Taking Care of Your Jewelry

Always store your jewellery pieces individually, preferably in your THE GOLD PORT box or pouch so that they don’t rub together, scratch or tangle. Also remember to keep your chains fastened so they don’t become tangled. store gemstones separately to avoid them bashing into each other.

Take care to avoid extreme humidity or heat as this may cause tarnishing. Your gold Plated and silver jewellery should be kept in a dark, cool and dry place.

With time and wear, sterling silver will naturally become oxidised and eventually tarnish. Storing silver jewellery in a sealed plastic bag or airtight box when it is not being worn will keep out the air that causes oxidation. All THE GOLD PORT sterling silver jewellery is rhodium plated which protects the silver from exposure and helps reduce long-term tarnishing.

Cleaning Your Jewelry

To best care for your piece, be sure to store gold PLATED JEWLRY in an airtight container or a lined jewellery bag - and remove before showering, exercising or applying lotions. To clean, gently buff the metal with a soft and dry cotton or microfiber cloth. Avoid using chemical cleaners that can strip the gold finish.

Clean your Gold jewelry carefully with a soft, non-abrasive and lint-free cloth or chamois; this helps maintain or bring back its shine. If necessary, We recommend using warm water with a soft cloth or toothbrush to maintain the gold's original shine. Always avoid using any abrasive jewellery cleaners that may contain damaging chemicals or polishing agents.

Avoid using ‘dip’ polish or abrasive jewellery cleaners as these contain harsh chemicals and can destroy your jewellery over time. We do not recommend the use of any jewelry polishing cloths which have been treated with cleaners or polishing agents.

What to Keep Away From Your Jewelry

Always remember that your jewelry should be the last thing you put on and the first thing you take off when dressing. 
Your jewelRy is particularly susceptible to damage from the effects of chemicals present in perfume, hairspray, make-up, nail polish remover, body oils, sun tan lotion and deodorant. Do not keep jewelry in direct sunlight as prolonged exposure to sunlight can cause many gemstones to fade and lose their color and become paler. 

What Can Erode or Dull Your Jewelry

Do not swim or shower while wearing gold-plated or silver jewelry, and remove rings when washing your hands. Chlorine, salt water and fresh water can damage precious metals and gemstones by dulling or eroding them. Gold and silver are particularly susceptible to damage from chlorine, which can permanently damage or discolour them. Soapy water when bathing and showering can also leave a thin film, which makes the metal seem dull.

Some stones can also be quite porous, which is why you shouldn’t leave these kinds of stones immersed in water for too long. Liquids and oils can seep into the gems through the tiny cracks between the crystals, causing permanent discolouration and damage. In addition, porous gems should not be worn to a beach or other hot, extreme environments.

GUARANTEE

All THE GOLD PORT pieces are guaranteed for 1 year from the original purchase date (with proof of receipt). If you have a problem, please contact us at customerservice@thegoldport.com giving your original order number and outlining the repair issue.

GOLD PLATED

Gold plating is a layer of base metal ELECTROPLATED IN GOLD

Gold plating is what we are known for, and we use a french method perfected over 75 years ago by our workshop.

Most of our fashion collection is made from 18 karat Gold Plated Brass Metal. We layer 18 k gold of 3 to 5 micron thickness on every piece, and also finish with a layer of anti-tarnish. This means that our pieces have a durability guaranteed by us; with good care your plated jewelry can have a long lasting color.

Any precious metal used for plating must still be of a legally recognised fineness. Although the finished item is covered with a precious metal, it cannot be hallmarked as it is only a covering.

RHODIUM PLATED

Rhodium is a metal from the platinum group that is naturally silver and beautifully bright. Almost all white gold is electro plated with rhodium to hide any staining or browning from the alloying process and to ensure white gold always has a shiny white, polished finish.

Over time, rhodium plating can wear away or scratch if it is repeatedly in contact with other hard items, this varies with the type of jewelry. Earrings for example, are unlikely to come into contact with anything which will wear the plating, but engagement or wedding rings may show signs of wear.

STERLING SILVER

Sterling silver is a fresh and contemporary precious metal found in mines around Australia, Canada, Mexico, Bolivia and Peru. Mixed with other metals to increase its strength, it is perfect for making bigger statement jewelry and has been used throughout history for necklaces, bracelets, earrings, rings and brooches. Sterling silver goes perfectly with diamonds and other precious gemstones. As with all precious metals,sterling silver jewelry will carry a hallmark declaring its quality and authenticity. Sterling silver is an alloy made of 92.5% pure Silver and 7.5% Copper, so marked 925. We plate our silver with rhodium and an anti-tarnish solution.

GEMSTONES

We use a refined selection of precious and semi-precious stones all of which have their own unique beauty, story and provenance.

A gemstone is the naturally occurring crystalline form of a mineral that has been fashioned for personal adornment. For centuries gemstones have been a representation of wealth and power which can still be seen today with fashion-led trends. They are considered valuable because of their rarity, strength, beauty and durability

GOLD

Gold is measured in karats and divided into 24 parts. Pure gold (Au) is measured as 24 k gold. 18 k gold is 18/24 parts by mass or 75 per cent gold making it ideal for everyday use. It is also the preferred choice for engagement rings and Fine Jewelry Creations. 9ct gold is 9/24 parts gold by mass or 37.5 per cent gold and this enables it to be more affordable gold option.

9k and 18k gold jewellery particularly in yellow, white and rose gold are the most popular gold choices. As with all precious metals, our gold jewellery carries a hallmark declaring its quality and authenticity.

Solid gold is an extremely durable material that does not easily oxidise or discolour. Our 9 karat gold is 375 parts raw gold out of 1000, and or 18 karat is 750 parts raw gold out of 1000.

PLATINUM

Platinum is a versatile and durable precious metal with a naturally white colour. Its dense quality makes it the perfect accompaniment to any gemstone, particularly diamonds. Because of its strength, platinum is a popular choice for a variety of jewelry including engagement rings, wedding rings, necklaces, earrings  and rings. Because of its 95 per cent purity, platinum does not oxidise in the air at any temperature which means its colour remains consistent and does not tarnish. As with all precious metals, platinum jewelry will carry a hallmark declaring its quality and authenticity.

DIAMONDS

Diamonds are composed of pure carbon, which means they are one of the most durable stones known to man.

the most highly valued of gemstones, worn and admired by royalty as a symbol of strength and status Over the centuries, diamonds have also become the ultimate declaration of love in the form of engagement rings, and other pieces of jewelry. Diamonds possess a unique character, elegance and remain simply timeless, making them a great choice of gemstone for any piece of jewelry. 

A diamonds value, rarity and beauty are determined by factors that are commonly known as the 4 Cs, these are: colour, clarity, carat and cut. 

Diamonds are measured in carats, which take into account the weight, rather than the size. Outsized carat weights are rarer and more precious. Carats are split into points where 100 points are equal to one carat.

• ½ carat diamond – 50 point or 0.50 carat diamond

• ¼ carat diamond – 25 point or 0.25 carat diamond

When there is more than one diamond on a piece of jewelry such as on a diamond cluster ring or a three stone pendant, the stones are weighed together rather than individually.