Looking after jewelry you wear every day

Most repairs are not caused by time. They are caused by perfume, chlorine and the gym.

Four habits

1. Last on, first off. Jewelry after perfume and moisturiser, off before bed if it has stones.
2. No chlorine. It pits gold-fill and dulls silver faster than anything else.
3. Wipe weekly. A dry cloth removes the oils that make metal look tired.
4. Store apart. Chains tangle and scratch; a lined box or a pouch per piece.

Cleaning, by material

Silver: soft cloth, silver polish monthly if needed. Gold-fill: warm water and a drop of washing-up liquid, dry immediately. Pearls: damp cloth only, never soak, never ultrasonic.

When to send it back

Loose stone, worn claw, broken clasp. All three are cheap to fix early and expensive to fix late. Repairs are free for two years.