Care for your jewellery
Crafted in Solid Gold, 24k Gold plated Sterling Silver and Sterling Silver, all of my jewellery is handmade in my studios in London and Munich. The quality of my jewellery is extremely important and I only use the best materials and processes for every product.
This guide will help you to maintain your jewellery pieces for as long as possible. There are many factors that can influence the wear and tear of your jewellery. It is important to remember that jewellery is delicate and needs to be looked after carefully.
Solid Gold
I design jewellery in 9k and 18k Solid Gold. Solid Gold does not oxidise or discolour and so I recommend choosing this option for any jewellery you wish to wear daily or any favourite piece you want to hold onto forever. Regular cleaning can easily be done at home.
Simply add a few drops of mild washing up liquid to a bowl of lukewarm water and soak your solid gold jewellery for about 15 to 30 minutes. After soaking, gently scrub with a soft-bristle toothbrush to remove any hidden grime. Next, rinse each piece in warm running water to remove any remaining dirt. Finally, lightly blot dry with a soft cloth and let the jewellery sit out on a towel to air dry completely before wearing.
24k Gold Plated Sterling Silver
24k Gold Plated jewellery is Sterling Silver which has been coated with 3-5 microns of 24k gold plate, a very thick coating and therefore longer lasting. It is a very high quality at an affordable price. However if worn continuously the gold plating will eventually wear away. This is not a fault in the product, but normal wear and tear. To maintain the finish for as long as possible, please follow these recommendations for care.
Remove jewellery when washing your hands, showering or swimming because water and chemicals can affect the longevity of the gold plating. Put your jewellery on last when getting ready as makeup, perfume, hairspray, and lotions can affect shine of your pieces. To clean your jewellery and restore its shine I recommend that you use a jewellery polishing cloth to GENTLY rub the surface. If your jewellery needs more cleaning you may also soak it for a few minutes in lukewarm soapy water, rinse under running water and dry it with a soft cloth. Do not use a polishing agent or abrasive liquids as these will wear away the layers of gold.
The nature of Sterling Silver is that it can oxidise when it comes into contact with air and so Gold Plated and Silver jewellery can both be prone to tarnishing. This is not a fault and I recommend gently rubbing your jewellery with a specialised cleaning cloth to restore its shine.
Gemstones
All of my semi precious gemstones are completely natural, meaning that each stone is unique to you! There can be variations in colour and pattern within the stones, but each stone is carefully selected for each design. To care for your gemstones, it is recommended to take the following steps.:
Do not keep jewellery in direct sunlight and remove it whilst sunbathing. Extreme temperatures and strong UV rays can cause gemstones to fade in colour and shine. Remove jewellery when washing your hands, showering or swimming because water and chemicals can dull gemstones. Be mindful of any bumps when wearing semi precious gemstones and always remove jewellery when exercising.
Diamonds
To keep your diamonds in sparkling condition, regular cleaning is recommended..
Use lukewarm water with mild washing up liquid and a very soft toothbrush to gently clean away any dirt and grime. Then rinse (again in lukewarm water), blot dry and leave to air dry before wearing or storing.
Pearls
Wear them! Wear them at least semi often.Pearls were originally born in the water and benefit immensely from absorbing the oils that your skin naturally secrets throughout the day.
Make sure to put on your pearls after finished spraying perfume or hairspray and putting on makeup.Be very careful with any chemical substances. Do not submerge your pearls in water, no showers or swimming.
Gently wipe pearls with a soft cloth to remove sweat, perfume, excess oils or dirt before putting them away. Pearls should be stored away from other jewellery that may scratch their surfaces. Wrap the pearls in linen, soft cloth or place in a soft pouch. Do NOT store pearls in an airtight package such as a plastic bag, remember pearls need moisture.
Storing
Store your pieces safely in a dry, fabric lined jewellery box or a soft fabric pouch. If possible, store each piece individually to prevent any tangling or scratching. If you intend to store your jewellery for a long time without wearing, please wrap it in an airtight bag within your jewellery box to help ward off tarnishing.
Warranty
My jewellery is covered by a 6 month warranty upon receipt of a valid proof of purchase. Solid Gold items are covered by a 12 month warranty. The warranty is only on faulty items and does not cover wear and tear. Please email me at contact@birgitaxters.com and include your order number, description and images of the faulty product.