How to Care for Your Jewelry

One of the questions we are often asked is, "How do I clean my jewelry?"   Proper cleaning and general care are important to ensure that your precious possessions last as long as they should and look as beautiful as they did when you made your purchase. The following are a few basic guidelines and tips for the cleaning and care of your jewelry:

All jewelry should be kept in a safe place.  A fabric lined jewelry box with separate compartments will keep your jewelry from scratching each other. Don’t jumble them up together in a little bag when you travel either. Wrap each piece with tissue or place in individual plastic bags before putting them into your case. 

Your jewelry can be very sensitive to the elements you use daily.  Lotions, soaps, makeup, hairspray, etc., can leave a residue on all your jewelry pieces. The film will make your gemstones and your gold look dull.  In some instances, the products can actually damage your jewelry. It is best to leave your jewelry off while you are using any such products.

DIAMONDS
Since your diamond jewelry is likely your most valuable, special precautions should be taken to ensure their safety. Have your diamond jewelry checked every six months for loose prongs and wear of mountings. Diamonds can chip. Don’t wear your diamond rings when you are doing rough work. Be especially careful around metal objects like the laundry machine, filing cabinets, shopping carts, exercise equipment, and weights.

It is very important that the maximum amount of light can enter into your diamond so that it can return the maximum amount of brilliance. Lotions, soaps, and natural skin oils coat the diamonds and minimize their brilliance. We recommend you soak your diamond jewelry in warm water with a mild detergent or in cold water and ammonia. Scrub them, especially the underside, with a soft toothbrush and allow them to air dry.  (For more information see Secrets to Keeping Your Diamond Sparkling)

COLORED GEMSTONES
There are many different types of colored gemstones, and they do not all require the same type of care. It is best to ask us about the specific gemstone you want to clean. It is always safe, however, to wipe your gemstone with a clean, soft, damp cloth. Be careful not to expose it to any harsh chemicals, such as chlorine, hairspray or perfume.

GOLD JEWELRY
Your gold jewelry can be cleaned with the same solution and in the same manner you clean your diamond jewelry. A chamois cloth is also an effective way to give your gold a lustrous shine. Chlorine can have a negative effect on gold over time so minimize its exposure to the swimming pool and hot tub. We also recommend taking just a few extra moments to take your necklace off before you go to bed. Chains can easily stretch out and then are more likely to break or kink.

PEARLS
Ordinary wear of your pearl necklaces and bracelets causes the threads of your pearl jewelry to stretch and weaken. They need to be restrung if the thread looks soiled or the pearls are loose between the knots.

It is critical to avoid getting anything on your pearls. The luster will be eaten away by the chemicals. If you feel cleaning is necessary, do not use chemicals or abrasives. Wash them with mild soap and water and allow them to dry flat for at least a week. Hanging strands of pearls stretches the thread.

WATCHES
As tempting as it sometimes seems, do not attempt to fix your own watch. It is extremely easy for dust particles to find their way into a watch and cause friction of the watch's moving parts. It is also easy to lose one of its many tiny parts. We will be happy to take care of your watch repairs. Battery changes can usually be done as you wait.