How do I keep my jewellery clean?

When you wear jewellery and how you store it can have a huge impact on the longevity of your jewellery.  Following a few simple and common-sense guidelines can prolong the life of your jewellery

Caring for your jewellery

Jewellery should be the last thing you put on in the morning as you leave the house, and the first thing that you take off and put away carefully.

Obviously the more you wear it, the more opportunity over time there is for dirt and damage to occur.

Jewellery should NOT be worn while at the gym or doing any physical work.  Sweat produces salt and acids which can tarnish jewellery and may corrode many metals. 

Both sweat and salt water can cause the metal to oxidize and can turn your skin green.  So do NOT wear your jewellery to the beach. 

If you haven't been in contact with salt water, or you don't go to the gym, but still suffer from "green" skin, then you may be producing excess sweat which can have the

same affect.

Jewellery should NOT be worn while washing or showering.  Precious metals can handle fresh water without damage, but the addition of shampoo and soaps with their additives, can cause damage long term.  It is better to remove ALL jewellery before washing. 

Pool chemicals, such as chlorine, can also cause a reaction in metals and it is best to remove jewellery before entering a spa or pool.

Some chemicals, such as sulphur which is found in the atmosphere around Rotorua, is very damaging to metals and can turn silver almost black.

Storage of Jewellery

Jewellery should be stored in a jewellery box with separate compartments.  This prevents the jewellery from rubbing against each other and prevents scratching.  Also when some metals come into contact with others, a chemical reaction can occur which may have an adverse affect on your jewellery, such as an increase in silver tarnishing.

Frenelle sends all jewellery out in individual boxes and these can be kept to put your jewellery in when not being worn.

Alternatively, jewellery boxes can be purchased relatively inexpensively from sources such as Farmers, the Warehouse, Trademe, etc.  Jewellers such as Pascoes and Michael Hill also sell jewellery boxes if your budget can stretch that far.

Cleaning Jewellery

Please do NOT use a jewellery cloth impregnated with chemicals to clean plated jewellery.  This is the fastest way of removing the plating from your jewellery. 

To clean, dip your jewellery into warm water with a MILD dish detergent, leave for 10 mins to loosen any dirt. Rub gently to remove any dirt.  If dirt is stubborn, you could try and brush with an old SOFT toothbrush.  Dry gently with a soft cloth and store jewellery separately.