Put your jewellery on last, take it off first, keep it dry and wipe it with a soft, dry cloth. Store each piece in its box or a soft pouch, away from other jewellery. These habits are all that most carved glass jewellery needs.
The full list is on the jewellery care guide. This guide goes through the same advice by piece, with a section on travel.
Daily habits
- Put it on last. Wear perfume, lotion, hairspray and make-up first and let them dry before you put your jewellery on.
- Take it off first. Remove jewellery before you wash, swim, shower, exercise or sleep.
- Keep it dry. Water and chemicals are what dull a finish. If a piece gets wet, pat it dry with a soft cloth straight away.
Cleaning
- Wipe each piece gently with a soft, dry, lint-free cloth after you wear it.
- For the carving, a dry cotton bud reaches into the lines without scratching the glass.
- Do not use jewellery dips, polishing pastes, toothpaste or ultrasonic cleaners. They can strip a finish and loosen settings.
Glass can scratch or chip if it is knocked. Treat each stone as you would a small piece of glassware.
Storing
- Use the box. Each piece is sent in a gift box. Keep it in the box or a soft pouch.
- Keep pieces apart. Stones and finishes can scratch one another.
- Choose a cool, dry place. Out of direct sunlight is best.
- Lay necklaces flat. A chain that is laid flat does not knot.
Rings
Take rings off for gardening, cleaning, lifting and cooking. Knocks are the most common cause of a loosened stone. If a stone ever feels loose, stop wearing the ring and write to us through the contact page.
If you are unsure of your size before ordering a ring, use the ring size guide.
Earrings
Put earrings on after your hair and make-up are done, so that hairspray does not settle on the stone. Keep each pair together in its box, and wipe the carving with a dry cotton bud if dust gathers in it. A long drop is more likely to catch on a scarf or a collar, so check it when you dress.
Necklaces and sets
Fasten the clasp before you put a necklace in its box, and lay it flat. In a set, keep the pendant and the earrings together so that nothing goes missing. A chain that is stored flat is much easier to put on.
Heat, sweat and sunscreen
Heat, sweat and sunscreen are all hard on a finish. On a hot day, put your jewellery on after your sunscreen has dried, and wipe each piece with a dry cloth when you take it off. If you have been sweating, let the piece dry before you put it back in its box. In a very humid climate, a small pouch kept in a dry drawer is a good habit.
Wearing for an occasion
If you are wearing a piece to a wedding or an evening event, put it on at the very end, after you have dressed and fixed your hair. Check the clasp or the back of an earring before you leave. Take the piece off as soon as you get home and wipe it before it goes back in its box.
Keep the box
Every piece is sent in a gift box. The box is the best place to store it, because it keeps the piece apart from other jewellery. If you give a piece as a gift, tell the person to keep the box.
Travelling with jewellery
- Carry it with you. Keep jewellery in your hand luggage and not in a checked bag.
- Pack each piece separately. Use the original box or a soft pouch for each one.
- Fasten clasps. A closed chain tangles less.
- Leave it off on the beach and at the pool. Water, sunscreen and sand are all hard on a finish.
- Wear the piece last when you arrive. Put it on after you have unpacked and dressed.
Pieces to look at
If you are choosing something to look after, these four show the range: blue glass intaglio necklace in a Victorian style, blue rectangular intaglio earrings in a Victorian bridal style, green intaglio cocktail ring in a Victorian signet style and a blue intaglio necklace and earrings set in a Victorian bridal style. The whole range is in the jewellery collection.
To understand how each piece is made before you look after it, read Made by Hand: How a Carved Glass Intaglio Piece Is Made. For the technique behind the carving, What Is an Intaglio? is the best place to start.
Frequently asked questions
How do I clean carved glass jewellery?
Wipe it with a soft, dry, lint-free cloth after wearing it. For the carving, use a dry cotton bud. Do not use dips, polishing pastes, toothpaste or ultrasonic cleaners.
Can I wear it in the shower or the pool?
No. Take jewellery off before you wash, swim, shower or exercise. Water and chemicals are the main things that dull a finish.
How should I store it?
Keep each piece in its box or a soft pouch, apart from other jewellery, in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight. Lay necklaces flat.
What should I do if a stone feels loose?
Stop wearing the piece and write to us through the contact page. Knocks are the most common cause of a loosened stone.
How should I pack jewellery for a trip?
Carry it in your hand luggage, in its box or a soft pouch, with each piece packed separately and clasps fastened.