep a piece looking good with the occasional quick clean than to leave it for years and then try to bring it back all at once.

And one of the easiest habits is simply to avoid spraying perfume or putting sun cream directly onto your jewellery.

Apply everything else first. Jewellery goes on last.

What about bicarbonate of soda?

There’s an old cleaning trick using bicarbonate of soda, tin foil and hot water.

For plain sterling silver, this can sometimes help lift stubborn tarnish by creating a chemical reaction that draws it away from the metal.

But I’d only use this method carefully and selectively.

I wouldn’t use it on gold-plated jewellery, pearls, porous stones or anything delicate. If a piece has gemstones, plating or fine detail and you’re not sure what’s safe, ask before trying a home cleaning method.

Sometimes the simplest option is the best one: warm soapy water, a soft brush, a good rinse and a polishing cloth.

Does gold tarnish too?

Yes, although much more slowly than silver.

Jewellery-grade gold is mixed with other metals to give it strength, and those metals can react over time.

So even solid gold benefits from the same basic care: regular cleaning, keeping it away from unnecessary chemicals, and storing it properly when you’re not wearing it.

Gold-plated pieces need the gentlest treatment of all because preserving the surface finish is the main priority.

The main thing

Wear your jewellery.

Let it travel with you. Let it become part of your everyday life.

Just give it a little attention along the way.

Rinse it after the sea. Keep silver dry when you’re not wearing it. Take plated pieces off before swimming and showering. Clean everything regularly rather than waiting until it desperately needs it.

Jewellery lasts better when you look after it, but it should still look like it belongs to someone who actually wears it.

Jenny x