Frequently Asked Questions

Sterling silver is a high-quality precious
metal made from 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals, usually copper. The
added metal makes sterling silver stronger and more durable, making it suitable for everyday jewellery.

Sterling silver is one of the most popular jewellery materials because it is timeless, versatile and offers excellent value. At Blackbird, many of our sterling silver pieces are also available with 18ct gold plating if you love the look of gold.

Yes. Sterling silver is considered a premium jewellery material and is used by jewellery designers around the world.

It is durable enough for everyday wear when cared for properly and, unlike fashion jewellery, it can often be professionally cleaned, polished and repaired. Sterling silver is a beautiful choice if you’re looking for jewellery that will last for years.

Yes, sterling silver naturally tarnishes over time. This is a normal reaction when the silver comes into contact with oxygen, moisture and everyday chemicals.

The good news is that tarnish is only on the surface and can usually be removed with a silver polishing cloth or a specialist silver cleaner. With regular wear and proper storage, sterling silver can remain beautiful for many years.

The easiest way to clean sterling silver jewellery is with a soft silver polishing cloth.

If your jewellery needs a deeper clean, use warm water with a small amount of mild washing-up liquid, gently clean with a soft cloth, rinse thoroughly and dry completely.

When you’re not wearing your jewellery, store it in a dry jewellery box or pouch to help slow down tarnishing.

Gold plated jewellery requires a little extra care to keep it looking its best.

We recommend removing it before showering, swimming, exercising or leeping. Avoid direct contact with perfumes, fake tan, moisturisers and leaning products, as these can affect the gold plating over time.

When you’re not wearing your jewellery, tore it in a soft pouch or jewellery box to help protect the finish.

No. We do not recommend wearing gold plated jewellery in water.

Regular exposure to water, swimming pools, the sea and even frequent showering can cause the gold plating to wear more quickly. To keep your jewellery looking beautiful for as long as possible, always remove it before getting it wet.

Yes, you can, but it does require a little extra care.

Daily wear will naturally cause the gold plating to fade more quickly than occasional wear, especially if it comes into contact with water, perfumes, skincare products or sweat.

If you’re looking for jewellery to wear every day for many years, we recommend choosing 9ct gold. If you love keeping up with trends or changing your jewellery regularly, gold plated jewellery is a fantastic option.

Gold plated jewellery can naturally fade or wear over time, particularly if it is worn every day or exposed to water, perfumes, lotions or cleaning products.

With the right care, your jewellery will stay beautiful for much longer. We recommend removing it before showering, swimming or exercising, avoiding direct contact with perfumes and skincare products, and storing it in a jewellery box or pouch when not being worn.

Many of our gold plated pieces can also be professionally re-plated to give them a fresh new finish when needed.

The main difference is what the jewellery is made from.

9ct gold jewellery is made from solid gold alloy, meaning the gold runs all the way through the piece. It is designed to last for many years and can be worn every day. It won’t wear away over time and can be professionally polished and repaired if needed.

Gold plated jewellery has a base metal, such as sterling silver or brass, with a layer of gold applied to the surface. It gives the look of solid gold at a more affordable price but requires a little more care to keep it looking its best.

If you’re looking for a piece to wear every day for years to come, 9ct gold is the better investment. If you’re looking for an affordable way to enjoy the look of gold, gold plated jewellery is a fantastic choice.

Although they look similar, gold filled jewellery contains much more gold than gold plated jewellery.

Gold plated jewellery has a thin layer of gold applied to the surface of a base metal.

Gold filled jewellery has a much thicker layer of real gold that is permanently bonded to the base metal. This makes it significantly more durable and resistant to everyday wear than standard gold plating.

Gold filled jewellery is a great option if you want something that offers the appearance of solid gold with excellent durability, without the price tag of solid gold.

Absolutely, 9ct gold is one of the most popular choices for everyday jewellery because it is durable, long-lasting and made to be enjoyed every day.

Whether you’re choosing a necklace, bracelet, ring or earrings, 9ct gold is an excellent investment that can be worn for years and even passed down through generations with the proper care.

The main difference is the amount of pure gold they contain.

9ct gold contains 37.5% pure gold, making it stronger, more durable and ideal for everyday wear.

18ct gold contains 75% pure gold, giving it a richer yellow colour and a higher value. Because it contains more pure gold, it is also softer and can be more prone to scratches.

Both are excellent choices, so the right one depends on your budget, style and how you plan to wear your jewellery.

9ct gold is highly resistant to tarnishing and is designed to last for many years.

Like all jewellery, it may lose some of its shine over time due to everyday wear, but this can usually be restored with professional cleaning or polishing.

With the proper care, 9ct gold jewellery will remain beautiful for generations, making it an excellent choice for everyday wear and special occasions alike.

Our standard Positivity Bracelets are not customisable and are available in a carefully selected range of meaningful words and messages.

However, we do offer custom Positivity Bracelets for larger orders of 30 pieces or more. These can be personalised with your own message, making them ideal for businesses, schools, clubs, charities, events or special occasions.

Please allow approximately 5–6 weeks for custom orders.

If you’d like to discuss a personalised order, we’d love to hear from you.

Discover Positivity Bracelets

• Registered Post (Ireland): €5

• Free registered shipping on Irish orders over €75.

• Express shipping: €10.

• For International shipping rates and more information please see our Shipping & Returns Page.

Returns are accepted within 14 days of
receiving your order, provided the item is unused, unworn and in its original
Blackbird packaging.

For more information please see our Shipping & Returns Page.

Yes. If your jewellery was purchased from Blackbird, simply return it to our store and we’ll arrange the repair for you.

Depending on the brand and the type of repair required, your jewellery will either be returned to the original supplier or sent to our trusted goldsmith.

The cost of a repair will depend on the work involved and how long you’ve owned the piece. If additional gold or silver is required, or if the repair involves soldering or replacement parts, there will be a charge. We’ll assess the jewellery and provide you with a quote before any repair work is carried out.

If you have any questions, our team will be happy to advise.