Handmade Jewellery Care
With a little care your handmade silver, gold-plated and gemstone pieces will last a lifetime. Here's how to clean and store them, and how to send a piece in for repair.
Our golden rules
Handmade silver, gold-plated and gemstone jewellery is made for everyday wear, but everyday pollutants, lotions and wear can dull it. A few habits keep it bright season after season.
- Store it properlyIn the original box, a soft pouch, or wrapped individually in non-abrasive fabric, never loose with other pieces.
- Take it off for waterRemove silver and gold-plated pieces before exercising, showering and swimming.
- Lotions and fragrance firstLet them dry on the skin before you put your jewellery on, and get dressed first to avoid snagging stones.
- Off at bedtimeRemove your jewellery before you sleep and clean it regularly.
Sterling silver
Sterling silver is an alloy of pure silver and a little copper: strong enough for daily wear and hypoallergenic, so it suits sensitive skin. It will tarnish if neglected, but you can clean it at home without special products.
- WashWarm soapy water; a soft toothbrush lifts dust from around gemstones.
- Rinse and dryClean water, then dry thoroughly.
- PolishA jewellery polishing cloth restores the shine. We like Connoisseurs' wipes.
For step-by-step cleaning advice, including when to avoid soaking or polishing, read our guide to cleaning sterling silver jewellery at home.
Gold-plated pieces
Our gold-plated jewellery is sterling silver coated with a layer of 18ct gold. It looks and feels like the real thing, but plating wears if it's mistreated, so treat it like an heirloom: no lotions, perfumes or water.
- Clean gentlyWarm soapy water and a soft, lint-free cloth only.
- Avoid abrasivesNo toothbrush, polishing cloths, antibacterial soap or jewellery cleaners; they wear the gold away.
- Store on its ownOther metals accelerate wear and tarnish. Keep each piece in its Golden Horn box or its own pouch.
Gemstones
We only use genuine gemstones, hand-picked for colour and shine. Each stone has its own properties, but all of them dull and scratch when exposed to pollutants, heat, strong light, and lotions.
- Soak brieflyA minute or two in warm soapy water loosens grime around the settings.
- Brush softlyA soft toothbrush around the settings, then a lint-free cloth. No harsh chemicals or detergents.
- Rinse, dry, polish lightlyThen back into its box or pouch; loose in a jewellery box is how stones get scratched.
Repairs
If a Golden Horn piece ever needs repair or refurbishment, our artisans can help. Work typically takes 5–6 weeks from the day we receive the piece: evaluation may take up to two weeks, then we'll contact you to agree any details or service fees before starting. The finished piece comes back to you tracked.
- Email usSend hello@goldenhornjewellery.com your full name, contact number, shipping address, a description of the repair, whether the piece has ever been resized or modified, and your receipt if it was bought within the last 12 months (for warranty cover).
- Wait for your service order numberWe'll reply with a number to reference and a packing slip to print and include.
- Pack and postPack securely, note the service order number on the label, and use an insured, tracked service. Keep any pouches or boxes you want to keep; we don't return pieces in their original packaging.
Still need help?
Write to us and a real person replies within 24 hours, Monday to Friday.
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