JEWELLERY CARE
Precious materials are made to be worn.
Fine jewellery changes through use.
Gold may develop fine surface marks. Sterling silver can naturally tarnish. Polished surfaces may soften with time.
These changes are part of living with precious materials.
Thoughtful care helps preserve the appearance, structure and character of your PRECIOUS ATOM jewellery for years to come.
EVERYDAY CARE
Jewellery is strongest when treated with consideration.
We recommend removing your jewellery before activities that may expose it to unnecessary impact, pressure or chemicals.
Where practical, avoid wearing fine jewellery during:
EXERCISE
SPORT
SWIMMING
HOUSEHOLD CLEANING
GARDENING
HEAVY MANUAL ACTIVITY
SLEEPING, WHERE THE DESIGN MAY CATCH OR RECEIVE PRESSURE
Repeated impact can affect metal surfaces, stone settings and delicate components over time.
WATER
Occasional contact with clean water is generally different from prolonged exposure to treated or chemically active water.
We recommend removing jewellery before:
SWIMMING POOLS
HOT TUBS
SPAS
THE SEA
Chlorine, salt and other substances can affect metals, finishes and jewellery components.
After accidental exposure, gently rinse the piece with clean water where appropriate and dry it thoroughly with a soft cloth.
PERFUME, COSMETICS & CHEMICALS
Apply jewellery after:
perfume,
hair products,
lotions,
cosmetics,
and other personal-care products whenever possible.
Remove jewellery before using:
household cleaners,
bleach,
chlorine-based products,
or other strong chemicals.
A useful routine is:
JEWELLERY ON LAST.
JEWELLERY OFF FIRST.
GOLD CARE
PRECIOUS ATOM may work with:
9K GOLD
14K GOLD
18K GOLD
Gold is durable, but it is not immune to wear.
Highly polished surfaces can naturally develop fine marks through everyday contact.
This is normal and does not necessarily indicate a defect.
CLEANING GOLD JEWELLERY
For suitable pieces, gentle home cleaning may be performed using:
-
lukewarm water
-
a small amount of mild soap
-
a very soft brush
-
a soft lint-free cloth
Use light pressure.
Avoid aggressive brushing around delicate settings.
Rinse carefully and dry the piece completely.
If a design contains delicate stones, complex settings or specialised finishes, seek professional guidance before cleaning.
GOLD COLOUR
Yellow, white and rose gold can behave differently depending on their alloy composition and finish.
Some white-gold jewellery may use a surface treatment such as rhodium plating.
Where applicable, this finish can gradually change through wear and may eventually require professional maintenance.
Product-specific information will be provided where relevant.
925 STERLING SILVER
Sterling silver is a precious metal alloy containing 92.5% silver.
Its naturally bright surface can change when exposed to air, humidity, skin chemistry and certain substances.
This can cause tarnishing.
Tarnish is a natural surface reaction and does not mean the silver is damaged or poor quality.
CARING FOR STERLING SILVER
To help maintain its appearance:
-
store silver jewellery in a dry environment
-
keep pieces separated where possible
-
avoid prolonged exposure to humidity
-
minimise contact with perfume and chemicals
-
gently wipe the surface after wear
A jewellery polishing cloth suitable for sterling silver can help restore brightness.
Do not polish aggressively, particularly on intentionally textured, oxidised or specialised finishes.
DIAMOND CARE
Diamonds are exceptionally hard, but jewellery containing diamonds still requires care.
The metal holding the stone can be scratched, bent or damaged through impact.
A diamond can also collect:
skin oils,
lotions,
soap residue,
and other surface deposits.
These can reduce its visible brilliance.
CLEANING DIAMOND JEWELLERY
For suitable pieces, use:
-
lukewarm water
-
mild soap
-
a very soft brush
Gently clean around accessible areas of the setting.
Rinse thoroughly and dry carefully.
Never force a brush into delicate settings.
If a stone appears loose, stop wearing the piece and seek professional inspection.
LAB-GROWN DIAMONDS
Lab-grown diamonds should be cared for with the same consideration as diamond jewellery generally.
Their brilliance can be affected by surface residue even when the stone itself remains unchanged.
Regular gentle cleaning can help maintain their optical appearance.
STONE SETTINGS
Settings are precision structures.
Prongs, bezels and other components are designed to hold stones securely, but repeated impact can affect them.
Check frequently worn jewellery periodically.
Signs that may require professional attention include:
MOVEMENT OF A STONE
A PRONG THAT APPEARS LIFTED OR DAMAGED
UNUSUAL RATTLING
A CHANGE IN HOW THE STONE SITS
If you notice any of these signs, stop wearing the piece until it has been inspected.
STORAGE
Jewellery should ideally be stored individually or with enough separation to prevent pieces rubbing against one another.
Diamonds can scratch other jewellery.
Metal surfaces can also mark each other through repeated contact.
Store pieces:
CLEAN
DRY
SEPARATED
and protected from unnecessary pressure.
Where supplied, PRECIOUS ATOM packaging may be used for appropriate storage.
CHAINS
Fine chains can become tangled or kinked when stored loosely.
Fasten the clasp before storage where appropriate and lay the chain flat or place it in a dedicated compartment.
Avoid pulling a knot aggressively.
Delicate chains can stretch or deform under excessive force.
EARRINGS
Store earrings as pairs where possible.
Check:
posts,
backs,
hinges,
and closures
periodically.
If a clasp or closure begins to feel unusually loose, discontinue wear until it has been inspected.
BRACELETS
Bracelets experience frequent contact with desks, surfaces and objects throughout the day.
This can naturally create more surface wear than on some other jewellery categories.
Take particular care with:
diamond-set bracelets,
hinges,
clasps,
and articulated links.
RINGS
Rings are among the most exposed pieces of jewellery because the hands constantly interact with the environment.
Remove rings before:
lifting heavy objects,
exercise,
cleaning,
gardening,
or other activities likely to apply pressure or impact.
Regularly inspect rings containing stones, particularly if worn every day.
NATURAL PATINA
Not every mark needs to be removed.
Over time, jewellery can acquire a surface character created through wear.
This is sometimes described as patina.
Some clients prefer to preserve this evolving surface.
Others prefer a more polished appearance.
Neither approach is inherently more correct.
The object becomes yours through use.
PROFESSIONAL CLEANING & MAINTENANCE
Professional inspection may be appropriate for jewellery that is:
worn very frequently,
diamond-set,
structurally complex,
or showing signs of wear.
Professional services may include:
cleaning,
setting inspection,
surface refinishing,
polishing,
and other appropriate maintenance.
Avoid allowing unqualified repair work to be performed on fine jewellery.
ULTRASONIC & STEAM CLEANING
Professional ultrasonic or steam cleaning can be suitable for some jewellery, but not every piece or material combination should be treated in the same way.
Do not automatically use an ultrasonic or steam cleaner without confirming that the specific jewellery design and all its components are suitable.
When uncertain, seek professional guidance.
WHEN NOT TO WEAR YOUR JEWELLERY
As a simple rule, remove fine jewellery when the activity presents unnecessary risk to the object.
Examples include:
SPORT
GYM TRAINING
SWIMMING
HEAVY CLEANING
MANUAL WORK
ACTIVITIES INVOLVING IMPACT OR PRESSURE
Fine jewellery is designed to be lived with.
Care does not mean never wearing it.
It means knowing when to protect it.
A LONGER LIFE
Jewellery is an object designed to exist beyond a single moment.
How it is stored, worn and maintained influences how it evolves.
A considered routine can help preserve both its appearance and structural integrity.
Wear it.
Live with it.
Care for it.
NEED ASSISTANCE?
If you have a question about caring for a specific PRECIOUS ATOM piece, contact Client Care.
Where possible, include:
THE NAME OF THE PIECE
THE MATERIAL
A DESCRIPTION OF YOUR CONCERN
and photographs where they may help us understand the issue.
CONTACT CLIENT CARE →
PRE-LAUNCH
PRECIOUS ATOM is currently preparing its first collection.
Product-specific care instructions will be provided where a particular material, finish, setting or construction requires additional guidance.
REQUEST EARLY ACCESS →