I+H Essential Care Guide for Your Jewellery
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Time to read 7 min
With the right care, your jewellery can remain beautiful for years to come. A few simple habits can help protect its finish, gemstones and delicate details from everyday wear.
Our Essential Jewellery Care Guide explains how to clean, store and care for your pieces, along with helpful information about the materials used to create them.
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Making Sterling Silver Jewellery
Sterling Silver is the metal jewellery is most commonly made out of. With anti-tarnishing properties, it is also a metal that does not generally irritate the wearer's skin.
The number ‘.925’ refers to the concentration of silver in the metal (92.5% pure silver). The purest form of silver is .999 however, due to the malleable nature of pure silver, it is generally only used as plating over other materials.
Taking Care of Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver will naturally oxidise due to a reaction with chemicals in the environment and air, this does not mean your gorgeous jewel is tarnished but with the right care methods your Sterling Silver pieces will be shining bright always.
Though you may take perfect care of your silver jewellery, they will still need a clean every now and then. You can use a silver polishing cloth or non-abrasive cloth to give it a good polish. It's best to move to a new section of the cloth regularly and follow the grain of the silver.
Remove when swimming to prevent tarnish
Protect from harsh chemicals in perfumes and lotions
Remove before sleeping to prevent damage to stones
Our collection includes gold plated, gold filled and gold dipped jewellery. While each offers the timeless beauty of gold, they differ in how they are made, their durability and the care they require.
Understanding the differences between these finishes will help you choose the right jewellery for your lifestyle and keep your favourite pieces looking their best for years to come.
Solid Gold Jewellery
Though unlikely to tarnish or lose its shine, Solid Gold can be cleaned with any type of polishing cloth using a light buffing motion.
Our solid gold jewellery are made with 9k gold, meaning other alloys are mixed into them to ensure it is more durable in order to help retain their quality.
Remove when swimming to prevent tarnish
Protect from harsh chemicals in perfumes and lotions
Remove before sleeping to prevent damage to stones
Gold Fill Jewellery
Made by heat and pressure bonded to a layer of karat gold to another metal, in our jewellery, the other metal is either brass or sterling silver.
To look after any jewels that are gold fill, lightly polish them with a cloth to remove any marks or tarnish and ensure they are kept in a safe place.
We currently use both 18k and 14k gold fill materials for our gold fill jewellery.
Gold Plated Jewellery
Created with a layer of gold on the surface over another type of metal, at Indie and Harper our gold-plated jewellery is 9k or 24k gold plated over either brass, zinc alloy or .925 sterling silver.
As your gold-plated jewels are not 100% solid gold, extra care is needed to maximise their lifespan. Clean your plated jewellery with a very soft cloth to remove any dust and dirt after everyday wear as often as possible. To prevent scratching, ensure your jewellery is in a jewellery bag or box away from other jewels to prevent any rubbing.
Remove when swimming, showering, washing hands and exercising
Protect from harsh chemicals in perfumes and lotions
Remove before sleeping to prevent damage to stones
Our collection includes 9k solid rose gold, rose gold plated and rose gold filled jewellery. While each offers the warm, elegant beauty of rose gold, they differ in how they are made, their durability and the care they require.
Understanding the differences between these rose gold jewellery finishes will help you choose the right piece for your lifestyle and keep your jewellery looking beautiful for years to come.
Remove when swimming to prevent tarnish
Protect from harsh chemicals in perfumes and lotions
Remove before sleeping to prevent damage to stones
Rose Gold Fill Jewellery
Made by applying heat and pressure to bond a layer of karat rose gold to another metal, in our jewellery the other metal is always either brass or sterling silver.
To look after any jewels that are rose gold fill lightly polish with a cloth to remove any marks or tarnish. Make sure you keep your rose gold jewellery in a special place, where it will not be damaged or exposed to anything that could cause it to become damp. We currently use both 18k and 14k rose gold fill materials for our gold fill jewellery.
Rose Gold Plated Jewellery
Created with a layer of gold on the surface over another type of metal, at Indie and Harper our rose gold-plated jewellery is either over brass or .925 sterling silver.
As your rose gold-plated jewellery is not 100% solid rose gold, extra care is needed to maximise its lifespan. Clean your plated jewels with a very soft cloth to remove any dust and dirt after everyday wear as often as possible (remember to be gentle!). To prevent scratching, ensure your jewels are in a jewellery bag or box away from other jewels to prevent any rubbing.
Remove when swimming, showering, washing hands and exercising
Protect from harsh chemicals in perfumes and lotions
Remove before sleeping to prevent damage to stones
Copper Jewellery - Electroforming
Our beautiful copper jewellery is created through a process called electroforming.
Electroforming is a step-by-step process whereby gemstones are first coated with conductive paint and then submerged in a copper-rich electrochemical solution for approximately six to twenty-four hours.
During the electroforming process copper molecules are attracted to the conductive paint to then form a copper bezel which transforms the jewellery into their own unique piece.
To finalise the process each piece is then tumbled, blackened and buffed to create the beautiful jewels our Indie and Harper customers are purchasing.
Copper jewellery naturally oxidises over time creating a unique patina, however, using a very fine abrasive pad regularly will ensure your piece stays shiny.
Remove when swimming, showering, washing hands and exercising
Protect from harsh chemicals in perfumes and lotions
Remove before sleeping to prevent damage to stones
How often should I clean my jewellery?
How often you clean your jewellery depends on how often you wear it. Everyday pieces benefit from a gentle clean every few weeks to remove oils, dust and product build-up, while special occasion jewellery can be cleaned before storing or whenever it starts to lose its shine.
What's the safest way to clean jewellery at home?
For most jewellery, warm water, a small amount of mild dish soap and a soft, lint-free cloth are all you need. If necessary, use a soft-bristled brush to gently clean hard-to-reach areas. Avoid abrasive cleaners or harsh chemicals unless the jewellery manufacturer specifically recommends them.
Can I wear my jewellery in the shower or while swimming?
We recommend removing your jewellery before showering, swimming or using a spa. Soap, shampoo, chlorine and salt water can affect certain metals, gemstones and plated finishes over time, reducing their shine and longevity.
Should I put my jewellery on before or after perfume?
Always apply perfume, moisturiser, sunscreen and hairspray before putting on your jewellery. Allow these products to dry completely before wearing your pieces to help minimise residue and protect metal finishes.
How should I store my jewellery?
Store each piece separately in a jewellery box, soft pouch or compartment to help prevent scratches and tangles. Keeping jewellery in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and excess humidity will also help maintain its appearance.
Does sterling silver tarnish?
Yes. Sterling silver naturally reacts with oxygen and moisture in the air, which can cause tarnishing over time. This is a normal process and can usually be removed with regular cleaning and a quality silver polishing cloth.
Will gold plated jewellery fade?
Gold plated jewellery naturally experiences wear over time because the outer layer of gold is thinner than solid gold. How quickly this happens depends on how often it's worn and how well it's cared for. Avoiding water, chemicals and friction can help extend the life of the plating.
What's the difference between solid gold, gold filled and gold plated jewellery?
The main difference is the amount of gold used and how it's applied. Solid gold is gold throughout, gold filled jewellery has a thick bonded layer of gold over a base metal, while gold plated jewellery has a thinner layer of gold applied to the surface. Each offers different benefits in terms of durability, appearance and price.
Can I sleep wearing my jewellery?
It's generally best to remove your jewellery before sleeping. This helps reduce unnecessary wear, prevents chains from tangling and lowers the risk of bending delicate settings or damaging gemstones.
How can I help my jewellery last longer?
A few simple habits make a big difference. Remove jewellery before exercising, swimming or cleaning, avoid direct contact with perfumes and lotions, clean it regularly and store each piece separately when not in use.
Can all gemstones be cleaned the same way?
No. Different gemstones have different hardness levels and care requirements. While many gemstones can be gently cleaned with mild soapy water, others are more sensitive to heat, chemicals or ultrasonic cleaners. Always follow the care recommendations for the specific gemstone.
Why has my jewellery lost its shine?
Everyday exposure to skin oils, cosmetics, dust and environmental factors can gradually dull your jewellery. Regular cleaning and proper storage are usually enough to restore its natural brilliance and keep it looking its best.
