From my studio · Care & keeping
Caring for your jewellery
Thank you for choosing one of my pieces. A few simple habits can help protect its plating, crystals and delicate details.
Many of our fashion jewellery designs use a brass base with gold or rhodium plating, Swarovski® crystals and hand-set elements. Check the details of your particular piece, and ask me if you are unsure how to care for it.
- Put on last. Take off first.
- A gentle wipe with a dry cloth.
- A separate place for each piece.
Before you wear it
Apply perfume, hairspray, creams and make-up first, and let them dry before putting on your jewellery. Keep pieces away from household cleaners and other chemicals.
Remove jewellery before showering, bathing, swimming, exercising or sleeping. Moisture, perspiration and friction can affect the finish and delicate settings. If a piece gets wet, blot it gently with a soft, dry cloth and let it dry naturally, away from direct heat.
Gold & rhodium plating
Plating is a surface finish and can gradually wear with use. How it wears depends on the design, friction, skin chemistry and the way a piece is worn and stored.
Avoid rubbing plated surfaces against other jewellery or hard objects. Use a soft, untreated cloth gently; silver dips, abrasive polishing cloths and metal polishes can remove or damage the finish.
Cleaning crystals gently
With clean, dry hands, support the piece and lightly wipe the crystals and metal with a soft, dry, lint-free cloth. Avoid pressing on stones, prongs or hand-set details.
Do not soak or submerge plated crystal jewellery. Avoid chemical cleaners, alcohol, abrasive products, ultrasonic cleaners and steam cleaning. If a mark does not lift with a gentle dry wipe, contact me for advice.
A place of its own
Your Sarah Gauci box includes an anti-tarnish coating to help protect your jewellery during storage. Keep the box dry and store pieces separately so they do not rub against each other.
You can also use a soft, untreated pouch. Store jewellery away from direct sunlight, humidity and heat, and avoid the bathroom. Close chain clasps and lay chains out gently to help prevent tangles. Make sure each piece is dry before putting it away.
Delicate details
Support the body of a piece when putting it on or taking it off. Open clasps gently and avoid pulling on chains, crystals or decorative elements. Keep jewellery clear of clothing that may snag.
Do not force a clasp, bend a setting or repeatedly reshape a cuff. If a crystal feels loose or a chain or clasp looks damaged, stop wearing the piece and get in touch before attempting a repair.
Enamel & gemstone pieces
Keep enamel pieces dry and protect their surface from knocks, bending and scratches. Wipe gently with a soft, dry cloth.
For jewellery containing natural gemstones, follow any care instructions supplied with the individual design. Different stones and settings need different care, so ask me before using a specialist cleaning product.
