Cart 0

Jewellery Care

Tracy Hills silver jewellery is crafted to last a lifetime, however with normal every day wear, proper care is required to protect it and keep it looking good.

We've created this basic jewellery care guide to help you care for your jewellery. We also offer a re-plating and oxidisation service.


We hope you'll find these tips helpful. If you have any further questions, please contact sales@tracyhills.co.uk.

Wearing Jewellery

When performing manual tasks, remove your jewellery to prevent physical damage or exposure to chemicals or cleaning fluids.
Cosmetics, hairspray, perfumes and lotions can contain chemicals that can often damage or tarnish jewellery. Put jewellery on after applying all cosmetics
Remove all jewellery before showering or cleaning. Soap can cause a film to form, making the metal and gemstones to appear dull and dingy.
Don't wear jewellery in swimming pools and spas – chlorinated water can react with the metals found in jewellery causing colour changes and sometimes even structural damage – particularly in gemstones. As a result it's a good idea to remove jewellery before entering the pool or spa.
It is not a good idea to wear jewellery during contact sports. Hard blows during sports can damage or misshape even the sturdiest of jewellery pieces.
It is best not to sleep in your jewellery, as chains can easily break or become entangled by hair, and bangles can become misshapen.


Cleaning Jewellery

For sterling silver and gold jewellery, use Goddard’s polish cloths for best results. It is quick and easy to use regularly and will help prevent tarnish. Do not use on jewellery which has been oxidised as this will remove the patination. Do not use on gemstones.
Goddard’s silver dip is very good for cleaning and restoring your jewellery to a shine; however it is very important that you follow the instructions properly. Do not dip any item which has gemstones on it, nor items which are plated or oxidised pieces.

Storing Jewellery

Anyone who has a collection of jewellery can appreciate how difficult it can often be to keep it organized. To improve the enjoyment of your jewellery, we've assembled these suggestions that should keep your jewellery safely stored.

Store your jewellery in a container and prevent pieces from moving around. While fabric-lined jewellery boxes are ideal, you could simply use a shoebox with some soft fabric. Even whilst sitting in a box, metal – especially silver and gold - can tarnish. To maintain the lustre of your jewellery, place silver anti-tarnish strips in your storage container to absorb the oxidants that discolour and tarnish jewellery.
Travelling can be tough on jewellery, so it's wise to use a travel pouch to protect your favourite pieces. Traditionally made of fabric or leather, a travel pouch can carry jewellery of all types and easily rolls up to a size that's easily stored in most suitcases, makeup cases or business attaches.

 

How to Put On A Cuff Bangle

Believe it or not, there is a correct way to put on a cuff bangle. Do not open and close the cuff as this will cause a stress break. 

The easiest technique involves finding the "soft spot" on your own arm. This spot lies on your inner arm just above the wrist bone, where the softer flesh of the lower arm begins. It is generally much narrower at this point and is not as bony as the wrist itself.

The best way to put the cuff on, is to push one side of the cuff into the soft spot and then roll it over your wrist to come around the other side. If it can't be rolled comfortable, then the size is not right for the wearer's wrist. 

To adjust slightly, you should only shape and size once and then by using the above mentioned technique, you should never have to open and close it again.

Sterling silver is a soft metal alloy that although malleable, also becomes brittle when bent repeatedly in the same place. A cuff's shape and settings will determine where the weakest point is, and that will undoubtedly be where it is bent. Try it yourself with a pair of pliers and a coat hanger - the hanger wire is soft steel, but if it is bent back and forth enough times, it will snap like a twig - silver will do the same. It's called "work-hardening" and is something to be avoided if you want your cuff to last. We've seen cuffs with broken shanks brought in for repair regularly. These repairs - even if they are possible - are notoriously expensive, and usually less than perfect.