Jewellery Care
Acrylic
Acrylic can be brittle and snap easily - especially large and thin pieces. To help avoid this, take general care when handling/wearing, and particularly avoid bending or twisting.
Additionally, store acrylic pieces in their own bag/box - away from other jewellery. If stored with other items there is an increased risk of breakages, scratching and chipping.
Pieces which are made of silver and acrylic may require extra consideration, especially when cleaning. Washing these pieces in moderately warm water with a little mild soap and a soft cloth/sponge tends to work well - as long as care is taken not to scratch. It is not advised to use polishing compounds or cloths on acrylic as it may damage the surface.
Some ageing/wear and tear of acrylic pieces is inevitable, however taking good general care will help them to look as fresh as possible.
Silver
Silver is prone to tarnishing which darkens the metal in a distinctive aged way. To help minimise this and keep your pieces looking fresh there are some simple steps you can take.
Firstly, cleaning pieces after wear. Skin produces oils and substances which tarnish metal over time. To reduce this, clean jewellery in warm but not hot water with a mild soap and a soft cloth or sponge. Make sure to rinse and dry thoroughly. It is not necessary to wash each time you wear but doing this occasionally will help reduce build-up.
Secondly, polishing pieces. There are a huge range of polishing and protective compounds and materials on the market. Occasional polishing can be a helpful way of reducing tarnish and increasing shine. Even rubbing with a dry and clean, soft cloth can be useful. It is advised to use products designed for silver, and to follow manufacturer’s instructions. Note - some products may affect or change certain finishes of the metal.
Thirdly is storage. It is best to store silver away from other metals and to ensure pieces are kept in packaging which is acid and chemical free. To avoid scratching or rubbing it is also advisable to keep items separate from each other. Silver is a fairly soft metal and is prone to bending and misshaping. Storing pieces well will help avoid this. Using anti-tarnish strips are often effective too.
If you have any questions regarding care please do get in touch!