Caring for your jewellery and watches can be simple when you follow a few steps to avoid damage, and protect your pieces for years to come.
It is best to store pieces of jewellery and watches individually, to avoid damage, scratches and getting things tangled. It is best to store your jewellery in its presentation box or a jewellery box. Store watches in their box or watch storage box or roll. When storing necklaces and bracelets; make sure to secure the clasp to prevent tangles.
We advise removing jewellery before showering or bathing, on the beach or in chlorinated water. We also advise removing jewellery before exercise, gardening or any activity that may involve knocks or scratches to your jewellery. This will keep dust and water building up in the jewellery and will keep your diamonds and precious gemstones looking their best.
We recommend that jewellery, especially stone set jewellery, should be checked periodically, to ensure that the prongs and claws are not worn or damaged, which could lead to a stone becoming loose.
Checking the claws of your Jewellery
R.L. Austen provide a complementary claw checking service, to make sure that your jewellery is in tip top condition, as well as jewellery cleaning. We can also polish and rhodium plate your jewellery to keep it looking its best, for a small fee.
METALS
18ct Gold
To prevent damage and scratches to gold, we recommend storing your pieces separately, keep your jewellery away from strong chemicals which may discolour the metal. Gold polishing cloths work to remove tarnish from your pieces, or for a more heavy duty buffing bring your items in for a professional polish.
All our 18ct white gold has been rhodium plated to emphasise the bright white finish of the metal. 9ct and 18ct gold are susceptible to discoloration, the metal turns a straw colour, so need maintaining to keep the bright white luster.
Silver
Silver naturally tarnishes over time, the amount of tarnish depends on the wearing habits and skin of the owner. Cleaning your jewellery regularly using warm soapy water and a soft brush, will prevent the tarnish building up. Silver cleaning products are available, such as silver dip or a silver cloth which are impregnated with chemicals to bring your jewellery back to its best.
Polishing your Jewellery
We can polish your jewellery to keep it looking its best, this type of polishing will return your piece of jewellery to looking like new.
PRECIOUS GEMSTONES
Stones can chip if hit with enough force, with gemstones such as amethyst, emeralds, pearls, opals and tanzanite being some of the softest. Avoid using alcohol and oil based perfumes, and hand cream while wearing your jewellery, instead remove your pieces first before applying these items.
Diamonds, Sapphires and Rubies.
Being among the hardest minerals, care should still be taken when wearing these stones as they can still chip with enough force. Diamonds, rubies and sapphires can be cleaned using a small amount of soap and hot water, with a soft tooth brush to remove any dirt and grease.
Emeralds
Emeralds are typically oil treated to improve the clarity and lustre of the stone, for this reason it is best to clean with lukewarm water and soap only, and not to use a ultrasonic or steam cleaner.
Porous Gemstones
Porous gemstones; such as amber, turquoise and opals can be stained by oils or other liquids, so it is best to avoid contact with face creams, lotions and chemicals. These gemstones should not be cleaned with water, but instead by using a soft lint free cloth to remove dirt around the jewellery setting.
Pearls
Pearls are organic material that are vulnerable to acid, alkaline and humidity. To preserve the precious nacre avoid letting them come into contact with cosmetics, hairspray and perfume; and avoid sudden temperature changes. Never use an ultrasonic cleaner to clean pearls and are best cleaned with a soft lint free cloth.
WATCH CARE
Servicing your watches.
Servicing your watches regularly keeps them in tip top condition.
Watches, if taken care of properly, can pass from one generation to the next. Watches are built to last and if you follow a few helpful tips, it is easy to keep them in top shape.
Clean your watch as often as possible, wipe all the surfaces of the watch with a soft lint free cloth to remove surface dirt and grime. You can keep your waterproof watches clean by wearing them in the shower, or swimming, just remember to rinse them off afterwards. Ensure that the screw down crown is secured properly to avoid water entering the watch, also check for damage on the glass or case.
Having your watch regularly serviced ensures that the waterproof seals and the mechanical components are in fully working order.
Keep your watch away from any magnetic sources, as this can affect the timekeeping of your watch. This is because of the vulnerability of the balance spring, which regulates the tick of the watch, when the balance spring becomes magnetised, it will stick to its self, and make your watch run, fast slow or stop completely. Do not worry if this happens, it is not permanent, as most service centers have a de-magnetising machine.
Save the presentation box that your watch came with, as this is usually the best place to keep your watch when you are not wearing it. Placing the watch on its side or on the bracelet can cause it to get scratched. Watch rolls or watch boxes are another way to store your watches, just remember to keep hold of the box and any paperwork for the future.
Montblanc Writing Instrument Care
Montblanc recommends cleaning your fountain pen approximately every three months to preserve its pristine condition. Especially if the ink has dried up due to lack of use, the feeder system is blocked, a different colour of ink is to be used or the ink flow becomes irregular or stops.
For cleaning, use only lukewarm water without any chemical products. It is impossible to prevent condensation after the cleaning process inside the cap.
Condensation can dissolve traces of dried ink, causing a colour change in the new ink. Therefore, always be careful to clean the nib and cap with a damp lint-free cloth. To avoid leakage, keep the writing instrument fully filled with new ink and carry the fountain pen with the nib pointing upwards.
It is particularly important to clean the fountain pen regularly if permanent ink is used, as the high solids content of the ink can lead to deposits forming in the feed system. It should be cleaned approximately every two weeks.
