Jewellery Care Instructions

How to Care for Your Lovely Oxford Jewellery

Your handcrafted jewellery from Lovely Oxford is made with love and care in our South Oxfordshire studio. To keep your piece looking beautiful for years to come, please follow these care instructions.

General Care for All Jewellery

Daily Care

• Remove before water exposure - Take off your jewellery before swimming, showering, bathing, or washing hands
• Avoid chemicals - Remove before applying perfume, hairspray, lotions, or cleaning products
• Remove during activities - Take off before exercising, sleeping, or doing manual work
• Put on last, take off first - Jewellery should be the last thing you put on and the first thing you take off

Cleaning

• Use a soft cloth - Gently wipe with a soft, lint-free cloth after each wear
• Avoid harsh chemicals - Never use bleach, ammonia, or abrasive cleaners
• For sterling silver - Use a silver polishing cloth to restore shine
• For gold-filled pieces - Clean with warm water and mild soap, then dry thoroughly

Storage

• Store separately - Keep pieces in individual pouches or compartments to prevent scratching
• Keep dry - Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight
• Use anti-tarnish strips - For silver pieces, consider using anti-tarnish strips in your jewellery box
• Hang necklaces - To prevent tangling, hang necklaces or store them flat

Memorial Jewellery - Special Care

Memorial jewellery contains precious materials like ashes, hair, fur, or dried flowers preserved in resin. These pieces require extra care:

Critical Care Instructions

• Keep completely dry - Water can damage the resin seal and compromise your precious materials. Never submerge or expose to moisture
• Avoid extreme temperatures - Don't leave in hot cars, direct sunlight for extended periods, or freezing conditions
• Handle with care - Resin can crack or chip if dropped on hard surfaces
• No harsh chemicals - Chemicals can cloud or damage the resin
• Avoid prolonged sun exposure - UV light can cause resin to yellow over time
• Store in protective pouch - Always use the protective pouch provided when not wearing

Cleaning Memorial Jewellery

• Dry cloth only - Use only a soft, dry cloth to clean
• No water or liquids - Never use water, cleaning solutions, or polishes on resin pieces
• Gentle touch - Wipe gently to avoid scratching the resin surface

Specific Material Care

Sterling Silver

• Tarnishing is natural - it's a reaction with air and moisture
• Polish regularly with a silver cloth to maintain shine
• Store in anti-tarnish bags when not wearing
• Wearing your silver jewellery regularly actually helps prevent tarnish

Gold-Filled

• More durable than gold-plated - the gold layer is much thicker
• Can be worn daily with proper care
• Clean with warm water and mild soap, dry thoroughly
• Will not tarnish like silver

Solid Gold

• Very durable and doesn't tarnish
• Can be worn daily
• Clean with warm soapy water and a soft brush
• Professional cleaning recommended annually

Resin (Memorial Pieces)

• Keep away from all liquids
• Avoid extreme temperatures and direct sunlight
• Clean only with a dry, soft cloth
• Handle carefully to prevent chips or cracks

What to Avoid

Never expose your jewellery to:

• Swimming pools (chlorine damages all metals and resin)
• Hot tubs or saunas
• Beaches (salt water and sand are abrasive)
• Gym or exercise (sweat can tarnish metals)
• Household cleaning products
• Beauty products (apply before putting on jewellery)
• Sleeping (can cause damage or breakage)

When to Seek Repair

Contact us if you notice:

• Loose stones or settings
• Broken clasps or chains
• Cracks or chips in resin
• Severe tarnishing that won't polish away
• Any damage to your memorial piece

Warranty & Repairs

All Lovely Oxford jewellery comes with our quality guarantee. If you experience any issues with your piece, please contact us within 14 days of receipt. We're here to help ensure your jewellery stays beautiful.

Questions?

If you have any questions about caring for your specific piece, please don't hesitate to get in touch. We're always happy to provide personalized care advice for your treasured jewellery.

With proper care, your Lovely Oxford jewellery will remain a beautiful keepsake for years to come.