Care & Repair

Jewellery, silver and well-made objects are intended to be worn, used, cared for and passed on. Sampson Mordan & Co.® offers care and repair guidance for jewellery, silver, objects, gentlemen’s accessories and vintage pieces, with each item considered according to its materials, construction, age and condition.

Not every item can or should be restored. In some cases, careful preservation is more appropriate than alteration. Where work is possible, we aim to respect the character, proportion and original nature of the piece.

1. Day-to-Day Care

To help preserve your jewellery, silver and objects, we recommend:

• Removing jewellery before bathing, swimming, exercising or sleeping.
• Avoiding contact with perfume, cosmetics, hairspray, lotions, cleaning products, chlorine, bleach and other chemicals.
• Keeping items away from abrasive surfaces, hard impacts and unnecessary pressure.
• Storing pieces separately to avoid scratching, tangling or rubbing.
• Using a soft, dry cloth after wear to remove light surface marks or moisture.

2. Materials

Different materials require different treatment. Gold, silver, gemstones, pearls, enamel, leather, hardstones and vintage materials should not be cared for in the same way.

• Sterling silver may naturally tarnish over time and should be stored dry, away from excessive humidity.
• Gold should be protected from impact, abrasion and harsh chemicals.
• Gemstones should be checked periodically to ensure settings remain secure.
• Pearls are organic and should be protected from perfume, cosmetics, heat and excessive moisture.
• Enamel, hardstone and decorative surfaces should be handled carefully, as chips, cracks or losses may be difficult to repair invisibly.
• Leather and fitted materials should be kept away from water, heat, oils and prolonged direct sunlight.

Further material guidance is available on our Materials page.

3. Cleaning and Polishing

Light cleaning may be suitable for some pieces, but polishing should be approached with care. Polishing can remove a small amount of surface metal and may soften detail, engraving, edges, hallmarks or original finish over time.

For vintage, antique or finely detailed items, we recommend seeking advice before undertaking any significant cleaning, polishing or restoration work.

4. Repairs

Repairs are assessed individually. We may be able to advise on:

• Broken chains, links, clasps and fittings.
• Loose settings, missing stones or worn claws.
• Damaged hinges, catches, loops, jump rings or suspension fittings.
• Worn surfaces, dents, distortion or structural weakness.
• Object mechanisms, closures and moving parts where appropriate.

Any repair is subject to inspection, feasibility and the availability of suitable materials or components. We will advise where a repair may affect the appearance, value, condition, hallmarking status or originality of an item.

5. Vintage and Antique Pieces

Vintage and antique pieces may show signs of age, use, repair, previous ownership or alteration. These characteristics can form part of the history of the object.

For older pieces, restoration should be considered carefully. In some cases, light conservation, cleaning or stabilisation may be preferable to heavy restoration. We will not recommend unnecessary work where it may diminish the integrity or character of the piece.

6. Care After Repair

After repair, jewellery and objects should be treated with particular care. Avoid pressure on repaired areas, and check clasps, hinges, settings and fittings regularly. Where an item is delicate, old or heavily worn, it may remain more suitable for occasional rather than daily use.

7. Third-Party Work

Repairs, polishing, alteration, resizing, stone setting or engraving carried out by a third party may affect the condition, value, hallmarking status or return eligibility of an item.

If you are unsure whether work should be undertaken, please contact us before proceeding.

8. Requesting Care or Repair

To request care or repair advice, please contact our Client Care team with:

• Your name and contact details.
• Your order number, where applicable.
• Clear photographs of the item.
• A short description of the issue or work requested.
• Any known history, hallmarking or previous repair information.

Once reviewed, we will advise whether the item should be inspected in person or sent for assessment. Where work is possible, we will provide guidance on likely cost and timing before proceeding.

For enquiries, please visit our Contact page.

9. Hallmarking

Where applicable, precious metal items are described and sold in accordance with UK hallmarking requirements. Repair, alteration or replacement parts may affect how an item should be described or assessed.

Further information is available on our Hallmarking page.

For further information, please refer to our FAQ page.