Jewelry Care

 CARING for your JEWELRY
(Prevention, Cleaning, Storage)

PREVENTION is best.  Losing an expensive stone is heartbreaking but preventable if you clean your diamond ring daily and check it to be sure that no stones are loose. Examine your jewelry every time you wear it to be sure that it is not damaged.  Repair damaged jewelry immediately.  Once a year, take all your fine jewelry to your Jeweler to be inspected, repaired, and cleaned.  Apply hairspray, lotions, cosmetics, and perfumes BEFORE you put on your jewelry.  Avoid placing jewelry in areas where sprays or perfumes have been applied.  Jewelry goes on last and comes off first.  TIP - Photograph your jewelry for inheritance and insurance purposes.

CLEANING your fine jewelry doesn’t have to be laborious.  Simple dish liquid, water, and a toothbrush will take care of most jobs.  Soak for a few minutes in soapy water, brush gently with a soft toothbrush, rinse (remember to cover the drain), pat dry, or dry overnight on a soft towel if strung on silk.  Ask a Jeweler if you are uncertain about how to properly care for your costume or fine jewelry.

Ultrasonic Cleaners  Be very careful when using a sonic cleaner.  Some stones are not safe.   A partial list of stones that are generally safe are:  Amethyst, Bloodstone, Chalcedony, Chrysoberyls, Diamonds, Rubies, Sapphires, Spinel, and Topaz.   NEVER put Emeralds, Opals, Pearls, cracked or fracture filled stones into sonic cleaners.  Your Jeweler can clean these items if you are unsure.  Don’t take any chances.

Partial Gold Jewelry and Costume Jewelry.  I’m referring to gold filled, gold plated, and base metals.  Don’t soak or rub hard with cloths.  Instead, just dip it in liquid jewelry cleaner and rinse.  Vintage costume jewelry can be taken to your Jeweler for cleaning.

Chains of gold and silver can be cleaned with polishing cloths which are available at any jewelry or hardware store. If you use liquid cleaners, be sure that it is appropriate for the type of jewelry you are trying to clean, since some patinas and finishes could be damaged.

Copper darkens and ages beautifully, but if you prefer that shiny look, use appropriate liquid cleaner.  Never store copper jewelry real close to silver jewelry.

Pearls need special care.  After you wear them, gently wipe them with a soft damp cloth to remove cosmetics and body oils.  You can also wash pearls periodically with mild soap  and a soft cloth.  Gently pat dry and place on a soft towel to dry overnight.  Never wear wet pearls because their wet weight could cause unsightly silk stretching, weakening, and eventual breakage.  Store them in soft cloth or protective box.  If you wear your pearls frequently, have them RESTRUNG YEARLY.  Be sure that each pearl is knotted between beads.