Materials & Care

STERLING SILVER
Sterling or 925 silver, a mixture of 92.5% silver and 7.5% of alternative metals for strengthening, is the purest form of silver used in jewellery making. Silver jewellery from Sif Jakobs is fashioned in sterling silver and plated with rhodium for a polished finish that helps protect from tarnish.

It is important to take appropriate care when wearing and handling your Sif Jakobs rhodium-plated jewellery to ensure a long-lasting shine. Follow our universal material care tips below to keep your silver jewellery shiny and beautiful. 

18 KARAT GOLD

Sif Jakobs Jewellery creates beautiful semi-fine jewellery from 925 sterling silver, plated with 18K yellow gold. By using a high-quality 3-micron thick coating for rings and a 2-micron coating on earrings, necklaces, bracelets and bangles, Sif Jakobs’ gold-plated jewellery is very durable.

With the right care, gold-plated jewellery is long-lasting and beautiful and can be re-plated if required. Take special care when you handle things that are likely to scratch your gold-plated jewellery also follow or universal care tips to keep your favourite piece glamorous and shiny.

ZIRCONIA

Add sparkle with zirconias, without investing a fortune in precious stones. Sif Jakobs Jewellery uses only superior quality AAA cubic zirconia, and the stones are typically princess-cut to optimise light reflection. Their highly refractive, optically clear, single crystals are durable and retain their colour and brilliance, all at a fraction of the cost of diamonds. Sif Jakobs Jewellery also uses treated zirconia which has a permanent black colour and is highly prized. We also use tinted zirconia stones in a variety of pretty colours, infusing a playful touch.

Chemical contact can leave a residue on the stones causing them to become dull in appearance.Clean your zirconia stones every few weeks with a soft brush and warm water containing a PH-neutral soap. Rinse in warm water and pat dry with a clean cloth, to restore the stone’s natural shine and clarity.

FRESHWATER PEARLS

Freshwater pearls are beautiful semi-precious gems, created organically by freshwater mussels or clams. Sif Jakobs Jewellery uses naturally coloured freshwater pearls in their collections, combining with zirconias for a stunning effect. 
As freshwater pearls are delicate and vulnerable to scratches, store your pearl jewellery separately in soft jewellery bags or original packaging.The best method for cleaning your pearl jewellery is to wipe them gently with a jewellery cleaning cloth after every use. This will help maintain their lustre and avoid dirt build-up.

UNIVERSAL JEWELLERY CARE TIPS

The jewellery care mantra to be followed daily is to “let your jewellery be the last thing you put on and the first thing you take off”. Here are a few tips on jewellery material care to help you take care of your prized possessions.
  • Semi-fine plated jewellery can be damaged by chemicals in hairspray, perfumes, hand sanitisers, and lotions. Always make sure to apply these first and allow them to dry before putting on your jewellery, as the alcohol, moisture, and chemicals in these can lead to colour loss.
  • And remember to remove your jewellery before gardening, strenuous workouts and all water-related activities like bathing and water sports as most metals and natural pearls react with chlorine, moisture, and perspiration.
  • At the end of the day, wipe your jewellery clean with a soft cloth. Regular wipe-down using a jewellery polishing cloth prevents dirt build-up, removes light tarnish and inhibits re-tarnishing, prolonging the original shine and sparkle of your jewellery.
  • To remove accumulated dirt from rhodium- or gold-plated jewellery, soak the jewellery in lukewarm clean water mixed with a small quantity of PH-neutral soap. Rinse well to remove any mineral residue and wipe dry immediately with a soft cloth.
  • To prevent scratches it’s also important to store jewellery separately and safely, preferably in its original box or in a jewellery box with separate compartments when not in use. Jewellery organisers also make finding your favoured pieces easy.

FAQ

CAN I BATH WITH MY JEWELLERY?

No, we recommend removing your jewellery before bathing, showering, or using a sauna and solarium. Steam, moisture, as well as the perfumes and chemicals in soaps and shampoos, will tarnish and dull the materials.

CAN I WEAR MY JEWELLERY WHEN DOING SPORTS?

We encourage all our customers to remove their jewellery before engaging in sports or working out. Perspiration and the alcohol in deodorants and sanitisers may react with the metals, pearls or stones causing colour loss and dullness. Chlorine and salt also tarnish metals so avoid wearing your jewellery while swimming. There is also a risk of damage to the piece if worn during physical activity.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD I CLEAN MY JEWELLERY?

You should clean everyday jewellery, approximately once a week and other items in your jewellery box, about once a month.

HOW CAN I FIX THE LOCK ON MY HOOP EARRINGS?

Hoop earrings may occasionally become difficult to close, this may happen if the closure becomes bent during use. It can easily be fixed by gently pushing on the stud, either up or down, so that it "clicks" into the lock again.