Let’s begin with daily wear. Are you aware that soaps, shampoos, powders and lotions can build up a lot or residue and leave a filmy build-up under and around a setting? This would reduce the brilliance of a diamond or the brightness or intensity of a colored gemstone. This can also give gold a dull appearance.

Most people enjoy outdoor activities—whether its sports or chores. However, these can also cause havoc for your jewelry. As an example, if you are an avid gardener, and like most people, you want to feel the soil and avoid wearing gardening gloves, you risk losing your rings as they could slip off your fingers. Also, dirt could be embedded within the setting and the stones could possibly get chipped. A bracelet or chain could get caught in something and could get damaged or lost

If you go to the gym, spa or even have the facilities at home—do not hot tub, sauna or swim in chlorinated pools as these elements can damage gems by wearing away at the polished finish creating a very dull surface. They can also discolor a gemstone.

Jewelry that has stones that are set with claws and/or prongs, should be regularly checked as they can wear down with time and get broken which will result with a stone breaking or falling out of the mount. A jeweler can retip the prongs. Sometimes in our daily routines and activities whether at work or home, a ring can be knocked or hit against something which can damage the claw—most of the time we are not even aware. I can tell you first hand, it happened to me—two of the claws in my engagement ring were bent sideways, when my hand accidentally hit a wall. I could hear a distinct rattling sound because the diamond was loose in the setting.

Link chains and bracelets, especially larger links can wear thin over the years, especially if worn everyday. The interconnecting links rub against each other from movement thereby thinning them out.

The earrings that you just purchased or received as a gift should have the closure cleaned with an alcohol swab—this will kill any bacteria. You do not know who tried on those earrings before you.

When putting on earrings, especially studs, most people press their index finger against the stone while pushing in the butterfly.

It is wise to put a tissue over the surface of the stone as you apply the closure since your finger leaves an impression on the stone’s surface and takes away from the brilliance, sparkle and shine of the stone.

If you have post and butterfly earrings, the butterfly should not glide on too easily, but rather should be pushed on the post. If it glides too easily, it can also slip off easily and you would lose your earrings.

Rings should have the bottom of the shanks checked, especially if they are worn everyday. Shanks can thin out and snap off your finger.

When removing your chains, try to place the chain flatly on a surface to avoid knots or kinks. Beaded necklaces should also be flatly stored since the silk strand can stretch over time. If too stretched, they could come apart.

Since cameos are prone to cracking and discoloration from age, dryness or elements, they must be carefully cared for and stored. With a soft brush, dust it. You can also rinse a cameo with warm water and pat dry.

Diamonds measure 10 on the Moh’s Scale of Hardness, but still require proper care and cleaning. A diamond’s sparkle can diminish from hygienic, grooming, household chemicals and powders. Also, the skin’s natural oils and sweat can also diminish the brilliance. Using a gentle dish washing soap with a soft brush and warm water, you can clean the surface and around the settings and then rinse. Or if you wish, you can also use a commercial jewelry cleaner.

Ladies, when applying certain sprays, i.e. perfume, hairspray, deodorants—wait for a few minutes before putting on your jewelry. As an example, if you applied perfume and then put your pearl necklace on and the perfume was not completely dry, the iridescence, luster and color of the pearl could be altered and would become dull and lifeless overtime. It is highly advised to have your pearl strand restrung every 1-2 years and to have knots between your pearls. If your stand breaks, your pearls will not be scattered all over and by having a knot in between each pearl bead, they avoid scratching against each other. It’s best to keep them clean by placing them in mild soapy water and then letting them dry on a towel. If you wear your pearls frequently, wipe them with a soft damp cloth to avoid any kind of chemical build-up.

It is advisable not to wear opal jewelry in extreme heat. Do not have it exposed to direct sun, or extremely cold weather as the opals may crack when subjected to these conditions. Opals contain water within them and if you live in a dry climate, it is best to store your opal jewelry in a plastic bag with a damp piece of fabric or cotton ball—this will prevent it from dehydrating since opals crack easily when dry. Do not clean opals with chemical jewelry cleaners since they are porous and can absorb the liquids. It’s best to use a gentle dish washing liquid, mild water and a soft toothbrush.

Corals are very porous gems and should not come in contact with any chemicals. It is also a very soft gem and should be carefully stored so it doesn’t get scratched or chipped. Coral jewelry should be cleaned with a moist soft cloth.

Turquoise is also another very porous and fragile stone which should be kept away from heat and chemicals. Since they scratch easily, store them separately in a jewelry pouch and clean with lukewarm water and soft brush.

A very, very soft gem is amber and it can get scratched very easily. Since it is a very porous stone, please apply your perfume or hairspray before putting on amber jewelry, this way it won’t be coated with a dull film. Wipe your amber jewelry with a soft cotton or flannel cloth and also store separately.

Gold jewelry should be removed when using any kind of household chemicals since they create abrasions on the metal which would minimize the gold’s luster. Gold’s biggest enemy is chlorine—stay out of chlorinated pools and hot tubs and avoid cleaning products that have chlorine in them since gold jewelry will weaken over time causing it to crack or break. Clean your jewelry with warm water and a gentle brush.

Silver jewelry is best cleaned with a soft cloth or a fine piece of felt. If silver is very dirty, try silver cleaner. Silver will discolor from chlorine. When you wear your silver jewelry it will tarnish from exposure to light, air and from physical activity (sweat). Remove it at the end of the day and clean thoroughly. Since it is a soft metal, it will scratch easily and should be stored in a soft cloth bag.

Try to keep your individual pieces of jewelry in small plastic bags—they look like mini Ziploc bags, they are available in craft shops. This will prevent your jewelry from scratching against each other.

At home care for your jewels requires minimal time and is so simple. Jewelry that you wear everyday should be cleaned on a weekly basis.

Like a doctor, you have a trusting relationship with your jeweler and should have your jewelry checked and looked after annually.

Jewelry can retain its brand new appearance as along as its cared for. By adhering to basic care and cleaning tips, your jewelry will always retain their original beauty, brilliance, shine and will last a lifetime.

Baya Gatter,
Owner
Eternal Fine Jewels – www.rubylane.com/shops/eternalfinejewels
Jewelia’s Fine Jewels – www.tias.com/stores/jfj