All Rachel Balfour jewellery is made with solid gold and precious gemstones. This is fine jewellery that is made to last many lifetimes and will always keep it’s value.

To protect your jewellery always remove it before washing, swimming, working out or sleeping and store in a jewellery box. Chlorine can permanently damage or discolour your jewellery. For this reason you should avoid wearing your jewellery when using chlorine or bleach, or while in a pool or hot tub. When dressing, jewellery should always be the last item to be put on and the first to be removed. This is to avoid contact with perfume or hairspray.

Gold contains no oxides and therefore will not tarnish, it is however a relatively soft material and care should be taken not to scratch it and to avoid hard knocks. Gold should be cleaned regularly in order to maintain its beauty and patina. A soft, lint free cloth is an effective way to keep gold jewellery looking its best.

Gemstones can be quite delicate and hot water, harsh chemicals and cleaners should be avoided at all times. Use a clean, soft, damp cloth to clean your gemstones. Very porous stones such as emeralds should be cleaned using an untreated, dry, soft cloth only. It is best not to use tissue paper or paper towels as they can cause scratching.

Diamonds are extremely hard however they can be scratched by other diamonds or damaged by a hard knock – so always take care when wearing or storing your diamonds. Clean your diamonds with warm soapy liquid and a soft toothbrush, rinsing the stone afterwards to ensure no soapy residue.

Pearls are an organic material and as such are much softer than most other gemstones and can be easily scratched. They should therefore be stored separately. It is also best to apply your make up and perfume before putting your pearl jewellery on as this can affect their lustre. Pearls can be wiped with a soft cloth after wearing, and occasionally wiped clean with mild soapy water. Allow the pearls to dry before putting them away.