Care Of Jewelry
Dust, pollution and daily wear, all conspire to cloud the brilliance of a gemstone and dull the surface of precious metals. In order to enjoy the brilliance of jewelry longer, we suggest the following care:
- always store jewelry in a fabric lined jewelry box to avoid scratches
- always remove jewelry when applying scent and lotions
Gold
Containing no oxides, gold is the only precious metal that will not tarnish. However, gold jewellery should be cleaned regularly in order to maintain its beauty and patina. A soft, lint free cloth is an effective way to keep gold jewelry looking its best.
As a relatively delicate material, gold is particularly susceptible to damage from chlorine. Chlorine can permanently damage or discolor gold jewelry. For that reason, one should avoid wearing gold jewelry when using chlorine or bleach, or while in a pool or hot tub.
Silver
As with most precious metals, 925 silver or sterling silver tarnishes; having said that, it is less likely to happen as quickly if regularly worn.
Silver jewelry can be cleaned easily in warm soapy water (use a mild soap), ensuring that it is rinsed thoroughly and dried before storing. If you wish to try it, only dab the jewelry with a soft cloth to avoid any scratching. Like gold, silver is susceptible to damage by chlorine, and one should avoid wearing silver jewelry when using chlorine or bleach.
Gemstones and diamonds
The build-up of hand cream, finger prints and general dirt is common and can easily be cleaned in warm water, a touch of mild detergent and a soft cloth. Many gemstones are also susceptible to damage by chemicals, water and even sunlight, where prolonged exposure to the latter may cause them to become paler. Examples include amethyst, aquamarine, citrine, topaz, rose and smoky quartz. Some gemstones such as opal, pearl and turquoise are fairly porous and should not be immersed in water for too long.
While diamonds are extremely hard, they can still suffer chips and fractures from sharp blows. It is possible to scratch a diamond with a diamond, therefore, care should be taken when wearing and storing diamond jewelry. Diamonds may be cleaned with warm soapy liquid and a soft toothbrush, rinsing the stone and setting afterwards to ensure no soapy residue.
Pearls
As an organic material, pearls are much softer than most other gemstones and can be easily scratched. However, they react well to the natural oils of skin. Wearing them is the best way to maintain their lustre. Make-up and scent should be applied prior to putting on pearl jewellery. After being worn, pearls should be wiped with a soft cloth and occasionally with mild soapy water. Please allow the pearls to dry before putting them away.
Pearl necklaces require to be re-strung every few years; to prevent abrasion, most jewelers knot pearls on silk thread which wears in time.
Please avoid storing pearl jewelry with other jewelry as they can easily be scratched when metal or gemstones rub against them. Chemical cleaners, especially those containing ammonia and bleach, may destroy the luster. Furthermore, exposure to excessive heat may dry out the pearls and result in cracks.