Guide to caring for jewellery

Proper jewellery care is essential to preserve the longevity and beauty of each piece. By understanding the unique qualities of your jewellery, you can ensure it stays in excellent condition over time. To prevent damage:  

• keep items away from hard surfaces 

• store them separately 

• remove them before exercising, gardening or heavy housework. 

How to preserve the following gemstones:

Pearls

Naturally delicate, pearls can lose their luster or break over time. To ensure their longevity, Pearls should be the last item you put on and the first item you remove after wear. Due to their porous nature, avoid perfume, hairspray, and sweat; wipe after wearing and store in a soft pouch and avoid airtight containers. With regular wear, you should restring annually to prevent breakage. 

Diamonds 

Extremely durable due to their hardness, diamonds can loosen in their settings over time. Store diamonds separately to avoid scratching other jewellery. Clean with warm water, mild detergent and a soft brush. Occasional professional cleaning can assist in maintaining brilliance.

Coloured stones

Varying in hardness, softer stones like opals and emeralds are more prone to chipping or dulling. Clean gently with warm water and mild soap; avoid harsh chemicals to avoid degrading over time. Occasional professional cleaning can assist in maintaining an item's lifespan.

Opals 

Keep it away from sudden temperature changes, chemicals, perfumes, and lotions. Remove opal jewellery before swimming, showering, exercising, or doing hands‑on activities. 

Clean only with a soft, damp cloth and don’t soak doublets or triplets. Store your opal separately in a soft pouch or lined box. To preserve its natural moisture, avoid keeping the opal in a dry place.

How to care for precious metals

Gold, platinum and silver may tarnish or scratch with wear over time. Polish with a jewellery cloth and check settings regularly to ensure any gemstones have not loosened in their settings. For tarnish, soak in warm water or seek professional cleaning.

Plated metals

Plated metals have a thin layer precious metal over a base metal, which will fade or wear off over time. This happens faster with frequent contact with water, sweat or perfume. Remove before cleaning or exercising. Wipe gently and store separately. 

Sterling silver 

Sterling silver is prone to tarnishing, especially when exposed to moisture, chemicals or sunlight. Polish with a silver cloth and store in anti-tarnish pouches, avoiding rubber and newspaper. 

Visit The Perth Mint jewellery boutique to browse the exquisite range of pieces.