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What you should know about the care and
cleaning of your fine Jewelry Gems and precious metals are gifts of nature, which need special care. Even though a gem may be millions of years old, once mined and worn, it is exposed to conditions and chemicals that can damage it.
Here are some guidelines on caring for your Fine Jewelry.
There
are many different types of colored gemstones, some of which require
specific care and cleaning procedures. It would be impossible to
enumerate all of them. However, there are some general care and cleaning
rules which apply to all colored gemstone jewelry.
Platinum is one of the rarest and most durable precious metals. It is resistant to tarnishing and discoloration due to chlorine and other chemicals. These factors, along with its strength and white luster, have made platinum an increasingly popular choice for jewelry, either on its own or as the setting for diamonds and other precious gemstones. However, despite its durability, platinum jewelry needs to be properly cared for.
Cultured pearls are precious jewels and should be treated as such. They're also the products of living creatures. Cultured pearls are formed when an irritant is introduced into a mollusk. The mollusk secretes a substance called nacre which covers the irritant and produces the pearl. Nacre gives pearls the rainbow of colors and luster that makes these gemstones so treasured, but its delicate nature also makes pearls particularly susceptible to damage. For this reason you should be extra careful with your cultured pearl jewelry.
With all shell and nut and bone jewelry it is advisable to avoid heat, harsh chemicals, perfumes and hairsprays.
If you need additional information, please feel free to e-mail
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| Diamonds |
Diamond jewelry is very popular. Some pieces, such as diamond engagement and wedding rings, are often worn 24 hours a day. Even though you may wear your diamond jewelry around the clock, you should give thought to its care. Diamonds are durable, but they still require proper maintenance. Diamonds can get smudged, soiled and dusty. Lotions, powders, soaps, even natural skin oils, put a film on diamonds and cut down their brilliance. Clean diamonds "glow" because the maximum amount of light can enter the stone and return in a fiery brilliance. It takes just a little care to keep them that way.
Do not wear diamond jewelry, especially rings, when
doing rough work. Even though diamond is one of the hardest materials in
nature, it can still be chipped, cracked or even broken by a sharp, sudden blow.
Chlorine can damage and
discolor the mounting on your diamond jewelry. Keep your diamond away from
chlorine bleach or other household chemicals. You should also remove your
diamond jewelry before entering a chlorinated pool or hot tub.
Clean your diamonds
regularly using a commercial jewelry cleaner, a mix of ammonia and water, or
a mild detergent. Dip the jewelry into the solution and use a soft brush to
dislodge dust or dirt from under the setting.
Avoid touching your clean diamonds with your fingers. Handle clean jewelry
by its edges.
| Karat Gold Jewelry |
Karat gold jewelry pieces make up the majority of many fine jewelry collections. Gold comes in many different styles and colors, but the care and cleaning procedure remains the same.
Remove all gold jewelry before showering or cleaning. Soap can cause a film
to form on karat gold jewelry, making it appear dull and dingy. By
preventing the formation of this film, you immediately reduce the occasions
your pieces will need to be cleaned.
To clean your jewelry at home, you'll find many commercial cleaners
available. In addition, you will find a soft chamois cloth an effective and
inexpensive way to keep your pieces lustrous and shining. Ask your jeweler
to recommend both of these items for you.
For certain gold jewelry, especially pieces that do not contain colored
gemstones, an ultrasonic cleaning machine may be appropriate. Once again,
ask your jeweler to advise you.
Be careful of chlorine. Chlorine, especially at high temperatures, can
permanently damage or discolor your gold jewelry. Do not wear gold jewelry
while using chlorine bleach or while in a pool or hot tub.
You can remove tarnish with
a jewelry cleaner, or by using soap and water mixed with a few drops of
ammonia. Carefully brush with a soft bristle brush. An old toothbrush can
also be used. After the brushing, simply rinse with lukewarm water and allow
to dry. If there is a heavy tarnish on your jewelry, consult your jeweler
for the best cleaning procedure. You should also talk to your jeweler before
attempting to clean any karat gold jewelry set with colored gemstones
because some stones require special cleaning procedures.
Grease can be removed
from karat gold jewelry by dipping the jewelry into plain rubbing alcohol.
Again, check with your jeweler about colored gemstone pieces
| Sterling Silver Jewelry |
Sterling silver, like other precious metals, can oxidize with time. But properly maintained silver jewelry improves with age and develops a lush patina. Treat your silver well, care for it properly and it will reward you with a long life and a lustrous look.
Clean your silver jewelry with a mild soap and water solution, allowing the
water to bead up, and then patting dry with a soft cloth. For more stubborn
dirt, use a jewelry cleaner designed for silver use.
Store your silver in a cool, dry place, preferably in a tarnish-preventive
bag or wrapped in a soft piece of felt or cloth. Store pieces individually
so that they don't knock together and scratch.
Do not rub silver with anything other than a polishing cloth or a fine piece
of felt. Your jeweler should be able to provide these. Tissue paper or paper
towels can cause scratches because of the fibers in these products.
Make sure your silver is not
exposed to air and light during storage, this can cause silver to tarnish.
And don't wear sterling silver in chlorinated water or when working with
household chemicals.
| Watches |
Watches need the same amount of attention as fine jewelry. Fine watches are sophisticated and precise pieces of equipment; the price often reflects the skilled workmanship that goes into a fine timepiece. In order to get the most satisfaction out of your watch, you should follow some simple care and cleaning guidelines.
No matter how handy you are, don't attempt "do-it-yourself" watch repairs.
Only an expert jeweler/watchmaker should be trusted to put your watch back
into working condition.
Give your watch a quick check on a regular basis, making sure that the strap
or bracelet is securely attached to the watch face.
A mechanical watch should be checked regularly by your jeweler/watchmaker or
an authorized dealer and serviced according to the manufacturer's
guidelines.
Wind your watch in a clockwise direction, preferably about the same time
each day. Remove the watch from your wrist when winding so as not to place
undue pressure on the stem.
Replace broken or scratched crystals immediately. Even a hairline crack can
let dust and moisture into the time-keeping mechanism, threatening its
accuracy.
Unless the degree of water-resistance is clearly specified when you purchase
your watch, do not wear it into the shower or pool, or on a moist wrist.
Have your jeweler/watchmaker or an authorized watch dealer replace the
battery in a quartz watch before it runs out. Dead batteries left in the
watch can leak or corrode, ruining the timepiece. Do not attempt to change
the battery in a watch yourself. If your watch is water-resistant, a
water-resistance test should be performed after the battery has been
replaced to ensure that water will not leak into and damage the watch.
Batteries run for about two to three years. Those in some less expensive,
multi-function digital watches have shorter lives, as little as six months.
Using extra features such as a calculator or game can shorten battery life.
Oils from your skin can build up on a watch. If your watch is
water-resistant, you can give it a quick cleaning with a mixture of warm
water and either a mild soap or a dish detergent. Dry the watch with a soft
cloth after cleaning. If your watch has a strap made out of leather or
another material, you should clean only the watch face and not the strap.
If your watch is not water-resistant, or you're not sure, do not immerse it
in water. Clean the piece with a slightly damp cloth and then dry.