Jewellery Care & Ownership Guide

Diamonds are exceptionally hard, but the precious metals surrounding them are considerably softer.

Gold and platinum need to be workable enough for jewellers to shape, manufacture, set and finish. This also means that rings can scratch, bend or wear through normal everyday use.

Claws and settings are particularly important because very small amounts of metal are responsible for securing valuable diamonds.

Over time, normal wear can gradually reduce the thickness of a claw or setting. This is why jewellery should be inspected periodically rather than waiting until something appears wrong.

We recommend having frequently worn fine jewellery professionally inspected on a regular basis.

An inspection may include checking:

Engagement rings and wedding rings deserve particular attention because they are usually worn every day.

If you notice a diamond moving, a claw catching on clothing, a change in the shape of your ring or anything else unusual, stop wearing the jewellery and have it inspected.

Diamonds naturally attract oils from the skin, hand creams, cosmetics and everyday products.

Over time, this residue can form a film over the diamond and reduce its brilliance.

For routine cleaning at home, a gentle solution of warm water and mild dishwashing liquid can be used for many diamond and precious-metal pieces.

Allow the jewellery to soak briefly before gently cleaning around the diamond and setting with a very soft toothbrush. Pay particular attention to the underside of the diamond, where residue commonly accumulates.

Rinse carefully and dry with a soft, lint-free cloth.

Important: Never clean jewellery over an open sink. Use a bowl or ensure the drain is completely closed.

Not every piece of jewellery should be cleaned in the same way.

Extra care should be taken with:

If you are uncertain, have the piece professionally inspected before cleaning it.

An engagement ring is often one of the most frequently worn pieces of fine jewellery a person owns.

Although it may be tempting to wear it constantly, there are situations where removing it is the safer option.

Consider removing your engagement ring when:

This is particularly important for delicate designs, fine pavé settings and rings with larger centre diamonds.

Gym equipment can place significant pressure on a ring.

Holding metal weights or exercise equipment can compress the shank against the finger, potentially scratching, bending or distorting the ring.

Even a small change in the shape of a ring can affect the settings holding the diamonds.

For this reason, fine rings are best removed before weight training or similar activities.

Gold is a beautiful and durable precious metal, but all gold jewellery will develop signs of wear over time.

The characteristics vary according to the gold alloy and carat.

Yellow Gold

Yellow gold generally requires relatively simple maintenance. Regular professional cleaning and polishing can restore much of its original lustre.

White Gold

Most white-gold jewellery is rhodium plated to create its bright white appearance.

With normal wear, this rhodium coating gradually wears away, and the underlying warmer colour of the white-gold alloy may become visible.

This is normal and does not indicate a problem with the jewellery.

White gold can be professionally polished and rhodium plated when required.

Rose Gold

Rose gold obtains its warm pink tone from the metals alloyed with the gold.

Like yellow gold, it can develop surface scratches through everyday wear and can be professionally cleaned and polished.

Platinum behaves differently from gold.

Rather than losing small amounts of metal when scratched, platinum tends to displace the metal across its surface. Over time, this creates a soft, slightly matte appearance known as a patina.

Some people love the character of platinum's natural patina, while others prefer a highly polished appearance.

If you prefer the original bright finish, platinum can be professionally polished.

Its naturally white colour means it does not require rhodium plating.

Pavé and micro-pavé jewellery contains numerous small diamonds secured by very small amounts of precious metal.

The effect is beautiful, but these settings require appropriate care.

Avoid exposing pavé jewellery to heavy knocks, pressure or activities that could distort the ring.

Regular inspection is particularly important because the settings are extremely small.

If a diamond appears loose or the ring has received a significant impact, stop wearing it until it has been professionally inspected.

Diamonds are the hardest naturally occurring material, but hardness and toughness are not the same thing.

A diamond is highly resistant to scratching, but a sufficiently hard impact in the wrong location can chip or damage it.

Certain diamond shapes require particular attention because they contain pointed areas.

These include:

Well-designed settings help protect vulnerable areas, but sensible care is still important.

Jewellery should ideally be stored so that individual pieces do not rub against one another.

Diamonds are capable of scratching other diamonds and precious metals.

Use individual compartments, jewellery pouches or soft-lined jewellery boxes wherever possible.

Necklaces should be stored carefully to minimise tangling, while earrings should ideally be kept as pairs.

When travelling, jewellery should be securely stored rather than placed loose inside luggage.

A purpose-designed jewellery case with separate compartments provides additional protection.

Consider carefully which jewellery you need to take with you and avoid leaving valuable pieces unattended in hotel rooms or luggage.

Fine jewellery can represent both significant financial and emotional value.

Appropriate insurance can provide protection against circumstances that normal jewellery care cannot prevent, including loss, theft and certain types of accidental damage, subject to the terms of the individual insurance policy.

Keep relevant documentation such as:

You should periodically check that your insurance coverage and valuations remain appropriate.

If your ring receives a significant impact, inspect it carefully.

Look for:

Not all damage is immediately visible.

If you are concerned, remove the ring and arrange a professional inspection.

Finger size can change over time, and rings may eventually require resizing.

Not every ring can be resized in exactly the same way.

Factors including the metal, setting style, number of diamonds and whether diamonds extend around the complete circumference of the ring can affect the resizing process.

Full-eternity rings in particular can be more difficult to alter because diamonds continue around the entire band.

If your ring becomes noticeably tight or loose, have the fit professionally assessed.

Jewellery that has been worn for decades may require more than cleaning and polishing.

Claws can become thin, shanks can wear and settings can gradually weaken.

Before regularly wearing an inherited or older piece, consider having its condition professionally assessed.

Where appropriate, jewellery can often be restored while retaining the character and sentimental significance of the original piece.

There is no need to polish jewellery every time a small scratch appears.

Fine surface marks are a natural consequence of wearing jewellery and become part of the character of the piece.

Professional polishing can restore a brighter finish when desired, but it should be carried out appropriately because polishing involves refinishing the surface of the metal.

The best approach is straightforward:

Wear it thoughtfully.Remove fine jewellery during activities likely to cause impact or damage.

Keep it clean.Regular gentle cleaning helps diamonds maintain their brilliance.

Store it properly.Keep pieces separated to prevent unnecessary scratching and damage.

Check it regularly.Pay attention to claws, settings and any changes in the jewellery.

Have it professionally inspected.Preventative maintenance can identify wear before it becomes a larger problem.