How to care for your vintage jewellery and collectables
How to care for vintage
Silver
1) Wear it often
The best way to prevent tarnish is to wear your silver often - the natural oils in your skin help polish the metal and prevent oxidation.
2) Put your jewellery on after your perfume, hairspray and lotions as these chemicals accelerate tarnish.
3) If your jewellery looks dull , use the mildest method possible.
* polish cloth : use a specialised silver polish cloth, they have built-in cleaners that are safer than liquid dips.
* mild soap and water : for stubborn grime, use lukewarm water and a few drops of phosphate - free dish soap. Use a very soft toothbrush to get into crevices.
* dry throughly, use a soft microfiber cloth to pat the piece dry, moisture is the enemy. Never leave silver to air-dry . Dont leave silver in humid rooms like the bathroom.
Storage : airtight is best : store pieces in individual acid free zip lock bags or toss a 3m anti tarnish strip into your jewellery box.
How to care for vintage
Gold
* Soak gold jewellery for 10 minutes in warm water with a few drops of mild dish soap.
* Gently clean crevices with a soft toothbrush.
* Dry with a lint free cloth.
* Avoid harsh chemicals, bleach and boiling water.
How to care for vintage
Amber
* Gently clean with a soft cloth , lightly dampened with lukewarm water.
* If necessary, use a tiny amount of mild soap in lukewarm water, ensuring the water does not foam.
* To bring back luster to vintage amber, apply a few drops of olive oil, or sweet almond oil to the surface and gently rub with a soft cloth.
* Store amber wrapped in a soft cloth, in a cool, dry, dark place. Avoid direct sunlight or rapid room temperature changes.
How to care for vintage
Jade
Caring for vintage jade involves gentle, chemical free cleaning with warm water, mild soap, and a soft cloth to maintain luster.
* Routine cleaning : Use a soft bristle brush , lukewarm water, and a very mild soap or detergent to clean dirt from carvings.
* For surface scratches or dull appearance, take to a professional for a gentle buffing and wax polishing.
* Avoid exposing jade to harsh chemicals.
* Store wrapped in a soft cloth
How to care for vintage
Brass
* Test its solid brass by using a magnate
* Clean surface with mild dish soap and warm water.
* Mix a small amount of lemon/vinegar and baking soda into a paste. Apply to the brass and let it sit for 10 minutes , then clean with warm water and dry using a soft cloth.
How to care for vintage
Pearls
* Wipe pearls with a soft cloth after wearing.
* For a deep clean use a soft cloth dampened with a mild soap.
* Never soak pearls in water.
* Keep pearls away from chemicals, abrasive cleaners and direct sunlight.
* lay pearls flat on a soft towel to air dry before storing.
* Pearls need to breathe, store them in a soft breathable material, never use plastic or air tight containers.
How to care for vintage
Amethyst
* Clean with warm water and mild soap
* You can use a soft toothbrush
* Keep amethyst away from chemicals, direct sunlight and high temperatures
* Store separately in a soft pouch
About Us
The story behind magpies treasures
Welcome to Magpies Treasures UK, Est.2025 .Where every vintage and antique piece has a tale to tell. Join David and Marie Collins on their passionate journey across the UK, unearthing history and rehoming cherished items with new families. Discover why they are dedicated to quality, trust, and the enduring magic of the past.
Proud of our brand, our logo
Uniting both our Welsh and British ancestry
David and Marie Collins, Christmas 25
Our story: a shared passion
We're David and Marie Collins, and our journey together began in 2011, culminating in our marriage in 2015. From our home in the old Victorian town of Port Talbot, (where Marie moved to from Bristol, after our wedding at Eastwood Park in Gloucester), we share an unwavering passion for discovering vintage jewellery and collectables. In the summer of 2025, we decided to set up Magpies Treasures UK, we enjoy nothing more than finding new homes for our finds, where they will be cherished for future generations to come.
Its not been an easy ride! We grappled with setting up our new online shop on Numonday, this new website and David also sells our finds on ebay, under the name daver8253. Which is where we sell most of our stock. We launched our online shop Christmas 2025 and most of our jewellery quickly sold out. So, we do need to replenish our stock, which we plan to do in the spring, over the Easter period, when the weather is better.
We will be packing up the car with a picnic and our labrador retriever, Dylan and heading out over the Prince of Wales Bridge into Maries old stomping ground in Bristol, and onto Dorset, Devon and Cornwall in search of vintage treasure at the fares and markets.
We buy whatever catches our interest, its a thrill not knowing what we will find. Every piece is part of someones past, each item has a story to tell, it is a truly exciting and very real treasure hunt.
We can't wait to share our new stock with you all very soon!.
David & Marie
"We want you to feel part of our special journey, excited by our finds, and confident in the reliability of Magpies Treasures UK"
David and Marie Collins, Founders
Treasure hunting in Devon
On the road with our helper, Dylan in Dorset
