CARE AND REPAIR

Care and cleaning:

All our pieces are created with care and intention and, to ensure your new AuTerra piece lasts for many years to come, it will need to be treated with the same mindfulness with which it was created. 

We suggest that jewellery be removed when you go to the gym, hiking, gardening or other physical activity where your jewellery items could be knocked, scratched or abraded. Even harder wearing gemstones like diamonds can chip if knocked at the wrong angle. We also recommend that you remove your rings before doing housework or an activity where they may be exposed to chemicals.

Care should be taken when swimming. Losing jewellery in the ocean or swimming pool is very common, particularly rings as our fingers shrink considerably in cold water. Although all our jewellery is waterproof, salt water, chlorine and harsh soaps can cause tarnishing. Therefore, we advise that you remove all your jewellery before swimming or showering.

All precious metals are susceptible to tarnishing over time, but this process will be accelerated if your jewellery comes into contact with perfumes, body lotions, chemicals or humidity. Limit your jewellery’s contact to these substances as much as possible but since tarnishing is merely a surface discolouration it can easily be remedied. All AuTerra pieces come with a small square of polishing paper suitable to the finish of your particular piece; either matte (green polishing paper) or polished (white polishing fabric). Use this to restore your piece’s original lustre by rubbing gently. If you no longer have the piece we supplied you, great polishing materials are available from most grocery stores. Jewellery with a matte finish can be rubbed down with a clean green Scotchbrite pad (the kind used for dishes), very lightly in a circular motion. For pieces with a polished finish use a silver polishing cloth. Silver dips (again available from good grocery stores) are great for chains and more delicate pieces. 

Aside from tarnish, daily grime can also accumulate on jewellery pieces. Warm soapy water and a soft brush (an old toothbrush works particularly well) will remove any residue build up. Please take care to rinse and dry off well.

A matte finish on jewellery will almost always wear down in time and naturally buff up to a slightly more polished look (particularly in raised areas). This is simply due to your jewellery rubbing on surfaces as we move in daily life. To re-matte your jewellery at home, gently rub with the supplied green polishing square or Scotchbrite pad as mentioned above. This is not exactly the same finish applied in our studio but works well to re-matte any shiny areas. Please contact us to book your jewellery in for a professional clean and refinish service if you would prefer. This will be charged according to the requirements.

Stone settings can loosen over time. If you notice that your stone starts to feel loose please stop wearing the piece immediately and bring it to us (or any reputable jeweller who specialises in repairs) to have the setting tightened to safeguard against losing your precious stone.

Chains are by their very nature delicate, and care must be taken whilst wearing them. Any hard tugs, or the tangling of the chain (either during wear or storage) can weaken them and lead to breakages. We recommend removing your chain when sleeping or doing physical activities.

 

Storage:

When not being worn, store your jewellery individually in its AuTerra bag or box in a cool dry place to prevent your special pieces being knocked, scratched or tangled.

 

Insurance and Valuations for Higher End Pieces:

We recommend taking out insurance on your jewellery. Usually, proof of purchase in the form of your invoice is enough to satisfy your insurance provider. However, we can also provide in-house valuation certificates for any piece over R10 000. Should you require one, please contact us within a maximum of 30 days of your order being delivered or collected to arrange this.

Independent valuations and appraisals (conducted by The Gem Lab) can be arranged by special request for a fee of R750. The Gem Lab valuations will add a week’s lead time onto your order and need to be requested when you finalise your order. We can’t facilitate any independent valuations after your piece has left the studio.

 

Repairs:

All our pieces are made using the highest quality materials and are designed for longevity, but life happens, especially with treasured pieces we wear often. If the damage is the result of a manufacturing fault we will repair it for free within the first 30 days. All other repairs will be charged by the hour. Please let us know the extent of the damage and we will quote you on the work required.

It is not usually possible to repair a broken chain as the links are too small. We can, however, replace them, the cost of which will depend on the material and the length. Please get in touch for a quote.

You will be responsible for any courier costs incurred in getting the piece to and from our studio. Please use a reputable courier as we cannot take any responsibility for pieces that do not arrive safely.

Please note: We do not offer a repair service on jewellery not manufactured by AuTerra.