Caring for Your Jewellery
Caring for Your Jewellery
Every piece from Tlysau'r Môr starts life on a Pembrokeshire beach — shaped by decades of tide and salt before it reaches your hands. A little care keeps it looking its best for years to come.
Sea Glass & Sea Pottery — What It Is and Why It Lasts
Sea glass is naturally tumbled glass — bottles, jars, and ceramics worn smooth by the sea over many decades. It is hard, stable, and not fragile in the way people often expect. Sea pottery works the same way: old ceramic fragments shaped by salt water and time.
Both materials are set by hand into sterling silver rather than cut or polished, so the piece you receive keeps the natural edges and curves the sea gave it. No two pieces are ever identical.
Is sea glass durable enough for a ring? Sea glass and sea pottery are robust everyday materials. They can, like any stone or glass in a ring, chip if knocked hard against a solid surface. With normal wear and a little common sense — take rings off before heavy manual work, sport, or gardening — they hold up well.
Gentle Cleaning
⚠️ The following cleaning guidance is provided in good faith. If you are unsure, please get in touch with Sophie before cleaning your piece.
- Rinse gently in lukewarm water to remove everyday dust or salt.
- If needed, use a very small amount of mild, unperfumed soap and a soft cloth or soft-bristled toothbrush to clean the silver setting and around the glass.
- Rinse thoroughly to remove all soap residue.
- Avoid ultrasonic cleaners, steam cleaners, and harsh jewellery dips — these are not suitable for pieces with natural sea glass or sea pottery settings.
- Avoid prolonged soaking.
Drying and Storage
- Pat dry with a soft, lint-free cloth after rinsing — do not leave wet on a hard surface.
- Store each piece separately in a small pouch or the box it arrived in to prevent scratching between pieces.
- Keep away from direct sunlight and sources of heat when storing for longer periods.
- Remove jewellery before swimming, bathing, or applying lotions, perfumes, or hairspray — these can accelerate tarnishing of the silver.
Sterling Silver Care
All Tlysau'r Môr pieces are set in solid sterling silver. Sterling silver is a natural metal that develops a gentle patina over time — many people love this lived-in quality. If you prefer a brighter finish:
- Buff lightly with a silver polishing cloth on the metal parts only, avoiding the glass or pottery.
- Wearing your silver regularly actually helps slow tarnishing — the natural oils in your skin keep it looking good.
- Store in an airtight pouch or zip-lock bag when not wearing to slow oxidation.
Handmade Pieces — Why Yours Is Unique
Because every piece is made by hand from foraged materials, small variations are part of what makes it yours:
- The texture, colour, and shape of each piece of glass or pottery is one of a kind — no two finds are the same.
- Hand-formed silver settings may vary slightly in width, texture, or finish from piece to piece.
- These differences are not flaws. They are the evidence of how something was made.
Fit, Sizing, and Adjustments
Adjustable rings: Some Tlysau'r Môr rings are adjustable. Adjust these gently and gradually — small movements at a time — to avoid stressing the setting or the wire work around the glass.
Fixed-size rings: Rings with a sea-glass or sea-pottery setting should not be resized by a jeweller after purchase. Resizing involves heating the metal, which risks cracking or releasing the glass. If you are unsure of your size before ordering, please get in touch before you buy.
Not sure of your size? Ring sizing tips are available on individual product pages, or you can contact Sophie directly for advice before ordering.
Get in Touch
If something isn't sitting right, a setting feels loose, or you just have a question about your piece — please reach out. Every piece is handmade by Sophie, and she is happy to help.