How to Care for Silver and Gold Historical Jewellery
Silver and gold historical jewellery is made to be worn, but a little careful maintenance will help preserve its finish, detail and character for years to come. The best approach is gentle and simple: keep the piece clean and dry, avoid harsh chemicals and never polish away the surface details that make an exact historical reproduction distinctive.
How to clean silver historical jewellery
Silver naturally reacts with the air and may gradually develop tarnish. This is normal and does not mean the metal is poor quality.
For routine cleaning, use lukewarm water with a small amount of mild washing-up liquid. Gently clean the jewellery with a soft cloth or very soft brush, rinse it carefully and dry it completely.
A silver polishing cloth can be used lightly on accessible surfaces. Avoid rubbing heavily into scored lines, lettering, textured areas or deliberately irregular surfaces. These details reproduce the surviving character of the original artefact and should not be polished flat.
Strong silver dips and abrasive cleaners are best avoided unless you know they are suitable for the entire piece. They can remove deliberate darkening, affect gemstones and leave residue inside recessed decoration.
How to care for gold historical jewellery
Gold does not tarnish in the same way as silver, but it can still collect oils, soap and dirt through everyday wear. It may also develop fine marks over time, particularly on rings and bangles.
Clean plain gold jewellery using lukewarm water, mild washing-up liquid and a soft cloth or brush. Rinse thoroughly and dry with a clean, lint-free cloth.
Gold is a precious metal, but it is not indestructible. Remove gold rings and bangles before heavy manual work, gardening, lifting weights or using tools. This reduces the risk of deep scratches, distortion or damage to a stone setting.
Protecting gemstones and settings
Gem-set historical jewellery needs extra care because different stones respond differently to heat, chemicals and cleaning equipment. A method that is safe for a diamond may not be suitable for a softer, porous or treated gemstone.
Avoid soaking a gem-set piece unless you know the stone is suitable. Do not use an ultrasonic cleaner without professional advice, as vibration may worsen a loose setting or damage certain gemstones.
Check rings and other gem-set pieces regularly. If a stone begins to move, catches on clothing or the setting looks worn, stop wearing the piece and have it inspected before the stone is lost.
What to avoid when wearing precious-metal jewellery
- Remove jewellery before swimming, bathing or using a hot tub.
- Avoid direct contact with bleach, chlorine and household cleaning products.
- Apply perfume, hairspray, creams and cosmetics before putting jewellery on.
- Remove rings and bangles before heavy work or exercise involving metal equipment.
- Do not force a ring over a swollen knuckle or attempt to bend a bangle into shape.
How to store historical jewellery
Store each piece separately in a dry jewellery box or soft pouch. Keeping items apart prevents harder metals, gemstones and settings from scratching one another.
Silver benefits from being stored away from damp air. If a piece will not be worn for some time, place it in a closed pouch or suitable anti-tarnish storage bag once it is completely clean and dry.
Chains should be fastened before storage to reduce tangling. Rings and bangles should be placed where they will not be crushed by heavier objects.
Caring for an exact historical reproduction
Our jewellery preserves the surviving marks, irregularities and surface details of genuine historical finds. These characteristics are intentional: they connect the finished piece directly to the original artefact rather than presenting a modern interpretation of the period.
Cleaning should therefore preserve that character, not remove it. Gentle maintenance is usually sufficient. If a piece requires deeper cleaning, refinishing, resizing or repair, professional attention is preferable to aggressive treatment at home.
Every British Historical Jewellery piece is individually hand-cast and finished in our Leeds workshop. Qualifying precious-metal pieces are independently tested and hallmarked by the London Assay Office.
Explore our historical rings, historical bangles and complete historical jewellery collection, or discover how our exact historical reproductions are created.