Jewelry Care

Fine jewelry should be worn and enjoyed. A little prevention and care will go a long way in protecting its beauty and functionality. Help your jewelry become a family heirloom by treating it with consideration.

A few tips

• Regular cleanings ensure maximum sparkle. The beauty of faceted stones is greatly diminished by grime, which often collects on the pavilion facets.
• Have your jeweler professionally clean your jewelry once a year. Settings should be checked annually to be sure stones are secure in their mountings.
• Store each item of jewelry separately. This prevents metal and stones from wearing on each other.
• Consider removing your rings or wearing gloves when doing heavy manual work. Although diamond is the hardest mineral known to man, it can be chipped.
• Chlorine can cause gold to develop pits. Be sure to rinse your gold jewelry thoroughly after swimming in chlorinated water.

Cleaning your jewelry

• Soak your jewelry in warm water with a few drops of mild liquid detergent. Use a soft brush, such as a toothbrush, to remove deposits.
• A water pik may be used to flush away accumulated grime.
• A home ultrasonic can be a great help in cleaning your jewelry. It is not suitable for cleaning pearls, however, and certain other gems. Be sure to read the manufacturer’s specific suggestions.
• A jeweler’s polishing cloth can be used to restore the luster of gold, silver, or platinum, and palladium jewelry. These are typically impregnated with a light abrasive, which will help restore the shine.

Caring for your pearls

• Put your pearls on after you apply make-up and perfume products.
• Wipe them with a soft, moist cloth after wearing.
• Clean your pearls by soaking them in warm water with a few drops of mild liquid detergent. When cleaning a strand, be careful not to stretch the cord. Allow the pearls to air dry on a soft towel.
• Never use jewelry cleaning products that contain ammonia, an ultrasonic, or steam on your pearls.
• Pearl strands need to be restrung periodically. If the cord is soiled, frayed, or stretched, the pearls should be restrung.