We personally pick each and every piece at NURA to make sure we only sell products that can be loved and enjoyed for years to come. As with everything, this takes a bit of care and basic maintenance, so here is a couple of tips on how to take good care of your little treasures, so that they stay beautiful for a very long time!
WEARING YOUR JEWELLERY
Jewellery should be the last thing you put on and the first thing you take off. This is the golden rule when it comes to wearing jewellery to avoid damage. Put your jewellery on after applying makeup, perfume or hairspray. These are strong chemicals so you want to avoid their contact with your jewellery.
Remove your pieces, mainly rings, if you are doing manual labour such as housework, cleaning dishes, to prevent it from getting damaged. Stones can chip or form a crack when knocked against a hard surface. Harsh chemicals used in cleaning products can cause damage to most of the metals and especially pearls. You should never wash dishes or use any chemicals while wearing a pearl ring.
While some jewellery can withstand water, it’s best to remove it before taking a bath, showering or swimming. Chlorinated water can react with pearls and some of the metals resulting in colour changes. You should also remove most jewellery when doing sports to keep them away from excess perspiration and to avoid hurting yourself or somebody else.
CLEANING YOUR JEWELLERY
Properly cleaning your jewellery will help maintain you jewellery looking great. In general, it’s best to use polishing agents made especially for the particular metal. Always use the softest cloth possible for polishing and the mildest detergent such as soap. Avoid paper towels as they can actually scratch the surface of the metals and bleach.
Each of our products contains a care advice note to advise you how to best take care of your particular piece. You can also find the recommended care in the product description under care advice. Here are is the complete list according to the main metal used:
GOLD / ROSE GOLD JEWELLERY
While pure gold does not tarnish, almost all gold jewellery is an alloy, so there is a tiny chance of tarnish. To clean gold jewellery use cleaning products made for gold only. Alternatively, you can clean it with mild soap. Just mix mild dish detergent or soap and lukewarm water in a bowl. Don't use hot or freezing cold water, especially if your jewellery contains fragile precious stones. Soak the jewellery in the solution for 15-30 minutes, and clean with a soft toothbrush to avoid scratching the jewellery. Finally, rinse under running water (plug the drain so that you don't accidentally lose your jewellery if you are rinsing it in the drain) and polish it until dry and shiny with a soft cloth.
GOLD / RUTHENIUM PLATED JEWELLERY
To maximise the durability plated jewellery avoid contact with water, perfume and other chemical products. With proper care the gold finish can last a couple of years, however, wearing plated jewellery on a daily basis will cause the vermeil to wear off more rapidly. Clean it very gently with a soft brush and soap water. Mix mild dish detergent or soap and lukewarm water in a bowl. Don't use hot/boiling water or freezing cold water. Soak the jewellery in the solution for 15-30 minutes, and clean with a soft toothbrush to avoid scratching the jewellery. Rinse under running water and polish it until dry and shiny with a soft cloth.
GOLD-FILLED JEWELLERY
A gold-filled products are much more durable than conventional gold plated pieces and they will oxidise much more slowly. To clean it, mix mild dish detergent or soap and lukewarm water in a bowl. Don't use hot or boiling water, especially if your jewellery contains fragile precious stones as these can crack if subjected sudden temperature changes. Similarly, don't use freezing cold water because the grime will contract and get tougher. Soak the jewellery in the solution for 15-30 minutes, and clean with a soft toothbrush to avoid scratching the jewellery. Finally, rinse under running water and polish it until dry and shiny with a soft cloth.
SILVER JEWELLERY
Silver naturally oxidises over time creating a grey/yellow hue on the surface. This, however, can be easily removed using cleaning products for silver you can get in most DIY shops. Alternatively, you can use white vinegar. Place your jewellery in a clean glass container, cover it with white vinegar, so that it is completely immersed. Let it soaked for two or three hours, depending on how much tarnish you need to remove. Then, rinse it to remove the vinegar and dry the jewellery completely. using a soft cloth. To delay tarnishing, keep your jewellery away from moisture, shower steam, and other water activities. Store the jewellery in a dry or air-tight place.
BRASS JEWELLERY
Brass tends to darken and develop a patina with time. This is a natural process, however, it can be removed using polishing/cleaning products for brass. Alternatively, you can use vinegar to remove the patina. Place your jewellery in a clean glass container, cover it with white vinegar, so that it is completely immersed. Let it soaked for 30 seconds at most, then, rinse it to remove the vinegar and polish with a soft cloth to bring back the shine. If your jewellery is still too dark, repeat the process, try leaving the jewellery in vinegar for longer, but avoid soaking it for more than 5 minutes. To delay oxidation, avoid direct contact with chemicals, lotions, perfumes and water. Store the piece in a dry / air-tight place.
WATCH BRASS CLEANING VIDEO HERE
COPPER JEWELLERY
Similarly to brass, copper jewellery tends to darken and develop a patina with time. This is a natural process, however, it can be removed using polishing/cleaning products for copper. Alternatively, you can use vinegar to remove the patina. Place your jewellery in a clean glass container, cover it with white vinegar, so that it is completely immersed. Let it soaked for 30 seconds at most, then, rinse it to remove the vinegar and polish with a soft cloth to bring back the shine. If your jewellery is still too dark, repeat the process, try leaving the jewellery in vinegar for longer, but avoid soaking it for more than 5 minutes. To delay oxidation, avoid direct contact with chemicals, lotions, perfumes and water. Store the piece in a dry/air-tight place.
STAINLESS STEEL JEWELLERY
Stainless steel jewellery does not corrode or rust. Although it is very durable, this type of steel can get scratched and stained. We recommend using a stainless steel cleaner that can be bought at most DIY stores and follow the instructions on the package. You can also clean it with mild dish cleaner and lukewarm water.
PEARL JEWELLERY
Jewellery pieces that include pearls are not suitable for everyday wear as pearls are generally very delicate. This natural gem is more susceptible to pressure or abrasion, which is difficult to prevent when worn continuously. Chemicals like perfume, hairspray, vinegar, and lemon juice or bleach can easily damage pearls and should not come in contact with them. Heat can turn pearls brown, dry air can damage pearls. Make sure to put pearls on after finished spraying perfume or hairspray and putting on makeup. After wearing pearls wipe them off with a soft cloth, which may be dry or damp. This will prevent dirt from accumulating and will keep perspiration, which is slightly acidic, from eating away at the pearl nacre. When cleaning metal jewellery including pearls, make sure the cleaning product does not come in contact with pearls!
STORING YOUR JEWELLERY
When not wearing your jewellery store it safely in a jewellery box, or in the original box to avoid it being scratched or damaged. To minimise tarnish of brass, silver or plated silver pieces, store these in an airtight container if possible or use anti-tarnish strips. Do not store your jewellery inside leather as this can accelerate oxidation.Pearls should be kept in a soft cloth pouch or a soft-lined jewellery box. Never store your pearls in an airtight environment such a zip lock bag. Pearls are organic and do contain trace amounts of water. Storing them in an airtight environment will cause them to become brittle and damage the lustre.
REPAIRS
If your jewellery gets damaged, or needs adjustments such as ring resizing, you can use the services of a trusted local jeweller. Please note, any such alteration to your jewellery bought at NURA will disqualify it from the warranty. Alternatively, we can arrange for repairs by the manufacturer in some cases. Please contact us at customers@nura.design to discuss the available options.
