CARE ADVICE & WARRANTY

​

Please read the information below carefully before purchasing a piece or having a commission piece made.

 

Taking care of your jewellery will help ensure it remains looking its best for a long time. Here are some basic care instructions for your Ruth Gilmour:

Jewellery is strong but not indestructible. If you hit your jewellery (especially rings) at just the right angle with the right impact, it could chip or crack a gemstone, even a diamond. Therefore, I recommend removing jewellery, particularly rings, when doing anything strenuous. Consider your lifestyle and the style of jewellery you may like to wear—are they compatible? Different styles require different amounts of care. If you’re unsure, I can advise you.

My jewellery is designed for everyday wear, but should always be taken off for certain tasks.

- It is best to remove your jewellery before exercising or swimming in the sea or pool. (Chlorine and salt can react with precious metals, which I cannot fix for you.)

- When not being worn, store your jewellery in the box it came in or in a small zip lock bag to help prevent tarnish.

- Periodically, wash with warm soapy and a soft toothbrush. You can purchase other cleaning products for silver and gold, such as a polishing cloth, but be careful with chemicals if your pieces contain gemstones, especially pearls and soft gems.

- Apply perfumes and creams first, then put on your jewellery.

​

SATIN FINISH PIECES

​

If you have a satin finish piece, you may clean it with a green scourer and a little soap in a circular motion to restore the satin finish.

 

OXIDISED PIECES

 

For treated oxidised pieces, you may find they get a little scratched or wear off over time. Additionally, avoid using a polishing cloth as it will remove the oxidisation. Get in with me, and I will happily re-oxidise it for you.

​

PEARLS

 

As these are natural and soft, be careful not to use any products near them or get them wet. For storage, pearls like air and moisture, so don't store them in a zip bag as they may dry out. Pearls love to be worn; your skin's warmth and oils keep them looking their best, but be cautious with perfumes and creams. Pearls set in a ring require special consideration due to their softness, as they may scratch or get damaged very easily.

​

All my work is made from solid silver or gold, and as it’s handmade, it is in its natural state. Therefore, it is for silver to tarnish over time if not worn. You may notice it does not look as bright as jewellery from high street jewellers. This is because shop jewellery is usually rhodium plated to make it look whiter and brighter, helping to slow the effects of tarnish while on display. This rhodium plating will wear off, and you will need to have it replated often. The same applies to white gold. If you have a piece made by me from white gold, it will be in its natural color, which means it will always be the same color. If you find your silver tarnishes quickly while you wear it, it may be due to your skin's pH or. This is rare, but it is not a fault with the jewellery.

 

Try following the care instructions above, or get in touch if you need any further assistance. In closing, be mindful that your jewellery is made to last many years, but care is required. Precious metals are soft and can distort or break if you’re not careful, particularly rings. Therefore, I would not advise wearing them when doing manual work or at the gym. If you have any questions about the care of your pieces, please get in touch, as I really want you to enjoy your jewellery and wear it for many years.

​

WARRANTY

​

Every piece is designed to be worn and enjoyed everyday, but with all fine jewellery, it needs to be treated with care. I provide a one year warranty on all pieces of jewellery from date of purchase, provided it has not been worked on by another jeweller or the damage does not go beyond the normal patterns of wear. Beyond the warranty period, I can quote for any necessary repairs on a case by case basis.

Please note the warranty does not apply to gemstones made from the customers own jewellery that has been remodelled.

One year warranty covers any potential defects in craftmanship, but it will not cover broken or lost gemstones.

​

INSURANCE

​

I would highly recommend for expensive pieces purchasing insurance for your jewellery. While the piece is made with durability and function in mind, accidents can happen and gemstones especially are susceptible to damage as well as high ring settings which can be caught or knocked accidentally. Insurance will cover physical, loss, theft, or damage. Jewellery insurance allows you to put safeguards in place so you can either replace or recover its monetary value.