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How to Clean Your Jewelry
Your jewelry is a precious possession that is designed to
last a lifetime. Although gemstones are among the most durable
of substances, they are not indestructible and some minimal
care will keep them looking their best.
Tips for general care of your diamond ring:
- Don't
wear it while you are doing rough work. A diamond can be
chipped or cracked by a hard blow, and prongs can be bent
or broken from excessive force.
- Don't let your diamond
come into contact with harsh chemicals such as chlorine
bleach or cleaning detergent. They can damage and discolor
the mounting.
- Don't jumble your
diamond pieces together in a jewelry box, because diamonds
can scratch other jewelry and even scratch each other.
Instead, try to keep them in separate compartments or
store them in individual pouches.
- Don't frequently touch
the surface of the stone. Skin oil can cause a buildup
on their surfaces, which greatly reduces brilliance and
sparkle.
- Do
bring your ring in twice a year to have it thoroughly checked.
Over time, settings can loosen and prongs can wear down.
If you ever feel or hear the stone moving in the setting
it is a warning that the prongs or bezel need tightening.
Failure to take care of this may result in loss or damage.
- Don't
take off rings and lay them near the sink unless you
are sure the drain
is closed or you have a protective screen to cover the
drain hole. Also, never wrap jewelry in facial tissue,
which might later be accidentally tossed in the trash
- Do remove jewelry
before bathing. Soap can cause a film to form, making
jewelry appear dull. By preventing the formation of this
film, you immediately reduce the amount of cleanings
your jewelry will need. Lotions, powders, and soaps all
can cut down on the brilliance of your diamond. Clean
diamonds sparkle and shine because the maximum amount
of light can enter and refract in a fiery brilliance.
It takes just a little care to keep them that way.
Tips for general care of your pearl jewelry:
- Perspiration,
cosmetics, and perfume can damage pearls. Therefore, they
should be cleaned by gently rubbing with a damp cloth.
A brush should not be used because it could scratch the
surface of the pearl. Take care not to get them wet, because
water could get into the drill hole and cause the pearl
to discolor. Also, if the silk thread becomes overly wet,
the dampness can cause deterioration of the string. Restring
your pearls periodically. If they are worn frequently,
once a year is recommended. Pearls should always be strung
with knots tied in the space separating each pearl to prevent
them from rubbing against each other or from scattering
in the event the string would break.
Tips for general care of your precious metals:
- Almost every gemstone
is much harder than the metal it is set in. Signs of
wear, including scratches, will inevitably appear in
all precious metals, even in platinum. We can polish
these out for you and you will love the way the jewelry
shines up!
- Be sure to remove rings when applying makeup, or using
cleansers. The contaminants can get trapped under the ring
causing irritation or dermatitis.
- As with other precious metals, sterling silver will oxidize
with time. This means it turns black when affected by oxygen
and light. Polishing with a soft cloth can remove this
tarnish. However, don't rub silver with anything other
than a soft cloth or felt. Harsher fabrics can cause scratches
in the silver because of their fibers.
- Platinum is strong, rare, and pure. It is also hypoallergenic,
and it's resistant to tarnishing. One of the reasons why
platinum is more expensive than gold is because it is more
difficult and more expensive to refine and mine. It is
also approximately double the weight of gold.
Tips on how to clean your jewelry:
- Do not use toothpaste
to clean any of your jewelry, as the abrasives can damage
softer gems and metals.
- The world of jewelry is a big one, and there are some
items that you should not attempt to clean at all. Those
would include jewelry set with scarabs, jewelry with foil-backed
stones, jewelry where the stone is glued to the mounting,
and organic gems like opal, coral and amber. These gems
are soft and porous and may absorb chemicals, even soap,
and they may build up inside the stone and discolor it.
- Opaque gemstones like lapis lazuli, turquoise, and malachite,
require special care. Never use ammonia or any other chemical
solution. These gem materials should just be wiped clean
gently with a damp soft cloth.
- Most jewelers use
an ultrasonic cleanser to clean jewelry. These cleansers
send ultrasonic waves through a cleaning solution to
loosen and remove dirt. If you happen to own one at home,
exercise caution and think twice before putting gems
in it. The vibrations and heat of the ultrasonic can
damage some temperature sensitive gemstones such as emerald,
tanzanite, or peridot. Diamonds, rubies, and sapphires
will be fine but many other gems may not be: when it
doubt, leave it out. Single crystal gems like diamonds,
rubies, and sapphires can be cleaned with a mixture of
soap, water, and ammonia. This will remove all film and
dirt and will restore sparkle and brilliance. After soaking
in the cleaning solution use an old toothbrush to scrub
around and under the stone. Rinse under water and pat
dry.
- Replace broken or
scratched watch crystals immediately. Even a hairline
crack can let moisture into the mechanism, threatening
its accuracy.
If
you have any questions about the care of your jewelry please
let us know. After all, your jewelry is an intimate expression
of your personality and a sentimental reminder of important
occasions. Your jewelry should be worn and enjoyed! |
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