Karen Millen necklace - not fit for purpose?

Nirvana9

My boyfriend bought me a Karen Millen necklace for Christmas, and I've just noticed it's gone really brown - not only all over the chain but also on the bit that cases the jewel, meaning I couldn't just get another chain.

As it was a gift I don't know how much it cost, but looking at similar products I'm guessing £50/£60.

Is it reasonable to expect that a necklace costing that amount would at least be silver plated and therefore not turn brown?

Hintza

If it is silver or silver plate it will oxidise and turn brown. You will need to clean it.

Nirvana9

Oh... I've never had this happen to a silver necklace before. I'll have a look how to clean and give that a try. Thanks

Pollycat

Is it definitely silver?

If so, you can buy a range of products to clean silver.

For a chain, a cleaning cloth may be best, maybe try Wilko.

If it isn't silver, it may be that you've sprayed perfume on the necklace and that has discoloured it.

Hintza

If nothing else to hand try an old toothbrush and tootpaste. If you do it regularly it will probably only need 30 seconds of work.

Nirvana9

Pollycat wrote: »

Is it definitely silver?

If so, you can buy a range of products to clean silver.

For a chain, a cleaning cloth may be best, maybe try Wilko.

If it isn't silver, it may be that you've sprayed perfume on the necklace and that has discoloured it.

I don't know if it's definitely silver. I'd expect it to be at that price and from a brand like Karen Millen... it doesn't look like dress jewellery, it (looked) like something that was supposed to last.

Definitely not sprayed perfume on it though; I don't wear it.

p00hsticks

Nirvana9 wrote: »

I don't know if it's definitely silver. I'd expect it to be at that price and from a brand like Karen Millen... it doesn't look like dress jewellery, it (looked) like something that was supposed to last.

Definitely not sprayed perfume on it though; I don't wear it.

As others have suggested, silver tarnishes so you need to clean it with something like this to keep it shiny

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Goddards-SILVER-CLOTH/dp/B000TAW7P2/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1393250762&sr=8-2&keywords=silver+polishing+cloth

Norma_Desmond

Nirvana9 wrote: »

I don't know if it's definitely silver. I'd expect it to be at that price and from a brand like Karen Millen... it doesn't look like dress jewellery, it (looked) like something that was supposed to last.

Definitely not sprayed perfume on it though; I don't wear it.

Sadly, just because it's 'designer' and expensive doesn't mean it's either silver or well made - probably quite the reverse.

p00hsticks

Norma_Desmond wrote: »

Sadly, just because it's 'designer' and expensive doesn't mean it's either silver or well made - probably quite the reverse.

If it's sterling silver and made in this country it should have a hallmark on it....

Pollycat

Do you have a link to something similar?

I think it's possibly unlikely that a designer necklace costing £50 - £60 will be silver - either hallmarked or marked 925 (925 parts pure silver to 1000).

If it isn't, I'd be wary of using a silver polishing cloth - like I mentioned in my post #4 and in the link by P00hsticks.

Is there any chance it can be taken back to the shop it was bought from?

Nirvana9

Nope no hallmark - I guess it's not silver then

This is pretty similar: http://www.karenmillen.com/turnlock-charm-pendant/jewellery/karenmillen/fcp-product/412ZP01498

I've had silver plated necklaces before that cost less than this one

"Is there any chance it can be taken back to the shop it was bought from?"

This is what I'm wondering - whether I have a worthy argument and any chance of a refund (my boyfriend thinks he still has the receipt)?

Surely jewellery at this price should not be cheap tat that last 2 months before going brown? As I say I've had necklaces that cost less and still look good as new....