Look after your jewellery. It’s made with love.

Every piece is carved by hand, then cast, polished and hallmarked. With a little care, it'll be with you for years.

Here's how to keep it looking its best.

Silver

Silver tarnishes. It's completely natural: silver reacts with sulphur in the air and slowly darkens, especially when it's left sitting unworn. Wearing it often actually helps keep it bright.

To clean, rub gently with a silver polishing cloth until the shine comes back.

Gold

All my gold is solid, never plated, and hallmarked to prove it.

• 9ct gold is a harder metal with a softer, lighter gold colour. Scratches and dinks can still happen, but they're less likely.

• 18ct gold is a richer, more yellow colour and a softer metal, so it marks more easily. Over time it develops a gentle patina from wear, which many people love.

To clean: gold doesn't tarnish like silver. For metal-only pieces, a soak in warm water with a drop of mild washing-up liquid, a gentle brush with a soft toothbrush, a rinse and a pat dry will bring it back.

For pieces with pearls, opals or moonstones, skip the water and use a soft dry cloth instead.

Pearls & stones

Pearls
Pearls are soft and soak up whatever they touch, so keep lotion, perfume and hairspray away from them. Wipe them with a soft cloth after wearing. Store them flat, somewhere they can breathe.

Opals
Opals are beautiful but sensitive, so keep them away from water, heat, and knocks. If your opal gets wet, dry it straight away. When you wash your hands, take your ring off and tuck it in your pocket. Easy.

Moonstones
Moonstones are a little tougher than opals but can still chip if knocked. Keep them dry and treat them gently.

Rubies
Rubies are second only to diamonds in hardness, so they're made for everyday wear. Store them separately, as they can scratch softer metals and stones. Ruby beads on a thread just need a wipe, never a soak.

Threads

Threaded jewellery, like pearl and bead necklaces, naturally stretches and wears over time. I use nylon thread because it's hardier and holds its shape better than traditional silk. But it's still thread, and everyday wear will eventually show.

To make it last:

• Store threaded pieces flat rather than hanging them up, as hanging stretches the thread.

• If a strand gets wet, let it dry flat before wearing or storing.

• Watch for gaps between beads or a fraying thread. Those are signs it's time for a rethread.

I offer rethreading on all Tagtraum threaded pieces at no additional charge. Just get in touch.

Repairs

Jewellery is made to be worn. Scratches, dinks and drops happen, and that's part of a piece's life with you.

If your piece needs some care, get in touch at info@tagtraum.co with a photo and a short description. I may be able to fix it for a quoted charge, whether that's a polish, a reshape, a loose stone, or a broken clasp.