Jewellery Care Guide
Although essential, heat and light call for prudence. Protect your eyes, skin, and property; follow fire safety precautions; and promote environmental awareness. Safety and sustainability must be balanced.
Protect your jewelry by keeping it away from chemicals. Chemical exposure can damage metals, harm gemstones, weaken jewelry components, and dull its luster. Remove jewelry when using cleaning products, avoid pools and hot tubs, apply cosmetics before wearing, and store it properly in a clean, dry place. Regular maintenance is key to preserving its beauty.
Treated gems, which are gemstones that have undergone various enhancements to improve their appearance or durability, often require special care to maintain their beauty and value. Here are some tips for giving treated gems the special care they deserve
While you can purchase a professional ultrasonic cleaner for $150 or less, you should be aware that not all gems and jewelry can be safely cleaned in it.
Ultrasonic cleaners should not be used to clean:
→ Gemstones with surface-reaching breaks that have been filled with a substance such as oil, resin or a glass-like material.
→ Organic gem materials such as pearls, coral, ivory, or amber Gems that have been coated with a non-permanent substance like plastic or wax.
→ Some heat-treated gemstones.
→ Gems that are susceptible to heat and temperature changes whether they are treated or not. Some of these gems include tanzanite, feldspar (sunstone and moonstone), fluorite, iolite, kunzite, lapis lazuli, malachite, opal, topaz, turquoise, zircon and others.
What’s more, the vibration generated by the machine can sometimes shake gems loose or chip gems that are set with their girdles touching.
This type of cleaning is best left to jewelry professionals who know about different gem materials and understand when and how to use the ultrasonic cleaner safely.
Most colored gems can be cleaned with warm water, mild dish soap (no detergents) and a soft brush. A pulsed-water dental cleaning appliance and a soft, lint-free cloth can also be used. Be sure to rinse your jewelry in a glass of water to remove cleaning solutions since you risk losing loose stones – or even an entire piece of jewelry - if you rinse directly in the sink.
Soft gems, such as pearls, on the other hand, can easily scratch. Use a new, clean makeup brush and warm, soapy water to softly clean them. Lay a strand of pearls on a towel to dry. The wet silk thread can stretch − and attract dirt − so don’t touch your strand until it is completely dry. Pearls worn often should be restrung once a year.
Proper jewelry storage is often overlooked. Jewelry should never be tossed into a drawer or on top of a dresser − that’s asking for scratches and damaged gems.
Most jewelry pieces come in a box or pouch from the store, which is a perfect place to keep them. Sterling silver, for example, should be kept in an anti-tarnish bag or cloth. Jewelry boxes that feature individually padded slots for rings and posts for hanging necklaces and bracelets are also ideal.
Pearls and opals draw moisture from the air, so storing your opal or pearl jewelry in a dry area, such as a safe deposit box, can sometimes do more harm than good.
When traveling, protect your jewelry pieces from scratches or other impact damage by padding it in a separate box or case.
Many jewelry stores offer free check-up or professional cleaning at scheduled intervals: Jewelry should be checked every six months and cleaned frequently. Look for a jeweler with professional training and a good reputation – asking friends or relatives for recommendations is a good place to start. GIA’s Retailer Lookupcan help locate a jeweler in your area who has GIA trained associates on staff.
