Jewelry is meant to be worn, loved, and enjoyed every day. With proper care, your Sarah Cornwell Jewelry pieces can remain beautiful for years to come.
Whether you're caring for a favorite pair of hoops, a treasured gemstone necklace, or a strand of pearls, a little attention goes a long way.
General Jewelry Care Tips
A few simple habits will help extend the life of your jewelry:
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Store jewelry in a dry, airtight container when not in use.
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Store pieces separately whenever possible to prevent scratching and tangling.
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Minimize exposure to pools, saunas, and beaches. The minerals and chemicals in these environments can cause oxidation.
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Remove jewelry before swimming, showering, exercising, gardening, or sleeping.
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Avoid contact with lotions, sunscreen, oils, perfumes, hairspray, and household cleaning products. The chemical additives in these products can affect the metal's finish. It’s always best to remove your pieces if there is a possibility of coming into contact with any additives.
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Put jewelry on last when getting ready and remove it first at the end of the day.
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Travel with jewelry in a dedicated jewelry case to prevent damage and tangling.
Understanding Tarnish
All precious metals can develop tarnish over time. This is a natural process and does not indicate a defect in the jewelry.
Exposure to moisture, air, cosmetics, household chemicals, and even individual body chemistry can affect how quickly tarnish develops. Factors such as medications, hormone changes, pregnancy, and certain health conditions may also impact how metals wear on the skin.
The good news? In most cases, tarnish can be easily removed with proper cleaning.
Sterling Silver Care
Sterling silver naturally oxidizes when exposed to air and moisture.
To keep your silver looking its best:
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Store in an airtight container when not being worn.
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Wear it regularly—natural oils from your skin can actually help slow tarnishing.
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Clean periodically using a polishing cloth or silver-safe jewelry cleaner.
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Avoid prolonged exposure to water, humidity, and chemicals.
If silver develops tarnish, don't worry—this is normal and can usually be restored quickly with proper cleaning.
Vermeil Care
Vermeil jewelry features a thick layer of gold over sterling silver.
To extend the life of the gold finish:
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Remove before swimming, showering, exercising, and sleeping.
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Avoid direct contact with lotions, perfumes, sunscreen, and cleaning products.
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Store separately from other jewelry to minimize friction and wear.
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Clean gently with a soft, dry cloth.
Because vermeil is plated, it requires a little more care than solid gold. Following these recommendations will help preserve its finish for years of wear.
Solid Gold Care
Solid gold is our most durable and low-maintenance metal.
To care for solid gold jewelry:
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Clean periodically with warm water, mild soap, and a soft brush.
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Rinse thoroughly and dry completely before storing.
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Store separately to prevent scratching.
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Remove pieces during activities that could cause impact or abrasion.
With proper care, solid gold jewelry can be worn and enjoyed for generations.
Gemstone Jewelry Care
Gemstones are natural materials that vary in their hardness and should be treated thoughtfully.
We recommend:
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Avoiding harsh chemicals, ultrasonic cleaners, and abrasive cleaners.
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Removing gemstone jewelry before swimming, exercising, or household chores.
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Storing gemstone pieces separately to prevent scratching.
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Cleaning gently with a soft cloth.
While many gemstones are durable, some stones are naturally softer or more delicate than others. If you're unsure about caring for a specific gemstone, we're always happy to help.
Pearl Care
Pearls are among nature's most beautiful—and most delicate—gemstones.
To keep your pearls looking their best:
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Put pearls on after applying makeup, perfume, lotion, or hairspray.
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Wipe gently with a soft cloth after wearing.
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Never soak pearls in jewelry cleaner.
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Avoid ultrasonic cleaners and harsh cleaning solutions.
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Store pearls separately to prevent scratching.
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Wear them often! Natural oils from your skin can help maintain their luster.
Caring for Silk-Knotted Gemstone & Pearl Necklaces
Our hand-knotted gemstone and pearl necklaces are carefully crafted in our Doylestown, PA studio using silk cord and individually selected stones.
To help preserve both the silk and the gemstones:
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Remove before showering, swimming, exercising, or sleeping. Exposure to moisture can degrade the silk.
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Avoid exposing silk to lotions, perfumes, sunscreen, and other beauty products.
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Store flat whenever possible. Prolonged hanging can stretch the silk.
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Keep away from moisture and humidity.
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Handle with care when putting on and removing.
Natural silk will soften over time with wear. This is normal and part of the character of a hand-knotted piece. With proper care, your necklace will continue to be a favorite for years to come.
Shop Our Recommended Cleaners
Shop our selection of jewelry cleaners and care products that we personally use and recommend.
Professional Cleaning
We are pleased to offer ultrasonic jewelry cleaning at our Doylestown retail store.
Stop in, browse the shop, and let us help bring your favorite pieces back to life.
Need Help?
Questions about caring for a specific piece?
Contact us at hello@sarahcornwelljewelry.com and we'll be happy to help.
