Most of our jewels are designed for everyday wear. Diamonds, sapphires and rubies are all hard gemstones that do not scratch easily with wear. Jewels that consist of materials such as pearls and softer gemstones (tourmalines, aquamarine, citrine, amethyst) will scratch with regular wear so care must be taken with these items and occasional wear is recommended.
We've outlined some useful tips below to keep your jewellery looking beautiful and cared for:
- - Remove your jewellery before engaging in practical activities including exercise (gym classes, yoga, swimming and weights), gardening, cleaning, arts and crafts (painting, ceramics). This will help to protect your jewels from impacts that could dislodge gems or damage your jewel, as well as chemicals and chlorine that can also harm your jewellery.
- - When storing your jewellery, please use the box or soft pouch provided which will protect it from scratches
- - Apply hair and beauty products before putting your jewellery on. This will minimise any build up around your jewel and its settings which can make your gems appear dull, as well as avoiding unusual characteristics your gemstones might display caused by exposure to certain chemicals.
- - Use a soft, lint-free cloth to clean your jewellery. For a deeper clean, soak it in warm, soapy water and use a soft toothbrush to get into hard-to-reach gaps where dirt may have settled
- - Harsh chemicals such as household cleaners and chlorine can damage your jewellery, therefore we recommend removing your jewels prior to engaging in activities involving the presence of such chemicals
- - Some of our necklace chains are particularly fine, so do take care not to get them caught or pulled
- - Pearls are particularly delicate, therefore we recommend storing your pearl jewellery separately from other jewels and in a dry atmosphere
Our Jewellery Aftercare Service
In order to ensure that your Ruth Tomlinson jewels last a lifetime and beyond, we're here to help you keep them in tip-top condition. We offer the following conditioning and general repairs:
We're honoured to be part of your unique love story when you purchase your engagement ring from us. We offer complimentary settings checks and an annual deep clean service on all engagement rings to help keep your jewels looking their best. Please contact us to arrange an appointment to take advantage of this.
Stone settings can move and loosen over time and with regular wear. We recommend you check your settings every 6 months. Your jewel should be returned to us for an inspection if you do notice any movement. Utmost care has been taken to set stones securely however Ruth Tomlinson is not responsible for the loss of stones after purchase. Please note that due to the unique nature of most of our stones, we cannot guarantee an identical replacement for any lost stones, though we will endeavour to find as similar a match as possible.
Matte and textured metals will become shinier and display a natural polished effect with wear, this is part of the metal's character as it likes to be shiny. We like the fact that it will change and develop with you as it is worn, however we can make the metal matte again for you if you so wish. Please contact us to book your jewels in for a clean and refinish service.
We design jewellery to be worn for a lifetime and beyond, but naturally the precious materials that we work with can wear over time. We offer a repair service which is assessed on a case-by-case basis. Please get in touch for further information.
Our Warranty
Please note that each piece of jewellery is handmade by Ruth Tomlinson Ltd and slight variations in form and material are part of the unique character of the work. The wearer is responsible for the care of their jewellery.
Manufacturer's defects are covered up to 12 months from the date of purchase. This does not account for general wear and tear, and we are not responsible for any loss that occurs.
All repairs are assessed on a case-by-case basis. Within the first 12 months, should the issue be determined to be a manufacturing fault, we will happily cover this free of charge. If pieces are misshapen or show signs of damage from general wear and tear or improper care, these repairs will be quoted on a case-by-case basis regardless of age.
Any work carried out on the jewels by another jeweller will void the warranty.
Insurance + Valuations
We recommend taking out insurance on your jewellery. Whether you add your jewels to an existing insurance policy (such as your home contents insurance), or whether you'd prefer to work with a jewellery-specific insurance company (we can help point you in the right direction), it's important to ensure your jewels are covered for wear inside and outside your home.
Usually, proof of purchase in the form of your invoice is enough to satisfy your insurance provider. We can also provide a certificate of authenticity if required. Should your insurer require a valuation or appraisal, we can put you in touch with an independent jewellery valuer who can provide a more detailed valuation.