Crafty Horse jewellery is designed to be worn, enjoyed and treasured. Our pieces are crafted primarily from 925 sterling silver, with select designs finished in a gold plating over sterling silver, or a combination of both.
With thoughtful, everyday care, rather than heavy cleaning, your jewellery will age beautifully and maintain its finish over time.
Sterling silver & rhodium-finished pieces
All of Crafty Horse jewellery is made from 925 sterling silver. Select pieces are finished with a fine layer of rhodium, a precious metal from the platinum family.
Rhodium is used to enhance the natural brightness of silver and help reduce surface tarnishing over time. It creates a clean, bright white finish while protecting the sterling silver beneath.
Whether your piece is natural sterling silver or rhodium-finished sterling silver, the same gentle care principles apply.
Everyday care (what really matters)
Jewellery is exposed to skin oils, perfumes, lotions and everyday handling. A simple routine makes all the difference:
- Gently wipe your piece after wear using the polishing cloth included with your order
- Store jewellery away from moisture, direct sunlight and humidity
- Put jewellery on after applying perfume, sunscreen or skincare
- Remove jewellery before showering, swimming, exercising or sleeping
Many of our sterling silver pieces feature a rhodium finish, which helps maintain their brightness and reduces the need for frequent polishing.
Please remember that our jewellery is not designed for harsh environments – and at this level of craftsmanship, it shouldn’t need aggressive cleaning.
Our polishing cloths are matched to your piece
Each Crafty Horse order includes a complimentary cotton jewellery polishing cloth, selected specifically for the materials in your piece. This is an important part of caring for your jewellery properly.
Sterling silver & silver‑plated pieces
For pieces made from solid 925 sterling silver or pure silver plating over sterling silver, we include a silver polishing cloth.
This cloth is:
- Lightly impregnated with a silver‑safe polishing agent
- Designed to reduce tarnish and restore brightness
- Suitable only for silver surfaces
Used occasionally, it helps maintain the natural lustre of silver over time.
Rhodium-Finished Sterling Silver
Some Crafty Horse pieces are crafted from 925 sterling silver and finished with a fine rhodium layer. Rhodium is a precious metal from the platinum family, used in jewellery to enhance brightness and help reduce surface tarnishing. For these pieces, we include the soft cotton polishing cloth.
This cloth is:
- Gentle on rhodium-finished surfaces
- Contains no polishing agents or chemicals
- Is designed for wiping fingerprints, oils and light marks
Rhodium creates a bright, protective finish over sterling silver. Because of this, heavy polishing is rarely required. A gentle wipe with the cotton cloth after wear is usually all that is needed to maintain the piece.
**Silver polishing cloths should not be used on rhodium-finished jewellery, as the polishing agents can gradually wear the rhodium layer over time.
Gold‑Plated Jewellery
For jewellery finished with a gold plating over sterling silver, we include a soft, untreated cotton polishing cloth.
This cloth:
- Contains no polishing agents or chemicals
- Is gentle on plated surfaces
- Is intended for wiping fingerprints, oils and light marks only
Gold plating is delicate by nature, and gentle care preserves the finish for longer.
Why we don’t recommend silver polishing cloths on gold‑plated pieces: Silver polishing cloths are chemically active and designed to react with silver oxidation. When used on gold-plated jewellery, they can interact with the thin gold layer and, in some cases, reach the sterling silver beneath the plating. This may lead to surface discolouration or premature wear of the gold finish. For this reason, silver polishing cloths should never be used on gold-plated jewellery.
Two‑tone jewellery (Silver with gold details)
For two‑tone designs that combine sterling silver with gold‑plated details, we include the soft cotton polishing cloth.
This ensures:
- Gold‑plated accents are protected from chemical contact
- The overall piece can be gently maintained without risk to plated areas
If required, silver areas may be lightly polished with a silver polishing cloth, but for everyday care, the cotton cloth is the safest and most balanced option.
Pearl Jewellery Care
Freshwater pearls are organic and naturally delicate. They require a softer approach than metal jewellery.
For pearl pieces:
- Use only the soft cotton polishing cloth
- Wipe gently after wear to remove skin oils
- Avoid polishing agents, chemicals or abrasive cloths
Never use a silver polishing cloth directly on pearls, as this can dull their natural lustre and affect the surface over time.
Store pearl jewellery separately, ideally in a soft pouch or sealed PE (polyethylene) bag to protect it from friction.
Why we use cotton polishing cloths
At Crafty Horse, all of our polishing cloths are made from cotton and are included as a complimentary part of your order. While cotton cloths cost more than synthetic or microfibre alternatives, we choose them for their superior material qualities and how they feel in hand.
Cotton fibres are naturally soft, breathable and non-abrasive, making them well suited to fine jewellery, plated finishes and pearls. They allow jewellery to be gently wiped clean without friction or residue, preserving the character and finish of each piece. This choice reflects our preference for natural materials and a considered approach to jewellery care
Storage recommendations
When not being worn:
- Store jewellery in a dry, cool place
- Keep pieces separate to avoid scratching or tangling
- For gold‑plated jewellery, we recommend storing the piece in a sealed PE (polyethylene) bag to limit exposure to air and moisture
- Avoid storing jewellery in bathrooms or humid environments
Proper storage plays a major role in preserving both silver and gold finishes.
If you received one of our pieces, you’ll find a jewellery care card included with your order, along with a PE (polyethylene) storage bag selected for your piece.
A note on cleaning
Crafty Horse jewellery is designed for refined, everyday wear – not environments that require heavy cleaning or abrasive treatments.
In most cases, gentle wiping and correct storage are all that’s needed.
More intensive cleaning methods for older or heavily tarnished silver are best left to professional jewellers and will be covered separately in a dedicated guide.
If you ever have questions about caring for a specific piece, we’re always happy to help. Thoughtful care ensures your jewellery continues to reflect the craftsmanship and meaning behind it – for years to come.
**Our jewellery care guide was updated in January 2026 to reflect current packaging, materials and aftercare recommendations.
