GOLD & RATIO
Hand Crafted, Artisanal Jewellery featuring unique natural gemstones set in silver and gold.
One-of-a-kind, custom made or limited edition, Never mass produced.
Designed and made in Australia by Sydney-based Jeweller and Designer, Kate Harrison.
The best thing you can do for your precious jewels is to Insure them against loss, damage and general wear and tear. If you do not have a current valuation for insurance purposes, please contact us to request one.
Never wear your jewellery whilst doing heavy work such as chemical cleaning, gardening, extreme sport/ exercise or renovating.
Precious jewellery should be the last thing you put on before leaving the house and the first thing you take off when arriving home.
Store your jewellery items in their respective boxes (provided) or in a compartmented storage case. Try to avoid storing your jewels together and touching, as they can tangle and scratch each other, Felt lined jewellery cases are best.
Please don’t transport your jewels loose in your handbag or, worse, in your coin purse. If you would like to order a carry case or jewellery box, please let us know.
Please check in with us after 3 months of purchase for a complimentary assessment, to check the general condition and check for any accelerated wear.
All gemstones have a level of hardness (resistance to scratching) which is measured on a scale of one to ten. This is known as Mohs Scale. But don’t be fooled into false security, there are many other factors to consider with regards to the durability of natural gems. Also, any stone, even Diamonds (MOHS 10) can part or cleave or chip if struck on an unlucky angle.
Some gemstones, like the beloved Emerald, are inherently included, meaning they almost always have imperfections and tiny partially healed fractures within the stone, that can give them a brittleness and make them more prone to breaking.
Depending on their placement and type, natural inclusions in gemstones are sometimes of little concern to gem experts.
Gold &Ratio select coloured gems predominantly for their striking colour and brilliance, inclusions may be overlooked so long as they do not present a risk to the wearability or enduring strength of the piece.
Each species of gem is unique and will have specific needs when it comes to handle and care. Know your gem so you can help to protect it from damage where possible.Pearls
When wearing pearls, all moisturisers, perfumes and hairsprays should be applied 5 minutes before putting on your jewels. Strung pearls should never be worn in water, in bed or during physical exertion. The silk thread should be checked every 2 years. To keep clean, wipe pearls gently with a soft cloth. As an organic gem, Pearls are NOT suitable for ultrasonic cleaners or detergent baths.
Natural opals are a silicates which contain between 7-30% water so it is imperative that they are stored in a cool place, out of direct sunlight or heat. When exposed to harsh, hot and dry conditions opals can dry out and become “crazed” or cracked along their irridescent surface.
Opals should be cleaned by wiping down with a soft damp cloth. Opals are relatively soft (Mohs so care should be taken wearing & handling opal jewellery, especially rings & bracelets. Impact with hard surfaces may chip opal.
Pearls are NOT suitable for ultrasonic cleaners or detergent baths.
Many gems undergo various treatments to improve their strength, transparency or colour.
Treatments are totally accepted in the gem trade so long as they are stable, and not likely do deteriorate or reverse over time.
Gold and Ratio does not deal in any synthetic gems, heavily included gems such as “salt and pepper diamonds” or any gem that has been exposed to an unstable or unethical treatment.
The Gemmological Institute of America provides excellent, up-to-date and unbiased information if you like to know more about gem facts.
Silver, Gold and Platinum are all malleable metals and will dent if hit on surfaces harder than themselves. Settings may become loose if knocked or if the metal fastenings become worn down over time. Precious metals will scratch in daily wear. Scratched surfaces can be restored at any time but in doing so a very fine layer of metal is removed. We recommend you have your jewels serviced / restored one very 12 months to maintain their polished lustre or textured finish.
Never wear beaded jewellery in water, in bed or during physical exertion. Beaded necklaces may need to be re-strung every 18 months or every 12 months if worn frequently. Store chains separately, to avoid getting into a tangled mess. Be wary that fine chains may break when tugged by tiny (or adult sized) hands. You can shower in your jewellery( if you must) , but it will then require more frequent cleaning and you may risk losing something down the drain!
Please remember... fine jewellery is not indestructible, it is a luxurious art form deserving of your care and respect always.
