Bear Brooksbank JewEllery Care Instructions

Bear Brooksbank produces jewellery in platinum, 18 carat (ct) gold, 9 ct gold, silver and gold vermeil.

GOLD VERMEIL JEWELLERY

Gold Vermeil or gold plating is a method of depositing a layer of gold onto the surface of silver through an electrochemical process. Unless otherwise stated, vermeil jewellery by Bear Brooksbank is solid sterling silver covered with a layer 3-5 microns thick of 9ct or 18ct gold.

Care should always be taken when cleaning gold plated jewellery to protect the layer of gold from being worn away or scratched. Please note that gold-plated jewellery can also tarnish or fade over time depending on wear and exposure to chemicals and cosmetics. We also recommend that all gold plated jewellery be removed when showering or swimming to keep it looking at its best.

Looking after & storing jewellery

  • Store all jewellery in a clean, dry place away from direct sun exposure and other atmospheric elements. Do not store jewellery next to radiators, windowsills or in rooms with excess condensation, such as bathrooms or wet rooms. Damp and hot conditions can cause precious metals to discolour, tarnish and erode as well as damage gemstones. Silver in particular is susceptible to tarnishing.
  • Keep all jewellery in separate pouches, boxes or bags to prevent pieces rubbing and scratching against one another.
  • Store all beaded necklaces flat to prevent the thread or string stretching and becoming weak.
  • Skin and hair products such as body lotions, perfumes and creams can react adversely with jewellery causing precious metals to tarnish and/or erode. It is advisable to apply any cosmetic products in advance of putting on jewellery.
  • In order to minimise the chance of damage from knocks, scratches or sharp blows, it is advisable to remove all jewellery when partaking in any physical or labour intensive activities. For this same reason, it is also advisable not to wear jewellery when asleep at night.
  • Jewellery should not be worn in the shower or bath, or when bathing in a hot tub, pool or in the sea. Chemicals such as chlorine can damage, discolour or erode precious metals and gemstones.

CLEANING JEWELLERY

  • Check jewellery regularly for signs of dirt, wear and tear.
  • Do not use abrasive cleaners on jewellery.
  • Gently rub gold or silver jewellery with a dry, clean, lint-free soft cloth to maximise the metals’ life and shine. Do not apply significant pressure when polishing gold-filled or gold-plated jewellery as this may cause damage to the surface of the piece. Do not use rough paper towels or rough paper tissues to clean precious metals as they may also scratch the surface of the metal.
  • After each wear, it is recommended to wipe jewellery clean with a soft, dry, lint-free cloth to remove any make-up or natural oils from the skin.
  • Take extra care when cleaning jewellery containing gemstones or pearls as they are fragile and susceptible to damage.
  • Gold and gold-plated jewellery may be cleaned with warm soapy water and a soft, clean, lint-free cloth or old/baby toothbrush. Pieces must be rinsed thoroughly and dried well after cleaning.
  • Silver jewellery may be polished using a specialist silver polish. It is advisable to consult a professional for advice on which product to use, and how best to use it, as commercial silver polishes can damage certain gem stones.
  • After wearing, clean natural pearls with a soft, dry cloth and store in breathable fabric pouches or tissue.
  • Always contact a local jeweller if at all unsure how to clean a piece of jewellery. It is especially advisable to obtain professional cleaning advice when dealing with antique jewellery or jewellery containing gemstones or pearls.

REPAIRS AND RECONDITIONING SERVICE

Over time, due to natural wear and tear, items of jewellery may need to be professionally polished, repaired, re-plated, re-stored, or have stones re-set. Bear Brooksbank is happy to help with any restoration/reconditioning requests. We recommend items of jewellery that are worn daily i.e engagement or stone-set wedding rings to be checked every six to twelve months to insure settings are in full working order.  Please email info@bearbrooksbank for further details.