Few objects last, some wear out, or lose their place over time.
Jewellery is different it uniquely lives with you.Jewellery a meaningful object far beyond anything, it becoming a lasting symbol of love, celebration, and memory.Our jewellery is made of more than just beauty it’s crafted from responsibly sourced and sustainable materials, natural diamonds, lab grown diamonds, and gemstones. At Autumn and May, we believe every piece should feel personal, carrying a story that stays with you. When you know the unique qualities of these materials, and give them a little care, your jewellery will keep its sparkle and elegance as the day you received it.
Materials
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Precious MetalsRead all about Precious Metals"Metals that matter" - Precious metals like gold, platinum and silver pieces are meant to shine for generations. All precious metals are sourced through ethical supply chains that prioritise environmental responsibility and fair practices. We use responsibly sources Single Mine Origin (SMO) Gold for our Wedding Rings and Bespoke pieces as well as Recycled Silver in everyday Jewellery. SMO jewellery carries certifications that trace their journey from earth to your jewellery box, creating pieces that shine as brightly in their ethics as they do in their beauty.
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Natural DiamondsRead all about Natural Diamonds“The Diamond holds your story” - it carries your story of love, the dreams and emotions that led you to hold this piece. So it has to be special, our diamonds carry one more precious quality - peace of mind. Initiatives like the Kimberley Process, advanced traceability systems like TRACR and Canadamark, independent Diamond Certification, each makes the diamond's journey transparent from mine to your Jewellery. At Autumn and May, we've chosen supply chain partners who don't just source diamonds - they bring hope that reflects your values which make you feel proud to wear.
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Lab-Grown DiamondsRead all about Lab-grown Diamonds"A Diamond is a Diamond" - Sometimes the most beautiful things in life come from the most extraordinary human ingenuity. Your lab-grown diamonds are every bit as real as their earth-mined cousins. They're identical in every way that matters, just with a different origin story that's wonderfully different - one of innovation, precision, and conscious choice. At Autumn and May, we select lab-grown diamonds that meet the highest standards, and of course certified by leading gemological institutes. You will love to wear something genuinely stunning while making a choice that feels great and perfectly right.
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GemstonesRead all about Gemstones"Colour is everything" - The gemstone on your jewellery says something wonderful about who you are - it's your personal splash of colour in the world. They are the same brilliant stones have been capturing hearts and imaginations for centuries - now, it brings character that's unmistakably yours. We're working closely with our Gemstone cutters to make sure every gemstone has a story you can feel good about, with clearer origins and more thoughtful sourcing practices. When you choose a gemstone, you're choosing something that's not only stunning to look at, but reflects the values that matter to you.
The Metal that Matters The right metal doesn't just hold your diamond it brings out its best.
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Platinum
Shop Platinum RingsPlatinum is nature's most exclusive metal that maintains its brilliant white lustre naturally notarnishing, no fading, just enduring pure beauty.It’s incredible strength creates the most secure settings possible, whilst being naturally hypoallergenic for sensitive skin. The undeniably luxurious feel makes platinum the mostre commended and preferred choice for jewellery.
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Yellow Gold
Shop Yellow Gold RingsYellow Gold strikes the perfect balance between durability and that coveted golden radiance,bringing rich honeyed warmth to any design. This super classy metal enhances both contemporary and timeless pieces beautifully, making it perfect for lively gemstones like Rubies and Emeralds.Yellow gold continues to prove that true elegance never goes out of style.
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Rose Gold
Shop Rose Gold RingsRose Gold captures hearts with its distinctive blush tone created from a carefully crafted blend of pure gold and copper. The warm, flattering hue adds a fresh, modern sensibility whilst maintaining an inherently romantic feel. Perfect for those drawn to pieces that stand out from the crowd whilst remaining elegantly refined.
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White Gold
Shop White Gold RingsWhite gold achieves sophisticated appeal through expert alloying and lustrous rhodium coating for mirror-like brilliance. Its remarkable versatility enhances every diamond cut and complements any style beautifully. This distinctive metal combines widespread popularity with timeless elegance, making it the most popular choice.
Caring of your Jewellery
Everyday Wear & Gentle Habits
Wear your jewellery with pride and treat it with love and care as one of your valuable possessions. A few mindful steps prevent most damage before it happens.
Beauty first, jewellery last - Apply perfumes, hairsprays, cosmetics, sunscreen, and moisturizers first, then wear your jewellery as the perfect finishing touch.
Remove before water contact - Your pieces prefer to skip showers, pool parties, and hand-washing sessions. Make a habit to remove your jewellery when you are in contact with water, swimming pools, saunas, spas, or doing dishes.
Avoid risky activities - Remove jewellery during sports, household cleaning, gardening, labour-intensive work, or when handling tools and machinery.
Skip harsh chemicals - Keep away from detergents, washing-up liquids, chlorine, and any cleaning products.
Handle with care - Jewellery is delicate; dropping or knocking on hard surfaces may damage or chip your pieces.
Special finishes need extra love - Those stunning matt, satin, or plated pieces? Save them for your most special occasions to keep their unique character intact.
Cleaning & Refreshing
To retain the sheen and brilliance of your jewellery, it should always be kept clean. Different materials need different approaches.
General cleaning method - Wash with warm soapy water, rinse carefully in clean water, dry with tissue and jewellery cloth, then air dry completely.
Use a soft brush - Perfect for cleaning stone-set jewellery with warm, mildly soapy water.
Sterling silver without finishes - Can be dip cleaned with silver cleaning liquid, but rinse thoroughly and dry completely before wiping with silver cloth.
Never use silver dip on - Rhodium plated, gold plated, oxidized, or enamelled jewellery as this can damage the finish.
Professional cleaning available - We're happy to provide professional cleaning for delicate pieces like amber jewellery.
Material-Specific Care
Each material has its own needs—knowing them helps your jewellery last and maintain its natural beauty.
18K Gold - Softer than 14ct or 9ct, more vulnerable to scratches; store with similar carat weights to avoid wearing away.
White Gold - Rhodium plated for brilliant white shine; plating fades over years and requires re-coating to look bright again.
Sterling Silver - Naturally tarnishes when exposed to air and moisture; store in airtight sealed bags with desiccant, away from sunlight and heat.
Platinum - One of the hardest metals with natural white lustre; extremely hard wearing with outstanding corrosion resistance, develops natural patina that can be polished away.
Palladium - Platinum family metal, naturally silver-white, no rhodium plating needed; strong and durable like platinum.
Titanium - Very light yet strongest metal, hypoallergenic and skin-friendly; treat brushed finishes carefully to avoid scratching.
Pearls - Clean with mildly soapy warm water, air dry completely; wear frequently as natural skin oils enhance their lustrous shine.
Amber - Natural golden resin, soft and delicate; keep away from chemicals, extreme heat, and light.
Gemstones - Natural minerals vulnerable to chemicals, water, and sunlight; always check stone settings for security.
Storage & Safe Keeping
Keep pieces separate - Store individually in original boxes, plastic airtight bags, or soft fabric pouches to avoid scratches.
Chains and necklaces - Fasten clasps and lay flat, wrap in tissue paper before storing in pouches.
Snake chains need special care - Store hanging up or carefully coiled to avoid kinking; never squash in jewellery box or under heavy items.
Silver storage - Use airtight sealed bags with desiccant, store away from sunlight and heat to prevent tarnishing.
Amber storage - Keep securely in soft silk bags, away from hard objects.
Regular inspections - Check stone settings regularly to ensure stones appear secure; we provide gemstone jewellery repairs when needed.
Collections
Soak in warm soapy water for 10 minutes, gently brush with a soft toothbrush (careful around stones), rinse, and pat dry. For a proper clean, bring it to Greenwich Market - we'll do it for free. More tips in our Jewellery Care Guide.
Keep pieces separate in soft pouches or boxes (stops scratching and tangling). Store somewhere cool, dry, and dark. For silver, anti-tarnish pouches are brilliant. Never jumble everything together in one box! Useful tips can be found our Jewellery Care Guide.
Completely normal! Sterling silver naturally tarnishes. Use our Care Kit or a silver polishing cloth. Stubborn tarnish? Bring it to Greenwich Store for free professional cleaning. Top tip: Take it off before showering and store in anti-tarnish air sealed pouches.
White gold is actually yellow gold mixed with brightening metals, then rhodium-plated to get that lovely white finish. The plating wears off over time - totally normal. We'll re-plate it for £60 (or free within 12 months for engagement/wedding rings). Takes about 10 days. Book rhodium plating here.
Best not to. Chlorine, saltwater, soap, and lotions can dull the metal and damage stones. Pop it off before water activities. See our Care Tips for more.
Collections
We'd suggest taking it off before bed - stops necklaces tangling, rings snagging, and accidental scratches (to you or your partner!).
Once or twice a year is perfect. Bring it to Greenwich store for quick a check-up and advice - we'll make sure stones are secure and advise on any polishing or plating.
Absolutely! Gold, platinum, and diamonds are tough enough for daily wear. Sterling silver needs a bit more TLC (it'll tarnish faster with everyday use). Just remember to take everything off before showering, swimming, or spraying perfume.
Soak in warm soapy water for 10 minutes, then gently brush around the setting with a soft toothbrush – gets into all those sparkly little crevices. Rinse and pat dry with a soft cloth. Diamonds love being clean – they'll absolutely dazzle!
Use a travel jewellery case with separate compartments (stops tangling and scratching). Wrap delicate pieces in soft cloth. Always keep it in your hand luggage - never check precious pieces! For really special items, consider the hotel safe or honestly, leaving them safely at home. Travel light, travel worry-free.