Jewellery Care + Size
Caring for your Jewellery
Caring for your jewellery with simple steps will help your jewels to last as best as possible and be treasured for generations to come.
For cleaning silver jewellery we recommend using a silver polishing cloth and a gold cloth for your gold jewellery once to twice a year.
Another safe method for cleaning jewellery at home is warm soapy water with a very soft toothbrush with gentle, circular strokes above a small bowl.
We advise against using cleaning abrasives, pastes or chemicals.
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Oxidisation is a natural tarnishing process that occurs during the life of jewellery, especially with silver and much less so with gold. We advise storing jewellery in the boxes they come in when not in use. A great way to keep your jewellery shiny is to wear it! Alternatively, if you want us to give your jewellery that high polish sparkle and lustre we can arrange this for you, simply get in touch at hello@vanrif.com.
General wear and tear is a part of jewellery wearing and the level of wear varies between each individual. Small scratches do occur and a professional polish usually removes them. However, do be mindful to take care when wearing your jewellery. Put body lotions/perfumes etc on the body first before putting your jewellery on. This avoids the build-up of products in the metal and prevents porous stones/materials from absorbing the products that may affect their colour and sparkle. Knocking and bumping stone settings, can cause the stones to dislodge over time. Swimming and showering can also affect the colour of some porous stones and should a stone be loose, it would be a shame for it to disappear down the drain! It is best to swim and shower without your jewels on. Every so often we recommend to check over your jewels to ensure nothing is loose or damaged.
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Stone care
Stones each have their own unique level of durability meaning some are more brittle than others and care does need to be taken not to knock them. We advise against wearing your jewellery during all exercise, cleaning, swimming, showering and sleeping.
Jewellery sizing
Not sure what ring size to order? Here are some options.
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Pop in the studio to see Jeanette: If you would like to pop in and have your measurement taken in person, you're welcome to come to the Marrickville or Double Bay studio with an appointment for a fitting. Get in touch and email me at hello@vanrif.com.
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Ring sizing kit: Order our complimentary ring sizing kit below.
Once received, place the sizing band on the desired finger at a time when you are not hot or cold. As our digits can change in size according to our body temperature changes. It should comfortably fit between your two end knuckles with some movement and be a little snug getting it on and off over your middle knuckle. Once in the right place gently pull the sizing band to the desired tightness and email us which letter it is sitting on. A photo of you wearing it, so we can see the measurement is even better! Email hello@vanrif.com
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Note: If ordering a wide band, we recommend ordering one size up from your regular size.
Sustainability + Manufacturing Practices
At Vanrif we believe in creating sustainable, unique and lasting jewellery.
Every piece is lovingly handmade and designed by Jeanette and her small professional team at our Sydney studio and we take meticulous care in creating your piece.
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The core value of Vanrif, we believe in making small batches and made-to-order through slow making. This reduces our carbon footprint and eliminates unnecessary wastage that is common in mass-produced jewellery.
This means it can take longer for your order to arrive compared to other mass-produced online stores.
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The general time taken for each piece to be made is 2-3 weeks depending on the design and the materials needing to be sourced.
By making our jewellery onshore we ensure ethical practices and support local economies.
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Vanrif jewellery is made from recycled and refined solid 9ct-22ct gold and silver produced in Australia and New Zealand. Our metal providers are certified by the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC). All our metal waste is recycled.
We make our jewellery using traditional silver and gold smithing techniques and the lost wax casting method. We enjoy incorporating modern technologies depending on the design requirements.
We use Australian fair mined and traceable back to the mine source, precious and semi-precious stones. Our diamond suppliers comply with the Kimberly process. We also support Australian lab-grown diamonds when requested.
In the creation of our jewellery, we strive to constantly improve studio practices and use a ’no plastic’ packaging policy.
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Your jewellery arrives in sustainable FSC forestry packaging. FSC packaging means that each step in the chain of production from forest to consumer is sustainable and certified.
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We are constantly educating ourselves to improve and seek out better sustainable practices and work with suppliers that do the same.
Thank you for your understanding, patience and for supporting local and loving our treasures.