Jewellery Care
To last the test of time, jewellery must be cared for. The jewellery we stock at Lily King is all demi-fine - bridging the gap between high street fashion and high-end fine jewellery whilst offering top quality but with a more affordable price tag. Demi-fine jewellery is a better option for sensitive skin (it's more hypoallergenic as it avoids cheap metals like nickel) and is made using sterling silver, gold vermeil & semi-precious stones which, when properly cared for, offer a longevity not found with plated metals.
Gold Vermeil
Gold vermeil is similar to gold plate except the base metal is always sterling silver and it requires a thicker layer of gold (at least 18 carat). This makes vermeil a much better choice for somebody who suffers from skin allergies to other base metals. Gold vermeil is a little more expensive (than gold plate over materials such as brass) as both the base and coating are of precious metal.
Sterling Silver
Sterling silver is 92.5% pure silver, alloyed with a small quantity of harder metal (usually copper), to make it less soft and more durable. Sterling silver is ideal for jewellery as it is more scratch resistant and hard-wearing than pure silver.
Semi-Precious Gemstones
Instead of using precious gemstones like diamonds, rubies, or emeralds, demi-fine jewellry often features semi-precious stones such as amethyst, topaz, garnet, or turquoise. These stones add colour and character without the high cost associated with precious gems.
How to care for Demi-Fine Jewellery:- Apply any skin or hair products before you put on your jewellery. The chemicals found in these products can be abrasive and cause silver to tarnish and gold to erode.
- Always remove jewellery when in the shower, bath, swimming pool or sea, as the water and moisture can cause oxidation.
- The chemicals found in sweat and oils in the skin can speed up the tarnish process. Remember to remove your jewellery when exercising and over night if you want them to stay shiny and bright.
- Store your jewellery in a cool dry place and try to keep pieces separate to avoid tangling. A jewellery box with anti-tarnish lining, such as acid free tissue paper, is ideal.
- Important: Always keep jewellery out of reach of small children.
How to clean Demi-Fine Jewellery:
- To clean your jewellery, use warm soapy water and rub with a clean, soft cloth. Rinse with cool water and buff gently with a dry, soft cloth.
- A good quality silver cloth also works well but be careful with gold vermeil items as silver cloths can remove some of the gold coating and shine, leaving the item looking dull.
- Washing up liquid can leave pearls looking dull and losing their shine, so only use lukewarm water to gently polish any pearl pieces.