Jewellery Care Guide

Jewellery often holds significant sentimental value and can be a valuable investment. Whether it's a cherished heirloom or a piece marking a special moment, proper care is essential to maintain its beauty and lustre over time. By following simple care practices, you can preserve your jewellery's brilliance and continue to cherish its elegance and meaning.

GENERAL JEWELLERY CARE ADVICE

If in doubt, take it off and keep it safe: Take off your jewellery before activities that could scratch, knock, or damage it. Always remove jewellery before swimming, bathing, exercising, gardening, cleaning, engaging in arts and crafts, or any activity involving chemicals or abrasives. This precaution protects your jewellery from impacts that could dislodge gems or damage settings, and shields it from chemicals and chlorine that can harm its appearance and durability.
Store Carefully: When not being worn, store your jewellery separately to prevent scratching. Kali Forbes branded boxes are acid-free, designed to prevent jewellery from tarnishing quickly. Alternatively, invest in a good quality jewellery box or travel case with soft-lined compartments to keep items safe, separate, and organised.
Prevent Exposure: Apply hair and beauty products including perfumes, before putting on your jewellery. Organic gemstones such as pearls and opals are especially vulnerable to acids, even perspiration. Minimising exposure to products that you may not even consider chemicals, helps maintain the natural beauty of gemstones and prolongs the life of your jewellery.
Regular Cleaning: Clean your jewellery regularly to maintain its shine and remove oils and dirt buildup. Use a soft, lint-free cloth or a baby's toothbrush with a small amount of mild dish soap and lukewarm water. Once finished cleaning, dry your jewellery using a soft cloth or tissue. Remember, no gemstone is indestructible; some coloured gems are vulnerable to warm water, chemicals, and the vibrations from ultrasonic cleaners. If you feel that your jewellery needs a more thorough clean, you can book a professional cleaning appointment through the Visit page.
Professional Maintenance: Ensure the longevity of your jewellery by scheduling regular aftercare check-ups every few years. This allows us to identify any loose stones or damaged settings promptly and address them to prevent further issues. If you've noticed any issues or faults with your jewellery, please contact us as soon as possible to prevent further loss or damage. For further details about repairs and maintenance, please review the terms.

KALI FORBES JEWELLERY AFTERCARE SERVICE

To ensure your Kali Forbes jewellery pieces maintain their dazzle for years to come, I provide the following professional aftercare services:

Engagement Rings: I am always honoured to design and craft an engagement ring. It brings me great pleasure to see the joy my clients experience when wearing it as a reminder of the special life journey they are embarking on together. To help maintain that special feeling, I offer a complimentary annual setting check and professional clean. Please schedule an aftercare appointment through the Visit page or contact me for further guidance.

Bespoke Fine Jewellery: As with any engagement ring I make, I also offer a complimentary annual setting check and deep clean for all bespoke fine jewellery pieces. You can book an Aftercare appointment through the Visit page.

Matte and textured precious metals will become shinier with wear, this is part of their natural character. Polished metals will also take on their own natural gentle patina through wear. I really enjoy this characteristic as I believe it helps to embed the sentimentality of jewellery through time, however, periodic refinishing is available every few years or so if you would prefer. Please get in contact if that’s something you’re interested in.

Gemstones can occasionally loosen in their settings over time with wear. If you need guidance on checking your settings, I’m happy to help. Should you notice any movement, please stop wearing the jewel and return it to me for inspection. While I ensure stones are securely set, I cannot be responsible for lost stones after purchase. Given the unique nature of gemstones, identical replacements are not guaranteed, but I will find the closest match possible.

Gold Vermeil & Plated Jewellery: To maintain the appearance of your gold vermeil jewellery, it's advisable to remove it before engaging in activities that may cause impact or scratches. Avoid wearing it during swimming, bathing, or while applying hair and beauty products, as these can accelerate tarnishing and wear. The Hepworth Collection is intentionally crafted from bronze and plated with gold vermeil to enhance the jewellery's longevity. The warm hue of bronze closely resembles the gold vermeil overlay, minimising the visibility of natural wear compared to silver-based plating. Over time, wear may become noticeable, particularly on rings and wristwear. Replating is available at an additional cost; please contact me for more details if interested.

Silver Jewellery: To preserve the appearance of your silver jewellery, always remove it before engaging in activities that may cause impact or scratches. Avoid wearing it during swimming, bathing, or while applying hair and beauty products, as these can accelerate tarnishing and wear. Silver naturally tarnishes over time due to its reaction with hydrogen sulphide in the air, and some individuals may find it reacts to perspiration. For home cleaning, you can use silver cleaning products and cloths, but take care as these abrasive methods can damage gemstones. For professional cleaning, please schedule an aftercare appointment through the Visit page or contact me for more information.

Coloured Gemstones: The world of coloured gemstones is vast, each type requiring unique care. For instance, emeralds must be cared for differently to sapphires. As a general rule, always remove jewellery containing coloured gems before activities that may cause knocks or scratches, as natural inclusions can be damaged by impact pressure. Most coloured gemstones are sensitive to heat, sudden temperature changes and chemicals, so remove jewellery before activities like swimming and bathing, and apply beauty products before putting on jewellery. My bespoke clients receive personalised care advice during purchase. For a refresher, please contact me or book an Aftercare appointment through the Visit page.

Diamonds: While diamonds are the hardest known mineral on earth, they are not indestructible. They are strong but can still be damaged. Diamonds often contain natural inclusions that contribute to their unique beauty but can make them susceptible to damage from knocks, heat, sudden temperature changes, and chemicals. This is especially true for salt and pepper diamonds, which have more visible inclusions. To protect your diamond jewellery remove it before engaging in activities such as bathing, swimming, exercising, gardening or DIY tasks. Bespoke clients receive personalised care advice during purchase. For a refresher, please contact me or book an Aftercare appointment through the Visit page.