Jowellery Care: The Art of the Mix

The pieces from our museum are often intricate compositions of many materials, blending 14k gold-filled and sterling silver with organic treasures like cultured pearls, jade and coloured gemstones.

Because each of these materials has its own unique personality and care requirements, we know that maintaining a combination piece can feel like a balancing act.

To make it simple, we have provided some General Guidelines below. These steps ensure that while you polish the metal, you aren't harming the gems.

For those who wish to dive deeper into the care of specific stones or metals, we encourage you to explore the Care By Material section below for further explanation on how to care for each individual element.

The Daily Ritual: Simple steps for the longevity of your jewellery.

General Guidelines

Wearing

To maintain the brilliance of your piece, always put on your jewellery last. Apply all skincare, makeup, perfumes, and hair products first and allow them to settle fully before dressing; wet chemicals are highly reactive, and this delay prevents residues from permanently clouding porous materials like pearls and jade.

Remove your jewellery before showering, swimming (in both chlorine and salt water), exercising, or performing household tasks. Exposure to moisture, sweat and chemicals can lead to tarnishing, while physical impact and friction may snag the intricate join points common in mixed-material designs or loosen delicate settings.

Handling your jewellery with this level of care ensures the longevity of its unique, architectural finish.

Storage

Ensure your jewellery is thoroughly dry before storing, and keep it away from direct sunlight and heat.

When in transit, use a soft velvet pouch to cushion the piece from movement and prevent surface abrasion.

Always keep pieces separated to prevent different materials from scratching or reacting with one another.

When at home, store your pieces in a breathable, soft-lined jewellery box or fabric pouch rather than an airtight bag; mixed materials often require subtle airflow to maintain their structural integrity.

To combat humidity, place silica gel packets or anti-tarnish strips inside your storage area to absorb excess moisture and neutralize harmful gases. Replace or reactivate silica gel every 2–6 months, or as soon as their colour indicator shifts, since high humidity will saturate them faster. Anti-tarnish strips should be swapped for fresh ones every 6 months to ensure continuous metal protection.

Cleaning

To keep your jewellery looking its best, gently wipe it with a soft, lint-free cloth after each wear to remove surface oils and perspiration.

For a deeper clean, use lukewarm water mixed with a drop of mild, fragrance-free soap.Use a soft-bristled brush to gently clean the metal areas, but avoid soaking the piece entirely. Instead, use a damp cloth to wipe down the different materials, ensuring you don’t saturate any porous or organic elements.

Never use ultrasonic cleaners, steam, or abrasive chemicals, as the heat and vibrations can compromise the structural integrity or finish of mixed-material designs.

Treat each component according to its most delicate element. When in doubt, default to the gentler method.

Once finished, ensure your jewellery is completely dry before storing to prevent moisture from being trapped between the different components.

The Specifics: Customised cleaning and storage for every unique component.

Care By Material

14k Gold-Filled

Gold-filled jewellery features a thick layer of real gold bonded to its core for lasting wear. It holds its colour and finish well over time, even with regular use, when cared for properly.

Wearing: Designed for everyday wear. Remove before swimming, showering, or exercising to maintain its finish.

Cleaning: Wipe with a soft lint-free cloth and lukewarm water. Dry thoroughly after cleaning.

  • For purely metal pieces: In the event of oxidation, use a jewellery polishing cloth (not silver-specific) to restore shine.

  • For mixed-material designs: For materials other than the metal itself, such as gemstones and pearls, avoid direct contact with polishing cloths or chemical solutions to preserve their natural luster and integrity. Use only lukewarm water and mild soap, as the abrasive compounds in jewellery cleaners can dull or damage the stone’s finish.

Storage: Store in a cool, dry place away from sunlight and heat.

  • For purely metal pieces: For longer storage, use an airtight pouch or container with an anti-tarnish strip to minimise oxidation. This keeps the piece protected from oxidation caused by humidity and air during its 'off-duty' time. Always ensure the jewellery is clean and thoroughly dry before sealing it away.

  • For mixed-material designs: While pure gold-filled pieces thrive in airtight environments, those featuring jade, pearls, or other organic materials require a different approach. These natural elements are porous and need to 'breathe' to maintain their luster and structural integrity; sealing them in airtight plastic can cause them to become brittle or discolored over time. For these mixed designs, we recommend a breathable, soft-lined pouch or box kept in a cool, dry place. This provides the necessary airflow for your stones while the soft lining protects the gold-filled hardware from scratches.

Pro-tip: Your gold-filled pieces love to be worn! Avoid leaving pieces stored away for extended periods without wear. In humid environments, trapped moisture combined with inactivity can lead to oxidation, sometimes appearing as green or brown marks.

Note: Discoloration depends on individual body chemistry and storage conditions. Regular wear and proper storage prevent most issues entirely.

925 Sterling Silver

Silver naturally darkens over time. Brown or gray spots aren't damage, they're oxidation and polish out instantly with a soft cloth.

Wearing: Remove before swimming, showering, or exercising. Silver is durable for everyday wear but benefits from gentle handling.

Cleaning: Use a soft, lint-free cloth to gently polish.

  • For purely metal pieces: For deeper cleaning, use a silver polishing cloth.

  • For mixed-material designs: Avoid rubbing the gemstone/pearls with the silver polishing cloth, as the cleaning compounds embedded in the fabric can be too abrasive for softer or porous stones like jade.

Storage: Store in a cool, dry place. Keep away from moisture and direct sunlight.

  • For purely metal pieces: Store in an airtight pouch with an anti-tarnish strip to prevent the silver base from oxidising.

  • For mixed-material designs: Store in a breathable, soft-lined box or pouch. While the metal loves a seal, organic elements like jade or pearls require airflow to maintain their integrity.

Gold-Plated Sterling Silver (925 Silver Base)

Gold plating is a thin layer of gold over sterling silver. It's beautiful and durable with proper care.

Wearing: Remove before swimming, showering, or exercising. Avoid prolonged contact with water, as this can accelerate wear on the plating.

Cleaning: Use a soft, damp cloth with mild soap and lukewarm water. Pat dry immediately.

  • For purely metal pieces: You can use a soft polishing cloth to gently buff the gold.

  • For mixed-material designs: Avoid rubbing gemstones, pearls, or other materials with polishing cloths, as the compounds can be too abrasive for softer or porous stones. Stick to the damp cloth method like with our Blue Lace Agate Earrings.

Storage: Store in a cool, dry place, ideally in a separate pouch or box to prevent scratching. Keep away from moisture and direct sunlight.

  • For purely metal pieces: Store in an airtight pouch with an anti-tarnish strip to protect the underlying silver.

  • For mixed-material designs: Store in a breathable, soft-lined box or pouch. While the metal benefits from a seal, organic elements like jade or pearls require airflow to maintain their integrity.


Note: Over time and with wear, gold plating may thin. This is normal wear and doesn't compromise the piece.

Stainless Steel

Our stainless steel pieces are plated by Physical Vapour Disposition (PVD). For stainless steel earrings, our ear posts made of 316L Surgical Steel.

What is Physical Vapour Disposition (PVD)? PVD is a durable coating applied to the metal base that resists tarnishing and discoloration far better than silver. The 316L surgical steel posts are hypoallergenic and ideal for sensitive skin. This coating was chosen for its durability and colour stability, making these pieces excellent for everyday wear.

Wearing: PVD pieces are built for everyday wear and are more resistant to water and chemicals than silver. That said, remove before swimming or prolonged water exposure.

Cleaning: Use a soft, damp cloth with lukewarm water to gently clean. Pat dry thoroughly. Avoid abrasive cloths or harsh chemicals. If your piece includes enamel or pearls like The Firstborn Earrings, see the relevant care sections below for additional guidance.

Storage: Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. This helps preserve the coating's colour integrity over time.

Pearls

Pearls are organic, porous gems that require gentle handling. Except for pieces explicitly noted as Swarovski Crystal Pearls, every pearl in our collection is a genuine cultured pearl, hand-selected for its exceptional radiance.

Wearing: Because pearls are porous, they easily absorb oils and chemicals. Always apply perfume, hairspray, and makeup before (!!) putting on your pearls. This prevents them from absorbing substances that can cause discolouration or dullness over time.

Cleaning: After each wear, wipe your pearls with a soft, lint-free cloth (such as microfiber). Avoid using tissues or rough towels; their microscopic fibres can get trapped in the pearl's pores or cause tiny, invisible scratches. Over time, these micro-scratches scatter light and make the pearl appear dull.

A Note on Jewellery Cloths: Do not use standard jewellery polishing cloths. These often contain chemical abrasives meant for metal that will permanently strip away the pearl's delicate surface.

Storage: Pearls contain a small amount of water and need ambient moisture to stay healthy. If they dry out, they may become brittle and lose their glow. Store them in a soft, breathable pouch in a cool place. Avoid airtight plastic bags, hot water, or direct sunlight, which can dehydrate the pearl and lead to cracking.

Jade

Jade is a remarkably tough stone, but its porous structure requires thoughtful care to prevent it from becoming dry or discoloured.

Wearing: Jade is durable enough for daily wear, but because it is porous, it can absorb oils, acids, and chemicals. Follow the "Last On, First Off" rule: apply all perfume, hairspray, and lotions before putting on your jade to prevent substances from seeping into the stone's pores and dulling its colour.

While jade is difficult to break, it can still chip or develop internal "fissures" if struck against hard surfaces. Always remove your jewellery before high-impact activities or swimming in chlorinated or saltwater pools

Cleaning: After each wear, wipe the stone gently with a soft, lint-free cloth (like microfiber). For a deeper clean, use lukewarm water and a drop of mild, alcohol-free soap.

Avoid hot water, which can cause internal thermal shock, and never use ultrasonic or steam cleaners, which can shatter its crystalline structure.

Do not soak jade for long periods, as it can absorb minerals or chemicals from the water that may later cause staining.

Storage: Jadeite contains trace amounts of moisture that give it its signature "watery" lustre. Store your jade in a cool, stable environment. Avoid direct sunlight or storing near heaters, as extreme heat accelerates moisture loss, making the stone look dry and dull.

Pyrite

Pyrite is an iron sulfide mineral with a brassy metallic lustre and cubic crystal structure. We use pyrite as accent beads, typically a few small pieces or larger focal beads to anchor our designs with an industrial edge. The mineral's geometric shimmer cuts through the warmth of gold and silver, grounding glam with a raw, utilitarian quality.

While durable for jewellery wear, pyrite is softer than many gemstones and requires mindful handling to preserve its reflective surface.

Wearing: Because pyrite appears as small accent beads in our designs, it's well-suited to everyday wear across earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and rings. The small scale means minimal impact risk. Still, avoid wearing your piece during high-impact activities like contact sports or rigorous exercise, and remove it before swimming or showering. Prolonged water exposure can degrade the mineral's surface finish over time.

Cleaning: Gently wipe your piece with a soft, dry cloth after wear to remove oils and dust. For the pyrite beads specifically, avoid rubbing aggressively as the mineral's surface can oxidise and dull if over-polished. If a deeper clean is needed, use lukewarm water and mild soap with a soft cloth, then dry thoroughly and immediately. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners and steamers, as they can damage the mineral's surface finish.

Storage: Keep your piece in a cool, dry place, separate from other pieces to prevent scratching. Store in a soft pouch or padded box.

If your piece has moisture-sensitive gemstones, store it in a moderately humid environment rather than bone-dry. The mineral develops a subtle patina over time, deepening its industrial edge. This is a natural evolution of the material and part of its character.

All other coloured Stones

Coloured gemstones — amethyst, citrine, garnet, labradorite — are softer and more vulnerable than diamonds. They fade in sunlight, crack under pressure, and get clouded by residue. Keep them away from heat, light, and chemicals.

Wearing: Remove before swimming, showering, exercise, or applying skincare, perfume, and hairspray. Chlorine, salt water, sweat, and chemicals dull the stone and can weaken the setting. Coloured stones are softer than you'd think. Avoid wearing during contact sports or anything that risks impact.

Cleaning: Wipe with a soft cloth after wear. For deeper cleaning, use lukewarm water and mild soap with a soft cloth, then dry immediately. Skip ultrasonic cleaners and steamers as they can damage soft stones and loosen settings.

Storage: Keep away from direct sunlight. UV exposure fades most coloured stones. Store in a soft pouch or padded box, separate from other pieces.