Caring for Your Jewelry

Please try to understand that jewelry is a beautiful and delicate adornment. If taken care of properly, it could last a lifetime. Don’t forget that gold is malleable. Any strenuous activity such as cleaning, gardening, even sleeping can damage even the sturdiest piece of jewelry. The following tips will keep your jewelry looking new.

Keep your jewelry free of dirt, cosmetics, hairspray, perfume, and
Avoid salt water and harsh chemicals such as chlorine or detergents, which can harm gold and gemstones.
Remove all jewelry before bathing and swimming.
Avoid performing strenuous activities, household chores, and gardening while wearing jewelry.
Protect your gold jewelry from scratching by using pouches or a compartmentalized jewelry box.
Don’t sleep in your jewelry; it can be dangerous to both you and the jewelry.
Fasten the clasps on bracelets and necklaces when storing. This will help prevent any tangling that might occur.

Best Home Cleaning Advice

Mix hot water in a bowl with ammonia. Let jewelry sit for about one minute. Remove jewelry and while holding either with tongs or a basket, rinse under hot water on full pressure and wipe down thoroughly. Do not put your hand under the running water. It may burn. Be careful not to drop jewelry down the drain! Place a cover over the drain to prevent loss should jewelry be dropped accidentally. This method is not recommended for pearls, tanzanites, or opals. Consult your local jeweler for advice. Do not boil your jewelry and do not use toothpaste. It will leave a dull residue on your jewelry.

Care of Diamonds

Although your diamond is incredibly durable, it can still be chipped if knocked hard enough. Never wear your diamond while doing rough work. While chlorine and bleach won't harm your diamond, they can damage or discolor the mounting. Always remove your diamond jewelry before using any chemicals. Do have your ring checked and cleaned at least once a year. Store your diamond jewelry separately because diamonds can scratch other jewelry or each other.

Care of Gemstone Jewelry

You should know that natural colored gemstones are often treated to improve their appearance, using traditional jewelry industry practices. These treatments are permanent and require no special care by the purchaser. The following information will help ensure that your colored gemstone jewelry remains beautiful for years to come. Don’t expose your precious gemstone pieces to salt water or harsh chemicals, such as chlorine or detergents. These chemicals may slowly erode the finish and polish of gems. Use of hairspray, perfume and the presence of perspiration may cause jewelry to dull.

Care of More Fragile Gemstone Jewelry

Opal, emerald, and tanzanite are more fragile gems and require more care than other gemstones. Avoid cleaning solutions, perfume and hairspray while wearing them. Never use commercial cleaning solutions to clean them. Use only a soft cloth and lukewarm water. Don’t boil or use hot water for cleaning. Store you opal and emerald jewelry in cotton, never plastic. Be careful! These stones are easily cracked and scratched. Never wear your opal jewelry in very cold weather, while washing dishes, or handling frozen foods. Extreme temperature variations may cause cracking.

Care of Cultured Pearls

The surface coating or “nacre” of cultured pearls is a soft organic material, which requires special care to prevent chipping, cracking or discoloration. “Last on-first off” put your cultures pearls on after applying cosmetics, hairspray, nail polish, or perfume. Never wear cultures pearls while bathing, swimming, or while working with chemicals. All of these substances will damage the nacre coating of your cultured pearl or the silk with which they are strung. If your cultures pearls become more heavily soiled, its time for a professional cleaning and restringing. Your pearls should be professionally cleaned and restrung every year or two (more frequently if you wear them often). Ordinary wear and air pollution will weaken the silk threads on which they are strung.