• Care of your Jewellery

All jewellery sold in the Brass monkeys is made from the highest quality of materials. All silver, gold, palladium and platinum pieces are hallmarked to guarantee authenticity in accordance with the Hallmarking Act 1973.

All materials will show signs of wear with use and particularly finishes on metal are liable to change. A matt finish becomes shinier and a polished finish dulls down. This is particularly noticeable with rings as they are rubbed and knocked more often than other pieces of jewellery.

To ensure the finish lasts, care should be taken to avoid contact with chlorine, perfume, hairspray, sun cream or other chemicals. Precious metals are vulnerable to scratches and the jewellery should be removed when doing manual work, and stored carefully with no other pieces of jewellery on top of it. If pieces do become scratched or lose some of their oxidisation, they can be returned to Brass Monkeys for re-finishing.

We recommend that your jewellery is removed at night and absolutely for swimming in both chlorine and saltwater.

Silver Jewellery

Silver jewellery is also prone to oxidisation and this can easily be removed by cleaning either with hot water and washing up liquid and a soft toothbrush or with a commercial product designed for the purpose.

Vermeil

Vermeil is gold plated sterling silver. It has a thicker layer of gold than ‘plated’ jewellery. You can clean your gold vermeil jewellery by gently wiping it with a soft cotton or microfiber cloth. It should not be treated with chemical products, as they may remove the gold. Over time, even though there is a thicker layer of gold than in plated jewellery, the surface may become worn and the piece may need re-plating. This is more likely with rings than other items of jewellery, as they receive more wear and tear.

Snake Chain Storage Recommendation

A lot of our pendants and necklaces are supplied on snake chains. Snake chains have an unusual semi-rigid form, which can make them susceptible to kinking. Careful storage is required to preserve the chain’s original shape. The manufacturer recommends that the chain be stored hanging-up or carefully coiled and to avoid it being squished in a jewellery box or under heavy items.

We will always be happy to give you advice on cleaning and care of your jewellery.