Jewellery is not only a valuable investment but also holds great sentimental meaning. While we all hope our pieces of jewellery will last a lifetime, keeping them beautiful and wearable for years to come does require proper care and regular maintenance, so it helps to make this a habit.

General Care

Even if only worn occasionally, jewellery - especially rings - are constantly exposed to surfaces, elements, and movement that can cause gradual wear or sudden damage. A single, unnoticed knock at the wrong angle can have impact. Everyday surfaces like granite countertops or wearing rings on adjacent fingers can also cause friction or surface scratches. Claws can be especially vulnerable and can loosen or catch.

Damage doesn’t necessarily indicate a design or manufacturing fault. Once your piece of jewellery leaves our studio, it becomes your responsibility, and its longevity will largely depend on how it’s treated and cared for and what it comes into contact with.

To help minimise risk:
Remove jewellery during activities that you know could knock, squeeze or scratch (for example, but not limited to; sports, gym, gardening, housework)
Be mindful of gemstone sensitivity - some stones are less resilient than others and may react or fade in sunlight or with sudden changes in temperature. Some stones will draw moisture from the air and need to be stored in a cool environment - It’s always worth familiarising yourself with your gemstones attributes.
Avoid exposure to chemicals such as chlorine, bleach or other household cleaners.
Apply perfumes and lotions before putting on jewellery.
Remove jewellery before sleeping and store each piece in a soft-lined case or pouch when not being worn.

Regular inspection of your jewellery is useful, especially if your job/lifestyle means your items may be regularly exposed to knocks or bumps etc.

If you notice a loose claw or stone, or any other signs of possible damage, it’s essential you contact us for further advice as soon as possible. Ignoring this could lead to a bigger issue, such as the total loss of a stone.

Signs of a loose claw/stone damage:
Movement or wiggling - If your stone moves or shifts, or makes a clicking sound, it could be loose.
Chips - Small pieces breaking off a stone is generally a sign of accidental impact and could mean claws/settings have been compromised.
Scratches - Surface marks are generally caused by natural wear and tear, but any deep fissures may be a sign of accidental impact.
Broken or raised claws - Run your finger over the claws, they should feel smooth. If one or more is raised they may require attention and a fully broken claw will need to be repaired.

An expert examination of your piece of jewellery will not only be able to diagnose and repair any issues that arise, but also catch things that the untrained eye might miss. We offer a complimentary annual steam clean and inspection to help maintain your jewellery and spot any potential issues early on. Appointments can be booked here.

All Brazen jewellery comes with a 1 year full warranty which you can view in detail here.

Cleaning

Over time, natural oils, dust and grime can build up under settings, dulling the sparkle of diamonds and gemstones. A gentle at-home clean should help restore shine:

1. Mix warm (not hot) water with a few drops of mild washing up liquid.
2. Use a soft toothbrush or small paintbrush to gently clean around the stones and settings.
3. Rinse and dry with a lint-fee cloth, or allow to air dry.
4. Never use bleach or abrasive cleaners.

When in doubt, contact us for further advice, or take advantage of our complimentary annual steam clean service.

Insuring Your Jewellery

Whether valuable in monetary or emotional terms, your jewellery should always be insured appropriately against loss, damage or theft. While home contents insurance may offer some cover, it’s important to check your policy - especially for high value items - or if you wear them outside the home.

Jewellery Valuations

Your final invoice will serve as valid proof of value for items under two years old. However, if required, we can issue a formal valuation certificate for bespoke pieces:

Available for items over £2000

Administrative fee: £30

Valuations are based on current and retail comparisons.

For pieces between £1000-£2000, a certificate is not typically required but we can provide one on request for the same fee.

Please Note: For items over 6 months old, we must physically assess your jewellery in the studio before issuing or updating a certificate - this is a legal requirement.

Valuation certificates can only be provided to the original client who commissioned the piece.

Repairs & Servicing

Our jewellery is handcrafted to the highest standards, but no piece of jewellery is indestructible. Damage can occur even with careful handling, and it’s entirely natural for items to need maintenance over time, much like owning a vehicle!

We’re happy to assess and/or carry out repairs to most items originally made in our workshop.* However we are unable to carry out repairs on pieces not made by us.

Find our full warranty and repair details here.

*Please note that our 1 year warranty does not extend to items such as chains, or other standard manufactured findings that we may use.

Once your 1 year warranty has expired there is no obligation for us to carry out your repair work. You may take your item to any reputable jeweller of your choice and we may even recommend this, should the work required be specialised (i.e extensive laser work).