Jewellery Care Guide

At Joanne Massey Artisan Jewellery, every piece is handcrafted in sterling silver and designed to be treasured. With the right care, your jewellery will remain as beautiful as the day you received it. This guide covers everything you need to know about caring for sterling silver, pearls, and natural gemstones.

How to Clean Sterling Silver Jewellery

Sterling silver (925 silver) is a premium alloy crafted specifically for fine jewellery. Stronger than pure silver, it is ideal for everyday wear — yet like all precious metals, it will naturally tarnish over time without proper care.

When your silver jewellery is not being worn, gently polish it with a good-quality anti-tarnish silver polishing cloth — we recommend Town Talk. Afterwards, store each piece in a re-sealable bag with an anti-tarnish tab to protect it from exposure to air and moisture.

Avoid using any cleaners or abrasives not specifically formulated for silver. Household cleaning products can react with silver and accelerate oxidisation, and may cause irreversible damage to pieces set with gemstones such as amber or pearls.

How to Prevent Silver Tarnish

To keep your jewellery looking its best, avoid wearing it during activities that involve heat, sweat, or water — including sunbathing, exercise, swimming, showering, or using hot tubs. Exposure to chlorine and other chemicals found in pools and spas can cause rapid oxidisation.

Contact with cosmetics, hairspray, perfume, body lotion, and sunscreen should also be avoided, as these products contain chemicals that can react with sterling silver. A simple rule to follow: put your jewellery on last, and take it off first.

How to Care for Pearl & Gemstone Jewellery

Pieces from our Pearl Jewellery collection require extra care. Always wipe pearl pieces with a soft, slightly damp cloth after wearing — never submerge them in water or use ultrasonic cleaners, as these can damage the nacre and loosen settings. Avoid exposing pearls to perfume, hairspray, or acidic substances, and store them separately from other jewellery to prevent scratching.

For amber and other natural gemstones, avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, which can cause fading or brittleness over time. Clean gently with a soft dry cloth only.

Our Leaf Collection pieces are crafted in sterling silver and can be cared for using the guidance above.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if my silver jewellery has already tarnished?

A gentle polish with a quality silver cloth (such as Town Talk) will restore shine in most cases. For heavier tarnish, a paste of bicarbonate of soda and water applied with a soft cloth can be effective — rinse thoroughly and dry immediately afterwards. Avoid this method on pieces set with pearls or porous gemstones. For heavily tarnished or delicate pieces, we recommend seeking a professional jewellery clean.

Can I wear my Joanne Massey jewellery every day?

Yes — sterling silver is durable enough for everyday wear. However, removing your pieces before bathing, swimming, exercising, and applying beauty products will significantly extend their life and keep them looking their best.

How should I store my silver jewellery?

Store each piece individually in a re-sealable bag with an anti-tarnish tab, away from direct sunlight and humidity. Avoid storing multiple pieces together loosely, as this can cause scratching.

Care Responsibility

Please note that it is the responsibility of the customer to care for and clean their jewellery correctly following purchase. Items cannot be returned or exchanged where damage or tarnishing has occurred as a result of insufficient care or cleaning.

Get in Touch

If you have any questions about caring for your Joanne Massey piece, please don’t hesitate to get in touch — we’re always happy to help.