It is important to understand some key information regarding everyday care and maintenance of jewelry pieces. Gemstones vary in softness, chemical composition and structure. One mistake regarding a certain cleaning agent or wrong storage step could cause damage to some of the most beloved pieces in your collection. Safeguard your jewelry with these tips:
Clean it!
In almost all cases it is safest to rely on simple lukewarm dish soap, water, and a clean, soft cloth to clean most jewelry pieces. This could not be truer than with pearls. Substances like hairspray, makeup, and even perfume can have an adverse effect on the true color of the pearl. It is best to use lukewarm water and dish soap with a soft, clean cloth to gently wipe down pearls after wearing. Do not put the whole necklace directly into the water as it could damage the threading. Make sure you leave pearl jewelry that is threaded out to dry thoroughly after cleaning.
Other gemstones such as emeralds and tanzanite are not as porous as pearls, but they do require similar cleaning. Dish soap and lukewarm water are also recommended for emeralds and tanzanite. Let the stones soak in the soap and water mixture for roughly ten to fifteen minutes and proceed to use a very soft toothbrush to gently remove any dirt, lotion, or other impurities from the stone and mounting. Do not use steam cleaners or ultrasonic cleaners with softer stones as there is a chance to induce cleavage or fracturing. When in doubt, contact a reputable jeweler with questions regarding the softness of your gemstone piece.
Diamonds, sapphires, and rubies are undoubtedly “tougher” gemstones ranging in the 9-10 on the Mohs hardness scale. This means that you can use water and dish soap with a soft brush, but you can also utilize ultrasonic cleaners and steam cleaners. Ultrasonic cleaners produce millions of tiny bubbles using soundwaves to scrub off dirt and debris, whereas steamers utilize high steam pressure instead. As diamonds are the toughest gemstone, they are almost always impervious to both methods. Sapphires and rubies, although comparably tough, if noticeably and deeply fractured, should be handled with more care and hot temperatures should be avoided.
Polish it!
It is also important from time to time to polish the metal alloy in your jewelry piece. Gold and silver tend to tarnish over time when exposed to air. This is due to an oxidation process that can easily be buffed to shiny brilliance all over again with a jeweler’s cloth and designated gold and silver polishes. Be mindful that you should be very careful with porous gemstones like pearls and avoid lotion polishes altogether. Jewelry gemstones shine even more brightly when accompanied by a properly polished setting or necklace!
Storing your jewelry
Packing and storing jewelry correctly between wear is just as essential as cleaning and polishing it. Did you know that pearls can and will absorb dyes from certain fabrics? They can also discolor with too much exposure to the sun. When storing pearl jewelry pieces, choose a velvet or satin lined jewelry box or non-abrasive chamois pouch. This will protect the pearls and keep them away from harder substances that could scratch or tangle with the pearls.
When considering how to store softer gemstones like tanzanite and emeralds, it is always best to wrap the pieces separately in cloth. This prevents those stones from accidentally rubbing against harder gemstones or metal alloys that can scratch and damage when in close contact. Consider small velvet pouches or bits of square cloth or tissue to separate your jewelry pieces with softer gemstones.
Harder gemstones like diamonds, sapphires, and rubies still require proper storage. Although diamonds are known to be one of the toughest materials on earth, some forget that gold, silver, and other alloys are not. Accidental bending of prongs in settings due to haphazard storage can actual cause the loss of a gemstone; consider individual jewelry boxes or larger ones with individual slots or compartments. This will keep the pieces separated and more secure than simply placing all your jewelry together in one unit.
Ultimately, clean, polish, and store your jewelry knowing that maintenance is necessary to preserve the beauty and lasting allure of your hand-selected pieces. Javeri Jewelers offers free jewelry cleaning and inspection, even if the item is not purchased there. Take advantage of this offer and let a professional guide you through proper cleaning and storage.
Clean it!
In almost all cases it is safest to rely on simple lukewarm dish soap, water, and a clean, soft cloth to clean most jewelry pieces. This could not be truer than with pearls. Substances like hairspray, makeup, and even perfume can have an adverse effect on the true color of the pearl. It is best to use lukewarm water and dish soap with a soft, clean cloth to gently wipe down pearls after wearing. Do not put the whole necklace directly into the water as it could damage the threading. Make sure you leave pearl jewelry that is threaded out to dry thoroughly after cleaning.
Other gemstones such as emeralds and tanzanite are not as porous as pearls, but they do require similar cleaning. Dish soap and lukewarm water are also recommended for emeralds and tanzanite. Let the stones soak in the soap and water mixture for roughly ten to fifteen minutes and proceed to use a very soft toothbrush to gently remove any dirt, lotion, or other impurities from the stone and mounting. Do not use steam cleaners or ultrasonic cleaners with softer stones as there is a chance to induce cleavage or fracturing. When in doubt, contact a reputable jeweler with questions regarding the softness of your gemstone piece.
Diamonds, sapphires, and rubies are undoubtedly “tougher” gemstones ranging in the 9-10 on the Mohs hardness scale. This means that you can use water and dish soap with a soft brush, but you can also utilize ultrasonic cleaners and steam cleaners. Ultrasonic cleaners produce millions of tiny bubbles using soundwaves to scrub off dirt and debris, whereas steamers utilize high steam pressure instead. As diamonds are the toughest gemstone, they are almost always impervious to both methods. Sapphires and rubies, although comparably tough, if noticeably and deeply fractured, should be handled with more care and hot temperatures should be avoided.
Polish it!
It is also important from time to time to polish the metal alloy in your jewelry piece. Gold and silver tend to tarnish over time when exposed to air. This is due to an oxidation process that can easily be buffed to shiny brilliance all over again with a jeweler’s cloth and designated gold and silver polishes. Be mindful that you should be very careful with porous gemstones like pearls and avoid lotion polishes altogether. Jewelry gemstones shine even more brightly when accompanied by a properly polished setting or necklace!
Storing your jewelry
Packing and storing jewelry correctly between wear is just as essential as cleaning and polishing it. Did you know that pearls can and will absorb dyes from certain fabrics? They can also discolor with too much exposure to the sun. When storing pearl jewelry pieces, choose a velvet or satin lined jewelry box or non-abrasive chamois pouch. This will protect the pearls and keep them away from harder substances that could scratch or tangle with the pearls.
When considering how to store softer gemstones like tanzanite and emeralds, it is always best to wrap the pieces separately in cloth. This prevents those stones from accidentally rubbing against harder gemstones or metal alloys that can scratch and damage when in close contact. Consider small velvet pouches or bits of square cloth or tissue to separate your jewelry pieces with softer gemstones.
Harder gemstones like diamonds, sapphires, and rubies still require proper storage. Although diamonds are known to be one of the toughest materials on earth, some forget that gold, silver, and other alloys are not. Accidental bending of prongs in settings due to haphazard storage can actual cause the loss of a gemstone; consider individual jewelry boxes or larger ones with individual slots or compartments. This will keep the pieces separated and more secure than simply placing all your jewelry together in one unit.
Ultimately, clean, polish, and store your jewelry knowing that maintenance is necessary to preserve the beauty and lasting allure of your hand-selected pieces. Javeri Jewelers offers free jewelry cleaning and inspection, even if the item is not purchased there. Take advantage of this offer and let a professional guide you through proper cleaning and storage.