How to Care for Your Handmade Jewellery

Why Jewellery Care Matters

Handmade jewellery is made with love — and with a little care, it can last a lifetime. Unlike mass-produced pieces, each Roam item is crafted by hand using quality materials like sterling silver, gold fill, and natural stones. Here's everything you need to know to keep your pieces looking their best.

The Golden Rules of Jewellery Care

• Keep it dry — Remove your jewellery before swimming, showering, or washing your hands. Water — especially chlorinated or salt water — can cause tarnishing and damage over time.
• Avoid chemicals — Perfume, hairspray, sunscreen, and cleaning products are jewellery's worst enemies. Always put your jewellery on last, after your beauty routine.
• Store it properly — Keep each piece in a soft pouch or jewellery box, away from direct sunlight and humidity. Storing pieces separately prevents scratching.
• Take it off before bed — Sleeping in jewellery can cause chains to tangle, clasps to weaken, and stones to loosen over time.
• Remove before exercise — Sweat contains salts and acids that can accelerate tarnishing, especially on silver pieces.

How to Clean Your Roam Jewellery

Cleaning your jewellery doesn't need to be complicated. Here's a simple routine that works beautifully for sterling silver and gold fill pieces:

• Soft cloth polish — Use a lint-free or microfibre cloth to gently buff your pieces after wearing. This removes oils and restores shine.
• Mild soap and water — For a deeper clean, use a small amount of mild dish soap diluted in warm water. Gently scrub with a soft toothbrush, rinse thoroughly, and pat dry immediately.
• Silver polishing cloth — For tarnished sterling silver, a dedicated silver polishing cloth works wonders. Avoid using it on gold fill pieces.
• Avoid ultrasonic cleaners — These can damage natural stones and loosen settings in handmade pieces.

Caring for Natural Stone Pieces

If your Roam piece features a natural stone, a little extra care goes a long way:

• Avoid soaking — Many natural stones are porous and can absorb water, which may cause discolouration or cracking.
• Wipe gently — Clean stone pieces with a barely damp cloth and dry immediately.
• Keep away from heat — Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight or heat can fade certain stones over time.

Storing Your Collection

Good storage is half the battle when it comes to keeping your jewellery in great condition:

• Use individual pouches — Each Roam order comes with packaging perfect for storage. Keep pieces in their pouches when not in use.
• Hang necklaces and chains — Hanging prevents tangling and kinking.
• Keep away from humidity — Bathrooms are the worst place to store jewellery. A bedroom drawer or jewellery box is ideal.

When to See a Jeweller

Even with the best care, sometimes pieces need a little professional attention:

• If a clasp becomes difficult to open or close
• If a stone appears loose or wobbly
• If tarnishing doesn't respond to home cleaning
• If a chain is kinked or damaged

A local jeweller can often repair or restore pieces quickly and affordably — and it's always worth it for a piece you love.

A Final Note From Roam

We make each piece with the intention that it will be worn, loved, and kept for years. With a little care and attention, your Roam jewellery will only get better with time — developing that beautiful patina that only comes from a life well lived.

Have questions about caring for a specific piece? Get in touch — we're always happy to help.