How To Clean Antique Vintage Jewellery & Engagement Rings

Care and Cleaning Tips For Your Open Backed Antique Vintage Jewellery & Engagement Ring!

Care Kit Checklist:

- mild liquid soap (if you can find salt free, that is best)

- ammonia based jewellery or window cleaner  diamonds, sapphires, and rubies only

- small brush with soft bristles

- water

- bowl 

- lint-free soft fabric or clean eyeglass cloth

How to:

1. Place the antique jewellery item in warm water or the ammonia based window cleaner in a bowl. Be wary of using sinks, make sure all drains are closed!

2. While holding the antique jewellery over the bowl use the soft bristled brush, soap or cleaner to gently brush all crevices and underneath. Repeat this after rinsing if necessary.

3. Soak your antique jewellery overnight if it is coated with dirt, then follow step two.

4. Rinse the antique jewellery while holding it over the bowl with warm water, this will prevent losing any loose stones

5. Dry your antique jewellery on a soft, lint free cloth or clean eyeglass cloth. Make sure to inspect the item once it is dry.

When in doubt, please contact Cynthia Findlay. Other titbits on cleaning your jewellery:

i) Ultrasonic cleaners should not be used on any vintage or antique jewellery

ii) Liquids should never be used on sensitive materials like hair, photographs or portrait miniatures – often these are found in vintage, antique lockets. Instead just use a cloth.

iii) Opals, pearls, turquoise are common porous and soft gems which should only be cleaned with water and a mild liquid soap. Never soak overnight, and only immerse in liquids for a few minutes. It is important to rinse well before drying your antique opal, pearl or turquoise jewellery.

Thinking About Georgian Jewellery & How to Take Care Of It?

About Georgian jewellery & How to take care of closed backed pieces

The Georgian period persisted from 1714 to 1837, it saw the rule of five different English Kings. Georgian Jewellery is very distinguishable, and very difficult to come by.  Jewellers of the time usually set gemstones in closed back settings, and they are also known for the ornate metal work. Georgian jewellery is truly a work of art; flower, crescent, foliage, ribbons and bows were common motifs. 

One of our clients recently purchased a stunning Georgian Ring. To own a piece of Georgian Jewellery is truly like owning a piece of history, and lots of care must go into it.

This ring has a closed back where you can only see metal and are unable to see the back of the gemstones, in this case diamonds. It is a common design of Georgian Jewellers who used foiling, backing the setting with foil, to magnify the light reflection of the diamonds. Georgian jewellery must never be on your hands while in contact with water, it should never be placed in liquids. This is to prevent moisture from getting in-between the stone and mount which will spoil the foiling and the colour. Caution should be taken when wearing Georgian jewellery in rain. Instead of using water on old pieces, gold and silver treated cloths are best to use. The cloths found with eyeglasses can also be used to remove dirt and grease.

When storing Georgian jewellery, we recommend that is be stored in a soft fabric and individually so not to rub against other pieces. A dry humid-free storage area is best, but refrain from air tight plastic bags or boxes for lengthy storage times. Just like any work of art, we know that your Georgian Jewellery can last from generation to generation. Georgian Jewellery worn frequently should be checked every year by a jeweller to ensure that any loose diamonds are secured. Contact Us to happily to assist you with this.

Top 5 Antique & Vintage Cottage Decorating Tips

Antique & Vintage Cottage Interior Decorating Ideas, Brighten Up your Summer Abode

It was a delight to be featured in Style At Home's Cottage Style edition this summer.

See the Top 5 Decorating Tips Below!

Orange Glass Vase, $325
Bird Figurine, $95
GW Alior Round Teal Indian Pot, $95
Green Ducal English Pitcher, $295
Turquoise Floral Victorian Vase, $450
Turquoise and Green West German Vase, $55
Van Briggle Candlesticks, $195
White double handled vase, $295

We were very inspired by the decorating trends in this issue. So many great tips on decorating your cottage.

Here is a list of the top 5 cottage style decorating tips from Style at Home!

1. “Embrace flower power, find a charming way to store fresh-cut flowers like using ceramic pitchers stacked on top of books”

2. “Be bold with the mix, combine antique and contemporary pieces to create a room that looks effortlessly put together”

3. “Look into Nature, take inspiration from organic shapes and textures in artwork, fabrics and accessories.”

4. “Make setting the table a breeze, let guests help by keeping utensils and napkins in easy-to-access vintage containers”

5. “Decorate in dynamic duos, pick strong colour combos to make every vignette in the room pop”

1. Center: Shorter and Sons English pitcher, $265

Left Vase : Bursley Ware Charlotte Read England, $495

Right Vase: Burslem England, $395

2. Left: Green Opaline vase, $495

Center: Wedgwood, $195

Right: Bronze sculpture Al Green, $595

3. Right: West German Vase, $425

Back: Mahogany and curly maple games board 1940, $495

Left: Vintage handmade Quilt, $295

Front: Vintage woven basket, $75

4. Top Left Shelf: Primrose plate container, $125 

Top Right Shelf: Coalport vase, $195

Pewter Plate bottom row: $195, $295, $195

Williams Adams vase, $125

Small ceramic cup, $65

Pewter English cup circa 1900, $65

5. Front left: Royal Cauldon circa 1930, $95

Swedish Art Glass, $995

Moorcroft "Reeds at Sunset" circa 1980, $1895

Please Contact Us for more information.