Looking after your new jewellery is important and relatively simple. There are a few easy and inexpensive ways in which you can achieve this and we will take a look at the most simple first. Please note that it is important to read all of this page before cleaning your jewellery - especially if you are uncertain.

Fill a small bowl with warm water and add a little washing liquid - the same liquid you use to wash your dishes! Make sure that the water isn't hot, as this could possibly loosen gemstones that have been fixed using an adhesive. Using an old toothbrush (preferably not the one you use to clean your teeth), gently scrub your jewellery and gemstones until you have removed the dirt and grime. Rinse under warm (not hot) water and dry with a clean lint-free cloth.

A jewellery cleaning dip can be purchased from most jewellers and used to clean much of your jewellery safely. There are a few guidelines to follow before dipping any jewellery into a chemical cleaning solution (other than a soap solution, which is safe to use with most stone types)

NEVER dip jewellery containing porous stones into a chemical dip. These stones include amber, jet, lapis, opals, pearls (including shell) and turquoise, as they will dry out or flake. Dipping porous stones can cause discolouration and will remove the natural oils leaving behind a dusty looking surface. Dipping pearls and shell can also cause bad flaking of their surface layers.

Gemstones that are safe to dip include amethyst, blue topaz, citrine, diamond, garnet, iolite, peridot, rubies and sapphires - to name a few. If you are uncertain, call us for free advice. Most non-porous gemstones are perfectly safe to clean in a chemical dip, but never leave them in the dip for longer than the time advised on the chemical container instructions - always check!

When dipping your jewellery, check frequently (every minute or so) and stop once the dirt or tarnish has been satisfactorily removed. Once more, rinse the jewellery in warm water and dry with a lint-free cloth.