Jewellery care

Keep it beautiful, forever.

Every Hara piece is made from solid precious metal and designed to last decades. A little care goes a long way. Follow these simple guidelines and your piece will look as good in twenty years as it does today.

Sterling Silver

925 recycled silver

Sterling silver develops a natural patina over time - buff with a silver polishing cloth to restore shine. Remove before swimming, bathing, or applying perfume and skincare.

  • Store in an airtight pouch when not wearing
  • Clean with warm water and mild soap, rinse and pat dry
  • Avoid abrasive materials that can scratch the surface
Tip A silver polishing cloth is the single most useful thing in your jewellery box. It takes seconds and restores shine instantly.

9ct and 18ct Solid Gold

Recycled yellow, white and rose gold

Solid gold is the most hardwearing precious metal we use. It will not tarnish and needs very little maintenance - it can be worn 24/7.

  • Clean occasionally with warm water and mild washing-up liquid
  • Buff with a soft cloth to restore lustre
  • Store separately from silver to avoid contact scratching
Tip White gold is rhodium-plated and may need re-plating every 1-3 years depending on wear. We can arrange this for you.

Gold Fill

14ct and 18ct gold fill

Gold fill has a thick layer of solid gold bonded to a base metal core. With care it lasts many years and behaves much like solid gold.

  • Remove before swimming, bathing, and applying skincare
  • Wipe with a soft cloth after each wear
  • Store in a dry place, away from humidity
Tip Gold fill will eventually show wear on high-contact areas such as bracelets worn daily. This is normal and expected.

Gold Vermeil

18ct gold over sterling silver

Gold vermeil is sterling silver with a thick layer of 18ct gold. It is beautiful but requires more care than solid gold or gold fill.

  • Always remove before bathing, swimming, exercising, and sleeping
  • Apply perfume and skincare before putting on your jewellery
  • Clean only with a very soft dry cloth - no water or chemicals
  • Store in an airtight pouch to slow tarnishing of the silver base

Permanent Jewellery

Sterling silver and 9ct gold chains

Your permanent jewellery chain is designed for 24/7 wear, but a little care will keep it looking its best for longer.

  • Fine chains can be worn swimming, showering, and exercising
  • Pat dry after contact with water, especially in the chain links
  • Clean occasionally with a soft brush and warm soapy water
  • For silver chains, buff with a polishing cloth to prevent tarnish build-up
Tip If your chain needs re-welding, bring it to the studio. We can re-weld it for a small fee, or replace it with a new chain if needed.

General care for all jewellery

Whatever metal your piece is made from, a few simple habits will help it last a lifetime.

Always put your jewellery on last, after applying makeup, skincare, hairspray, and perfume. Chemicals in these products can affect the surface of the metal over time, even on solid gold.

When you take a piece off, wipe it with a soft lint-free cloth before storing it. This removes skin oils and any product residue before it has a chance to build up.

Store pieces separately so they do not scratch each other. Small zip-seal pouches work perfectly and take up almost no space.

Always avoid

  • Chlorine pools and hot tubs - chlorine weakens metal bonds over time
  • Perfume and hairspray sprayed directly onto jewellery
  • Harsh cleaning products, bleach, and household solvents
  • Ultrasonic cleaners for pieces with set stones or delicate settings
  • Scrubbing with abrasive materials, scouring pads, or toothpaste
  • Leaving jewellery in direct sunlight for extended periods
  • Storing multiple pieces loose together where they can tangle and scratch
  • Swimming in the sea regularly - salt water accelerates tarnish on silver