Wear & Tear

Understanding Day-to-Day Appropriate Wear for Fine Jewellery

 

Fine jewellery is designed to complement your daily life. However, there is an important distinction between wearing jewellery during everyday activities and exposing it to conditions that may cause preventable damage. The following guidance will help you understand what constitutes appropriate day-to-day wear.

Generally Safe Activities

Your Adelle Louise jewellery is designed to be enjoyed during the ordinary course of your day. Activities such as working at a desk, attending meetings, dining, light social occasions, and gentle daily routines are all considered appropriate wear. Lightweight rings, earrings, pendants, and bracelets are well-suited to these settings.

 

Activities Requiring Caution

Certain everyday activities carry a higher risk of incidental damage and warrant either the removal of your jewellery or increased mindfulness while wearing it:

• Cooking and food preparation.
  Rings and bracelets are particularly vulnerable during cooking. Contact with hard surfaces such as pots, pans, chopping boards, and countertops can cause scratches, dents, or setting damage. Exposure to acidic foods, oils, and seasoning residues may also affect certain gemstones and metals.
  
  
• Cleaning and household chores.
  Household cleaning products often contain chlorine, ammonia, bleach, and other chemicals that can damage precious metals and gemstones. Scrubbing, wringing, and contact with abrasive materials may also cause physical damage. We strongly recommend removing all jewellery before cleaning.
  
  
• Lifting or carrying heavy objects. 
  Gripping heavy bags, moving furniture, or carrying weighted items places significant stress on ring settings and bracelet links. This type of force can bend metal, loosen prongs, and compromise the structural integrity of a piece over time.
  
  
• Contact with hard surfaces. 
  Striking a ring against a marble bench top, granite countertop, tiled surface, or metal railing (even lightly) can chip gemstones, dent metal, or dislodge stones from their settings. This is one of the most common causes of accidental damage to rings.
  
  
• Exercise and physical activity. 
  Gym equipment, weights, yoga mats, and sports gear all present risks to fine jewellery due to pressure applied. Sweat can also accelerate tarnishing and chemical reactions with certain metals. We recommend removing all jewellery before any form of exercise.
  
  
• Gardening and outdoor manual work. 
  Soil, grit, and the physical demands of gardening can scratch metals and abrade gemstone surfaces. The moisture and chemical content of soil may also affect certain stones over time.
  
  

Activities Where Jewellery Should Be Removed

We strongly advise removing your jewellery entirely before swimming (in pools, the ocean, or hot tubs), showering or bathing, applying sunscreen or insect repellent, sleeping (to prevent snagging and undue pressure on settings), and any activity involving power tools, machinery, or significant physical exertion.

A Note on Rings

Rings endure more daily contact than any other category of jewellery. The underside of a ring band is in constant contact with surfaces each time you grip, hold, or rest your hand. Fine scratches and minor marks are an expected part of a ring’s life and are not indicative of poor quality. If you wish to maintain a pristine finish, periodic professional polishing is recommended.

For any further enquiries regarding the care of your Adelle Louise piece,

please do not hesitate to contact our atelier directly.