HOW TO LOOK AFTER YOUR JEWELLERY

With trips to the jeweller postponed and our own personal hygiene regimens in overdrive, it’s time to take caring for your jewellery into your own (vigorously cleaned) hands. Here are our top tips for protecting and prolonging your most treasured pieces.

Solid gold pieces can be gently washed with warm water and mild dish soap. If your jewellery needs a deep clean, however, soak it for a little while or use a soft-bristled toothbrush to help you get into crevasses. For silver, stick with a silver polish which will remove stains and protect against future discolouration. When it comes to cleaning, the "don'ts" are important, too — avoid household cleaners or anything with chemicals, and avoid washing pieces with stones, threaded pearls, beaded jewellery or anything antique — you’re better off waiting until you can get to a professional or ask one for specific care instructions.

While you might have noticed excessive washing and sanitising has been drying out your hands, it might be damaging your rings, too. The alcohol in sanitiser and chemical agents in hand wash can contribute to surface damage, tarnishing or cracking. It's particularly unsafe for porous stones like opals or turquoise. With prevention being the easiest solution, it's best to take off your rings before washing, applying lotions and sanitisers, or cleaning the house with heavy-duty cleaning products.

Don't lump all your jewellery together in one box; gemstones can easily knock and scratch each other. Instead, keep them stored individually in soft-lined compartments or in their original boxes. Be extra careful with pearls — they are the most vulnerable to damage. For silver pieces, oxidising can be an issue, so consider anti-tarnish bags or silica gel packs which absorb airborne moisture and sulphur and prevent any unwanted change.