Measuring Your Ring Size

It is important to obtain an accurate ring size. We suggest that you visit a local jeweller to have your ring size checked before placing your order. This is the only way to accurately measure your finger size.

Most of our rings are able to be resized however some, particularly the stainless steel, tungsten & titanium rings, and rings with patterns that run all the way around the ring (e.g. wave patterns, woven, engraved and ribbed edge rings) are sometimes difficult (if not impossible) to resize due to the patterns on the ring or the hardness of the metal.

For this reason, we recommend that you have your ring size checked by a local jeweller rather than using a piece of paper or string to measure the ring size. If a piece of paper is used, it does not accurately show how the ring will move over the knuckle and does not take into account different ring widths. If you cannot get to a local jeweller contact us and we will try to work out a solution.

General Care

Whether your jewellery collection is made up of mostly inexpensive silver pieces or heirloom quality gold treasures, or anything in between, it is important to you – you bought it because you loved it or it was a gift from someone special and it all deserves to be properly cared for.

Never toss your jewellery into a pile in a box where it will become tangled and probably scratched. Although diamonds are the hardest substance known to man, a diamond can scratch another diamond and will definitely scratch other gems. It is worthwhile investing in a good-sized, compartmented jewellery box to keep your pieces separate and protected.

Never wear your jewellery when doing heavy work such as gardening or housework. At the very least your jewellery will become dirty and probably scratched and marked. When rings become distorted and out of shape the setting around the gemstone warps and the stones can fall out.

It is a good idea to have your jewellery professionally cleaned and checked by a jeweller every 12 months. In between times you can clean your jewellery at home. Using warm sudsy water with a mild liquid detergent and a soft toothbrush while the piece is in the water, gently brush around and behind the gems to remove any build-up of scum. Rinse the item under warm running water and pat dry with a soft, lint-free cloth. A jewellery polishing cloth can then be used to buff it if necessary. Alternatively use a brand name liquid jewellery cleaner, making sure to follow the instructions given. Never leave silver pieces to 'soak' in silver dip and never use toothpaste to clean your jewellery as it can be abrasive.

Caring for Silver

Modern, good quality silver jewellery is much easier to maintain than in the past. Some people find that regular wearing actually helps keep tarnish to a minimum although exposure to make-up, hair spray, perfume and perspiration does take the shine off just as it does with gold jewellery. All you need to combat this is a good silver cloth to be used before and after each wearing. When you are not going to wear your silver jewellery for a while, store it in a good quality zip-lock plastic bag (expel the air) inside a cloth bag or jewellery box and when you come to use it again it will just need a quick wipe-over with your cloth. Remember silver is a soft metal so care should be taken with cleaning and storage.

Pearls

The pearls most of us wear today are cultured pearls, their existence initiated by humans who insert a bead or other object into an oyster or clam. The clam coats the foreigner with nacre, the patina that gives pearls their unique appearance. The depth of the nacre coating depends on the type of creature involved, the water it lives in, and how long the intruder is left in place before it is removed. As nacre thickness increases, so does the quality and durability of the pearl.

Pearls respond well to being worn. Natural body oils make them "mellow" and brings out an inner luminescence. Pearls do not, however, take well to chemicals such as perfume, hairspray, cosmetics and perspiration. Very dry, very hot conditions will dehydrate a pearl over time, causing it to turn dark and even crack or shatter. Keep pearls away from household cleansers, too, as these chemicals will destroy pearls.

Caring for Your Pearls

Even cultured pearls with thicker coatings are more fragile than most other gemstones, so you must handle them carefully to keep them in the best condition. Always put your pearls on after you've applied your makeup and perfume and remove them as soon as you return home.

Be sure to take off your pearl rings before you apply hand and body creams.

Wipe your pearls with a soft, lint-free cloth as soon as you take them off. The cloth can be dampened with water or it can be dry. If damp, allow the pearls to air dry before putting them away.

Dirty pearls can be cleaned with a mild soap and water solution (try Ivory flakes). Most pearls are strung on silk thread so care must be taken to dry them flat to avoid stretching the silk.

Never clean your pearls with solutions that contain ammonia or harsh detergents.

Don't put pearl jewellery in an ultrasonic cleaner.

Don't use abrasive cleaners or rub pearls with an abrasive cloth. Both can wear away the nacre coating, leaving you with a plain looking bead.

Don’t store your pearls with other jewellery as they can be easily scratched. The best method of storing pearls is in a soft dark bag made from chamois or another non-abrasive material.

It is recommended that you have your pearls professionally restrung every two-three years, particularly if you wear them often.