Jewellery Care Guide

MICHIEL jewellery is made to be worn and enjoyed. Thoughtful care helps preserve its finish, shape and brilliance. This guide covers our sterling silver pieces with rhodium, yellow gold or rose gold plating, including designs with moissanite pavé. Refer to your product details for its particular materials and finish.

Wear with care. Wipe gently after use. Store each piece clean, dry and separately protected.

925 sterling silver

Sterling silver contains 92.5% silver, alloyed with other metals for strength. It is still relatively soft, so contact with hard surfaces can leave scratches or dents.

Silver can develop tarnish, a surface reaction caused principally by sulphur-containing substances in the environment. Humidity and residues can encourage discolouration. Tarnish may appear yellow, brown or dark; it does not by itself mean the piece is ruined. Appropriate cleaning and storage can help manage it.

Rhodium-plated silver

Rhodium is a precious-metal coating over the sterling silver, giving a bright, silver-toned appearance and helping protect the surface against tarnishing. The underlying metal remains sterling silver.

The coating is not permanent. Friction gradually wears it, especially where links touch or a piece rubs against skin and other jewellery. Silver beneath worn areas may become exposed and tarnish. Gentle care helps preserve the coating; polishing cannot replace plating that has worn away.

Yellow gold and rose gold finishes

These finishes are a layer of gold over sterling silver, rather than solid gold throughout. Both need the same gentle treatment as other plated pieces. Avoid repeated rubbing, abrasive polishing and exposure to chemicals.

Colour can soften or change as the coating wears, particularly at contact points. There is no fixed lifespan that applies to every wearer. How often a piece is worn, perspiration, friction and care all affect its finish.

How your piece changes with wear

Fine marks and gradual changes in surface shine can develop with use. Wearing pieces beside watches or other jewellery increases rubbing and can speed up plating wear. Care reduces these effects but cannot keep a worn piece permanently untouched.

If a change seems unusually rapid, severe or unexpected, contact MICHIEL for advice. A change in appearance alone does not determine whether a product has a fault..

 

Wearing your jewellery

Everyday habits

Apply perfume, sunscreen, moisturiser, makeup and hairspray before putting on jewellery, and let them dry. Take your jewellery off before changing clothes if it could catch on a neckline or fabric.

Remove it before sleeping, showering, bathing, swimming, exercising, sport, saunas, steam rooms, cleaning and household work. Avoid chlorine, salt water, bleach, cleaning products and prolonged contact with perspiration. These exposures can affect the metal or finish and leave residues around stones.

Be mindful of desks, gym equipment and hard surfaces. Keep pieces away from keys and coins, and avoid activities where a necklace or bracelet may snag or be pulled.

The signature MICHIEL hook clasp

The MICHIEL clasp is an open-hook closure. It does not have a mechanical locking catch or an additional safety clip, so correct fastening and careful handling matter

  • Before each wear, pass the hook fully through the intended receiving link and check that it is correctly seated. Do not wear the piece if you are unsure it is properly connected.
  • Keep the chain untwisted when fastening or removing it. Support the piece rather than pulling it by the hook or forcing the links apart.
  • Avoid snagging, pulling and excessive twisting. These movements can cause an open hook to disengage,
    even if it was initially seated correctly
  • Never squeeze, bend or reshape the hook to change its fit. Do not use pliers or try to tighten it yourself.
  • Check the hook and receiving link for changes in shape, cracks or unusual movement. If anything looks altered, stop wearing the piece and contact MICHIEL.

Remove the piece before sleep or physical activity, and whenever the chain could catch on clothing or
equipment. If you would like help identifying the correct receiving link or fastening position, contact us
before wearing it.

Personalised, custom and made-to-order pieces

Personalised, engraved, custom or made-to-order pieces are not eligible for change-of-mind returns. This exclusion will be identified on the relevant product page before purchase. It does not affect any rights you may have if the item does not meet a consumer guarantee under the Australian Consumer Law.

Moissanite and pavé settings

Moissanite is durable, but it is not indestructible. The small settings securing pavé stones also need protection. A knock or a bent link can disturb a setting even when the stone itself appears undamaged.

Oils, creams and soap residue may reduce sparkle by forming a film on or around the stones. Reduced brilliance can be a cleaning issue; persistent changes should be professionally assessed.

Avoid impacts and pressure on the stone-set areas. If a stone moves, a setting catches unexpectedly, or a stone is missing, stop wearing the piece and arrange an inspection. Do not test a suspected loose stone by pushing or picking at it.

 

Cleaning and storage

A gentle clean after wearing

Use a clean, soft, dry, nonabrasive, lint-free cloth, such as a suitable microfibre cloth, to gently lift fingerprints and surface residue. Use light pressure and support the chain as you work. Avoid tugging the hook or catching the cloth on a setting.

A cloth labelled for silver polishing may contain polishing compounds that wear away plating. Use a supplied or purchased cloth only if it is suitable for plated jewellery; otherwise choose a plain, untreated soft cloth.

When a deeper clean is needed

If a gentle wipe does not remove buildup or discolouration, contact MICHIEL or a qualified jeweller.Explain that the piece is plated sterling silver and, where applicable, has moissanite pavé settings.

For stone-set pieces, have deeper cleaning carried out professionally. Avoid soaking, scrubbing around the pavé or using a cleaning solution unless its suitability for the complete piece has been confirmed. Advice for a loose moissanite stone or solid gold jewellery does not automatically apply to a plated, stone-set piece.

If jewellery becomes wet, gently blot it with a soft cloth and allow moisture between links and beneath settings to dry fully before storage. Do not use a hairdryer or direct heat. After contact with cleaning chemicals, chlorine or salt water, seek advice promptly if residue or discolouration remains.

Products and methods to avoid

Do not use silver dips, abrasive metal polishes, toothpaste, bicarbonate of soda, scouring pads, rough brushes, bleach or household cleaners. Avoid repeated buffing to chase away a mark; it can remove more of the coating.

Do not use home ultrasonic or steam cleaners. Ultrasonic vibration can disturb settings, and these methods may be unsuitable for the plated finish. A professional should assess the complete piece before selecting a cleaning method.

Your storage bag and anti-tarnish strip

Use the resealable bag and anti-tarnish strip supplied with your piece, following any instructions included with the strip.

  1. Wipe the piece gently and make sure it is completely dry.
  2. Lay the chain untangled in its individual bag, with the hook protected from pressure.
  3. Place the anti-tarnish strip inside. Gently ease out excess air without pressing on the jewellery, then seal
    the bag fully.
  4. Keep the bag protected inside a jewellery box in a cool, dry place.

Anti-tarnish strips help reduce tarnishing in an enclosed space. They do not clean existing tarnish, permanently prevent it or make damp storage safe. Replace the strip according to its manufacturer’s instructions; its useful life varies with the product and conditions. Contact MICHIEL if you are unsure when to replace yours.

 

Care over time

Between special occasions

Clean and dry your piece after its last wear, then store it separately in its sealed bag with the anti-tarnish strip. Keep it away from bathrooms, damp rooms, direct sunlight and heat sources.

Before wearing a piece that has been stored for a while, look over the clasp, links and any settings. Check that the bag and strip remain suitable for use. Storage helps protect a piece, but it does not make future checks unnecessary.

Travelling with your jewellery

Keep each necklace or bracelet separately protected so it cannot rub against other pieces or become tangled. Place its storage bag inside a padded jewellery case or protective box; a bag alone will not protect the hook from crushing.

Lay chains in gentle curves without sharp folds. Keep the hook away from pressure, and do not pull knots tight. If a chain will not untangle easily, ask a jeweller for help rather than forcing it apart

Tarnish, dullness or a worn finish

Begin with a gentle wipe using a plain soft cloth. If a mark remains, avoid stronger products or repeated polishing. A jeweller can assess whether it is surface residue, tarnish, plating wear or another issue, and recommend suitable treatment.

Cleaning removes suitable surface deposits; it cannot restore a coating that has worn away. Professional replating may be an option after assessment. Tell the jeweller the original finish and ask what result to expect, as colour and appearance can vary between plating processes.

Checks, damage and repairs

Inspect the hook, receiving link and chain regularly. For frequently worn pavé pieces, consider a professional setting check about once a year, or sooner after an impact or if something changes. This is preventive care advice, not a condition of your consumer rights.

Stop wearing the piece if you notice a distorted hook, cracked or broken link, loose stone, damaged setting or unusual movement. Continuing to wear it may worsen damage or lead to loss of a stone or the piece.

Do not bend, glue, solder or attempt structural repairs yourself. Keep the piece and any detached parts safely together and contact MICHIEL for guidance before arranging work. A qualified jeweller should assess structural concerns before cleaning or refinishing.

Here to help

For care questions or concerns about your piece, email care@michiel.com.au or visit michiel.com.au. A clear photograph, your order details and a brief description of the change will help us understand the issue.