I recommend following these guidelines and care instructions to keep your jewellery in the best possible condition:

• With all jewellery, avoid contact with perfume, hairspray, creams etc. These products should be applied before wearing your jewellery and should also be allowed to dry.
• Avoid wearing your jewellery when using bleach, cleaning products and other chemicals.
• Remove rings whilst gardening, DIY, swimming, playing sport or any other active pursuit as these are likely to cause scratches or other damage or loss. 
• Please note that chlorine in a swimming pool can blacken silver.  This may be a finish that you like, but if not, it’s advisable to take silver jewellery off before swimming in a pool. 
• Keep your jewellery away from extreme temperatures, humidity or sunlight.
• Gemstones can be vulnerable to absorbing dirt and to chipping, some more than others. Settings may also become loose over-time. Regularly check your stone settings to ensure there have been no knocks that may have dislodged a stone.  

Cleaning Precious Metals

Sterling silver will tarnish quickly when not worn regularly. To take care of your sterling silver jewellery, polish it frequently with a soft dry cloth to avoid tarnish (do not use silver dip). Ideally, use a specially impregnated silver polishing cloth to ensure that your jewellery continues to retain its original lustre and shine.

All precious metals can become dull over time with a build-up of grease and dirt and should be cleaned from time to time with liquid soap, water and gentle brushing with a soft toothbrush.  When dry, polish with a soft dry lint free cloth.  

Cleaning Gemstones

• Since many natural gemstones can be quite delicate, hot water, harsh chemicals and cleaners should be avoided at all times.
• Clean your gemstones with a clean, soft, damp cloth after wearing.
• Very porous stones such as Turquoise, Howlite and Emerald should be cleaned using an untreated, dry, soft cloth only.

Do not use tissue paper or paper towels to clean gemstones or precious metals as they can cause scratching.

Storage of your Jewellery

I recommend you store your jewellery in the original gift box or bag or another suitably lined box or soft pouch with the anti-tarnish tab provided, and keep it in a cool, dry place keeping individual pieces separate to avoid scratching.

Caring for your pearls

Pearls, like all natural and precious gems, need care and attention to prolong their life and to preserve their natural beauty as long as possible.  Wearing them often will help to maintain their lustre.  If you look after them correctly you will have them for life!

Pearl Maintenance

• Always put on your pearl jewellery AFTER your perfume, makeup, hairspray, creams etc have been applied and have dried.
• Never wear your pearls in water.
• If worn frequently, pearls should be restrung approximately once a year with silk thread or other suitable non-stretch thread and knotted between every pearl to avoid damage from rubbing against each other.
• It is important to check the thread regularly for signs of wear and tear, and if the knots are dirty or the thread between the pearls has become stretched, it is usually time to have them re-strung. 

Pearl Cleaning

Because of their sensitive and delicate nature, you should clean your pearls with a soft dry cloth.  Never wash them in water as the silk or other thread can weaken.   As grease and dirt can build up between the pearls, it is a good opportunity for them to be cleaned when they have a restring.

Pearl Storage

After wearing, wipe with a very soft cloth before storing.  Store your pearls in a soft-lined box or other suitable soft pouch in a cool dry place.  Pearls need to breath so do not store in a plastic bag, nor expose them to humidity, or excessive heat or sunlight as over time your pearls can lose their lustre and the thread can become brittle and break.

Guarantee

All my jewellery comes with a 12 month guarantee which covers my workmanship and materials, taking into account normal wear and tear. 

I hope you are thrilled with your Nicole Jansen jewellery.  I am always happy to discuss any queries relating to your purchase, both before and after, so please do get in touch if you have any questions.