Looking after your jewellery for everyday wear: our 8 tips and tricks for looking after your gold and silver jewellery

Danger from moisture, chemicals and shocks!

• • Humidity can damage metals and stones, especially silver jewellery: so remove your jewellery before taking a shower, swimming or doing sport. A word of caution: don't put your ring on the edge of the sink when you're washing your hands away from home: there's too much risk of forgetting it...

• • For looking after your jewellery and protect them, we avoid putting them in contact with chemicals These are chemical and sometimes greasy products that contain substances that can tarnish or damage metals and stones, or simply clog them up and reduce their shine.

• • Contrary to popular belief, jewellery is a delicate item: a slight impact can cause the setting of a stone to become brittle. So be watch out for impacts against hard surfaces. What are they? Precious stones vary in terms of hardness, fragility and sensitivity to impact. L'opalwhich is a relatively soft stone, can be easily damaged by impact, heat or chemicals. The turquoisewhich is a porous stone, is sensitive to water: it can crack or change colour in response to humidity or chemicals. The pearlOrganic gemstones are more fragile than mineral gemstones, being sensitive to acids, sweat and impact. L'emeraldBecause of its crystalline structure, it is prone to cracking on impact. The malachiteThis relatively soft stone can be easily scratched.

• • Remove your jewellery at night This will prevent them from getting tangled up or damaged while you sleep. It will also prevent them from being knocked against the bedside table, causing the jewellery to become brittle.

• • Store your jewellery with care and separately to avoid scratches. Mixing yellow gold with white gold can also accelerate the tarnishing of white gold. Consider a jewellery box with suede compartments. You can also look after delicate jewellery by wrapping it in a soft cloth or small pouches to prevent rubbing. If you don't have a jewellery box, the original boxes will be perfect for storing your nuggets, so keep them safe.

Looking after your jewellery also means thinking about its second life : 

• • Keep the boxes and certificates of origin for your jewellery If you ever wish to part with it, having the certificate and the original box will enhance the resale value of your jewellery. 

• • Clean your jewellery regularly. First, soak them for a few hours or overnight in cool or lukewarm water, then use a very soft bristle brush to clean hard-to-reach areas (the inside of a ring, for example, to access the underside of the stone) - why not use a soft bristle toothbrush? If your jewellery is very dirty, add a tiny drop of washing-up liquid or mild soap. Finally, rub them gently using a polishing cloth specially designed for gold or silver, or a chamois cloth. Be careful to rub gently and only on the metal. Silver cloths can also be used to remove oxidation from silver jewellery, but the jewellery must be cleaned thoroughly afterwards. Avoid at all costs abrasive cleaners, rough cloths or anything likely to scratch surfaces.

• • Remember to have your jewellery checked by a professional from time to time. He'll be able to detect a loose scratch or damaged clasp in the jewellery you wear every day before it's too late.

Fine looking after your branded jewelleryIt's easier than you think. Come on, let's get started!