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So, you’ve found a piece that speaks to you, something that tells a bit of your story. Brilliant. But now what? A piece of handmade jewellery is a bit like a new friendship; it needs a little understanding and care to truly flourish. We get asked all sorts of questions about the materials we use and how to look after them, which we absolutely love. It shows you care. So, we thought we’d create a little corner of the internet to demystify it all. Forget boring science lessons. Think of this as us passing on the workshop secrets, the stuff we’ve learned over years of working with these incredible materials. Let’s get you properly acquainted with your new treasures.
Ah, sterling silver. It’s the bread and butter of our workshop, a truly wonderful metal with a soul of its own. You’ll always see it marked as ‘925’. Ever wondered what that means? It’s basically a recipe. It means the metal is 92.5% pure silver, with the remaining 7.5% being other metals, usually copper. Why not 100% pure silver? Well, pure silver is surprisingly soft. You could practically bend it with your bare hands, which isn't ideal for a piece you want to wear every day. Adding a bit of copper is like adding the backbone; it gives it the strength and durability it needs to withstand the bumps and knocks of daily life. Now, let’s talk about the elephant in the room: tarnish. Some people think tarnish is a flaw, but it’s anything but. It’s simply a chemical reaction. The copper in the alloy reacts with sulphur in the air (from things like pollution, perfume, and even some foods), creating a darker layer on the surface. It’s a sign that your silver is real and it's living in the world with you. The best way to deal with it? Wear your silver! The natural oils from your skin help to keep it clean. For pieces you don't wear as often, a quick polish with a soft cloth will bring that shine right back. It’s a living finish, and its ability to shift from bright and shiny to darkly antiqued is part of its unique charm.
Gold is a whole different character. It has a warmth and a weight that’s undeniable. But not all gold is created equal, and it’s good to know what you’re buying. You’ll often see terms like 'gold plated', 'gold vermeil', and 'solid gold'. Let’s break them down. ‘Gold plating’ is a bit like giving a piece of jewellery a very thin coat of paint. A super thin layer of gold is electrically bonded onto a base metal, which is often brass or copper. It can look lovely, but because the layer is so thin, it can wear off over time, especially on high-contact items like rings. ‘Gold Vermeil’ (pronounced 'ver-may') is the next step up, and it’s a technique we’re very fond of. It’s a much thicker layer of gold, but crucially, the metal underneath must be sterling silver. There are strict industry standards for this. It gives you the look and feel of solid gold but at a more accessible price point. It’s the perfect middle ground, offering durability and quality. ‘Solid Gold’ is the king, of course. This is where the metal itself is a gold alloy, all the way through. You’ll see it described in carats (ct). This isn’t about weight, but purity. Think of it like a 24-slice cake. 24ct is pure gold (again, too soft for most jewellery). 18ct gold means 18 parts are pure gold and 6 parts are other alloys to give it strength and colour. 9ct gold means 9 parts are pure gold and 15 parts are other alloys. It’s all about the recipe, and each has its own unique colour and hardness.
Your jewellery is tough, but it’s not invincible. A little bit of common sense and care will keep it looking its best for generations. We have a few simple rules in the workshop that we pass on to everyone. First, the golden rule: ‘Last on, first off’. Your jewellery should be the last thing you put on after lotions, potions, hairspray, and perfumes have been applied and have settled. It should also be the first thing you take off at night. These chemicals can be harsh on metals and stones. Second, give it a day off. We wouldn't recommend wearing your favourite pieces to the gym, for a swim (chlorine is silver’s arch-nemesis), or while doing the washing up. Treat it to a little holiday in a safe spot. When it comes to cleaning, keep it simple. For most pieces, a bowl of warm water with a single drop of mild washing-up liquid is all you need. Let it soak for a few minutes and then use a very soft baby toothbrush to gently clean around any stone settings or intricate details. Rinse it thoroughly with clean water and pat it completely dry with a soft, lint-free cloth. That’s it. Please, never use toothpaste or harsh chemical dips; they can be abrasive and do more harm than good. And where should your jewellery sleep? Not in a tangled heap on your bedside table! This is how scratches and broken chains happen. The ideal home is a soft pouch or a lined jewellery box with separate compartments. This protects your pieces from being bashed about and, for silver, it slows down the tarnishing process by limiting its exposure to the air.
Ever noticed those tiny, almost invisible stamps on your jewellery? That’s the hallmark. It’s not just a random mark; it’s a legal guarantee of quality, an ancient system of consumer protection that’s one of the best in the world. It’s like a secret code, and it’s actually quite fun to decipher. A full, traditional UK hallmark has several parts. First, you’ll see the ‘Sponsor’s Mark’. This is the unique mark of the company or person who made the piece. It’s our signature, our promise to you that we stand by our work. Next is the ‘Fineness Mark’. This tells you the purity of the metal. For sterling silver, it’s ‘925’. For 18ct gold, it’s ‘750’ (meaning 750 parts per thousand are pure gold). Then there’s the ‘Assay Office Mark’. This tells you which of the UK’s four Assay Offices tested and marked the piece. A leopard’s head for London, an anchor for Birmingham, a rose for Sheffield, or a castle for Edinburgh. It’s a little piece of history right there on your jewellery. Sometimes there’s also a ‘Date Letter’, a letter of the alphabet in a specific font and shield shape that tells you the exact year the piece was hallmarked. It’s a tiny certificate of authenticity, stamped right into the metal, proving its pedigree. It’s a tradition we are incredibly proud to be a part of.
