We create our jewels to be worn and enjoyed. Diamonds, sapphires and rubies are all hard gemstones that do not scratch easily with wear, and withstand the energy of everyday wear. Pearls and softer gemstones (tourmalines, aquamarine, citrine, amethyst) will scratch more easily so care must be taken with these jewels and opting for occasional wear is recommended to keep them looking their best.
Remove your jewellery before engaging in practical activities including exercise (gym classes, yoga, swimming and weights), cleaning, gardening, 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.
Chemicals found in household cleaners and swimming pools can damage your jewellery, therefore we recommend removing your jewels prior to engaging in activities involving the presence of such chemicals. This is also relevant to hair and beauty products which should be applied before putting your jewellery on (this will keep your stones looking brighter too by avoiding any build up of product around your gems.)
Some of our necklace chains are particularly fine, so do take care not to get them caught or pulled; it is best not to sleep in necklaces. For necklaces that are strung, we use a durable nylon that is macrame knotted. Avoid getting your strung necklace wet to help prolong the time between re-stringing (for a piece worn very regularly, this can be every 12-18 months).
When storing your jewellery, please use the box or soft pouch provided, separating each item to protect them from scratches. To clean, use a soft, lint-free cloth. For a deeper clean, most jewels (with the exception of pearls and strung jewels) can be soaked in warm, soapy water. You can use a soft toothbrush to get into hard-to-reach gaps behind stones and between granules, where dirt may have settled.
Considered one of the Earth's most precious materials, diamonds are an excellent choice for longevity with a timeless appeal. We choose our diamonds for their unique character therefore they may display internal marks known as inclusions - these have been taken into account when considering the stones' durability needed for everyday wear. Diamonds can be as old as the earth itself, and are one of the hardest gems on earth, however they are not invincible and in rare circumstances may still fracture or break if hit hard enough. Be mindful when stacking and combining your jewels, diamonds are especially hard so we suggest pairing like metals and avoiding wearing items that may come into contact with the exposed edges of your diamond to avoid damaging your other pieces.
Second in hardness only to a diamond, sapphires are also an excellent option when considering longevity of wear. Most sapphires have internal characteristics, called inclusions, which do not typically pose durability concerns in gemstone quality. Avoid exposure to substances (cleaning products, beauty products, hand sanitisers) that may react with the stones surface and result in a change to its character. Exposure to particularly high temperatures can also cause changes to their colour and lustre.
Rubies belong to the same gemstone family as sapphires, are equally as hard and display similar internal characteristics. Avoid exposure to substances (cleaning products, beauty products, hand sanitisers) that may react with the stones surface and result in a change to its character. Exposure to particularly high temperatures can also cause changes to its colour and lustre.
Although a relatively hard stone, emeralds are fragile due to the high level of inclusions that naturally occur within their structure, making them more prone to chipping or breakage. Heat and chemicals can amplify these inclusions, making the stones more brittle. We’d only recommend an emerald engagement ring if you’re willing to commit to a more rigorous care and maintenance routine. The safest way to clean your emerald jewellery is gently, with lukewarm water, mild soap and a soft toothbrush.
Tourmalines are a good option if you’re looking for colour and can accept the level of care required for a gem that is a little softer than a sapphire, ruby or diamond. Knocks to the stone can cause scratches, chips or cracks, so it’s important to only choose a tourmaline for everyday wear if you’re prepared to work the gentle handling and attentive maintenance into your daily lifestyle and routine.
A durable gemstone for jewellery as long as it’s treated with care to protect it against scratching and hard knocks. Aquamarine is more hard wearing than tourmaline, but not as strong as diamond, sapphire and ruby. Avoid exposure to extreme heat as this could alter the depth of colour of your stone.
Clean pearls with a damp cloth to keep them looking lustrous - traces of dirt, perspiration and beauty products will erode their surface. Store them separately from your other jewellery to avoid scratches, keeping them in their box or a leather pouch to allow them to breathe.
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.
Stones can move and loosen in their settings over time as they are worn and enjoyed. We recommend you check the tightness of your settings regularly at home - every 6 months for a ring worn every day, a little less often for a jewel worn less regularly. Some ways to do this include moving a wooden toothpick across the surface of your stones to see if there’s any movement, as well as ‘listening’ for any loose stones by holding your jewel up to your ear and tapping lightly with your index finger; you can hear when stones are loose and moving in their settings. If you would like us to provide more guidance on how to check your settings, we’re happy to do so on request. If you do notice any movement, please refrain from wearing your jewel and return it to us for further inspection; you’re welcome to book in an appointment for this or post your jewel back to us at the Atelier with your details enclosed. 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 metals 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.
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 one year from the date of delivery. If you believe your jewel has a manufacturing fault, please do not wear the piece and contact us immediately. Within the first 12 months, should the issue be determined to be a manufacturing fault, we will happily cover the repair 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.
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 formal appraisal, we can put you in touch with an independent jewellery valuer who can provide a more detailed valuation.
Our jewellery is handcrafted at our London Atelier using recycled gold and responsibly sourced gemstones
Each of our jewels is imbued with a sense of discovery and is a timeless celebration of unconventional beauty
For over twenty years we have been perfecting our alternative, non traditional production techniques with careful attention to detail
We offer complimentary, fully insured and tracked worldwide shipping on all orders, delivered in our signature R.T packaging