KEEPING SILVER BRIGHT AND SHINY

As with most precious metals, in time silver will oxidize. Properly maintained silver actually improves with age. It develops a lush patina when treated well.
1. Simply clean with a mild soap and water solution. Pat dry with a soft cloth. If dirt is more stubborn a silver cleaner is appropriate. But don't rub silver with anything other than a polishing cloth or fine piece of felt. Tissue paper or paper towels will cause scratches.
2. Like other jewellery, avoid wearing silver in chlorinated water as this will discolour it.
3. Store your silver jewellery in a cool, dry, dark place. A tarnish preventative bag is a good idea, or wrapped individually in a soft piece of felt or cloth.
4. As air and light cause silver to tarnish, the less of them the better when stored.

KEEPING YOUR JEWELLERY IN MINT CONDITION

Retaining the finish and value of your gold jewellery is quite easy. It's simply a matter of knowing what and what not to do.

1. To help protect against scratching, it's good practice to separate your gold jewellery in a compartmentalised jewellery box.

2. Because soap tends to cause a film that can make gold appear dull and dingy, it's worthwhile removing your jewellery when you shower or bathe.

3. The gold in most jewellery is an alloy. That is, it is a mixture of different metals. The inclusion of these other metals enable gold to be practical in every day usage. However because of these same inclusions, your jewellery can tarnish.

This tarnishing can be caused by many things: perfume, after shave, fluoride in water or even the acidity in your skin. However this doesn't present you with a problem.

A soft jewellery polishing cloth with tarnish preventive will help you keep the gold pieces lustrous and shining. These solutions and cloth are available through your showcase jeweller.

Warning!

The procedures for cleaning gold should not be used if your gold jewellery contains any precious stones, pearls or opals. To clean these requires careful and expert attention. Your Showcase jeweller has the necessary expertise and specialised equipment.

RETAINING YOUR DIAMOND'S BRILLIANCE

Caring for diamonds is best not left to trial and error. Knowing what and what not to do ensures the lasting brilliance of your diamond jewellery.

1. Because diamonds can easily scratch other jewellery, even other diamonds, the best single piece of advice is to keep your diamond jewellery in a fabric lined jewellery case with dividers.

2. It's not wise to wear a diamond ring when doing rough work. It's hard but it can be chipped.

3. Chlorine bleach can pit and discolour the mounting. Lotions, powders, soaps and even your natural skin oils can put a film on diamonds that cut down their brilliance. But this can be easily rectified. It's simply a matter of cleaning your diamonds fairly regularly.

4. There are commercial jewellery cleaners and ultrasonic ones that clean with a high frequency turbulence. Your Showcase jeweller carries them.

5. It's smart to have your Showcase jeweller check wear and tear on the mounting at least once a year.

6. As fully qualified jewellers and registered valuers, your Showcase jeweller is able to carry out valuations for insurance. When you leave your jewellery with us we can also check its condition and advise you of any repairs that may be necessary to restore its full beauty and value.

FINDING YOUR RING SIZE

Simply measure the circumference (distance around) your finger (with something flexible, such as a strip of paper or piece of string, and a ruler with millimeter measurements). Or, measure the diameter (distance across) in millimeters of a ring you currently wear. Find the nearest measurement on the chart below. That's approximately your ring size. (If in doubt between two sizes, it is always safer to go to the next larger ring size - this ensures your new ring will fit you)