Jewelry Care & Cleaning
Gold Jewelry
The majority of many fine jewelry collections is comprised of Karat gold jewelry. Gold comes in many different colors and styles, but the care and cleaning procedure remains the same:
Remove all gold jewelry before cleaning or showering. Soap can cause a film to form on gold jewelry, making it appear dull. By preventing the formation of this film you reduce the frequency with which your pieces will need to be cleaned. There are many commercial cleaners available to clean your jewelry at home. A soft chamois cloth is an effective and inexpensive way to keep your pieces shining. For certain gold jewelry, especially pieces that do not contain colored gemstones, an ultrasonic cleaning machine may be used. Be cautious chlorine. Chlorine can permanently discolor or damage your gold jewelry. Do not wear gold jewelry while using chlorine bleach or while in a hot tub or pool.
You can remove tarnish with jewelry cleaner. Carefully brush with a soft bristle brush. An old toothbrush can also be used. After the brushing, simply rinse with lukewarm water and allow to dry. If there is a heavy tarnish on your jewelry, consult your local jeweler for the best cleaning procedure. You should also talk to your local jeweler before attempting to clean any karat gold jewelry set with colored gemstones, because some stones require special cleaning procedures.
Sterling Silver Jewelry
The reflective shine of sterling silver jewelry and gifts is part of this metal’s ageless appeal. Properly caring for your silver collection is a sure way to keep sterling looking shiny and beautiful.
As with any fine jewelry or gift item, each piece of sterling silver should be stored individually, either in its own airtight pouch or in a separate compartment in a jewelry or storage box. If you toss your jewelry into a dresser drawer and allow pieces to rub against each other, scratches will result.
Keep your silver in a cool, dry place. Sterling silver, like other precious metals, can oxidize with time. It is a good idea to store silver in a plastic zip lock type bag. If sterling does become tarnished, it is easily restored to its original gleam by using a paste, liquid polish, or a treated polishing cloth intended for use on silver. If your sterling silver jewelry also has colored gemstones apply the cleaning solution only to the silver and do not expose it to the gemstones as they may become damaged from the silver cleaner. Or you may simply wash the jewelry or silver object with warm water, rubbing in a little soap, rinsing and then patting dry with a fine soft cloth. Avoid using tissue paper or paper towels as they can scratch silver.
The best way to prevent tarnish is to actually wear your sterling jewelry or use your silver items often. However, don’t wear sterling silver in chlorinated water or when working with household cleaners such as bleach or ammonia. Treat your silver well and it will actually develop a lush patina and will reward you with a lustrous look.
Diamond Jewelry
Diamond jewelry is very popular. Some pieces, such as diamond engagement and wedding rings, are often worn 24 hours a day. Even though you may wear your diamond jewelry around the clock, you should give thought to its care. Diamonds are durable, but they still require proper maintenance. Diamonds can get smudged, soiled and dusty. Lotions, powders, soaps and natural skin oils put a film on diamonds and cut down their brilliance. Clean diamonds glow, because the maximum amount of light can enter the stone and return in a fiery brilliance. It takes just a little care to keep them that way:
Do not wear diamond jewelry, especially rings, when doing rough work. Even though diamond is one of the hardest materials in nature, it can still be chipped by a sharp, sudden blow.
The mounting on your diamond jewelry can be discolored or damaged by chlorine. Keep your diamond away from chlorine bleach or other household chemicals. You should also remove your diamond jewelry before entering a chlorinated pool or hot tub.
Clean your diamonds regularly using a commercial jewelry cleaner or a mild detergent. Dip the jewelry into the solution and use a soft brush to dislodge dust or dirt from under the setting. Always thoroughly rinse and dry your jewelry after cleaning and before storage.
Avoid touching your clean diamonds with your fingers. Handle clean jewelry by its edges.
Colored Gemstones
There are many different types of colored gemstones, some of which require specific care and cleaning. It would be impossible to list all of them here. However, there are some general care and cleaning rules that apply to all colored gemstone jewelry:
After wearing, wipe your precious gemstone jewelry thoroughly with a clean, soft, slightly damp cloth. This will enhance the luster of the gemstones and ensure that your jewelry is clean before storage. Store gemstone pieces individually in soft pouches. Do not expose your precious gemstone pieces to saltwater or harsh chemicals, such as chlorine or detergents. These chemicals may slowly erode the finish and polish of gemstones.
Hair spray, perfume and perspiration may cause jewelry to become dull. Apply all cosmetics, perfumes and colognes before putting on colored gemstone jewelry. Make sure to wipe your gemstones after wear to remove any chemicals, oils or perspiration. Do not subject gemstone jewelry to sudden temperature changes.
If you have an active lifestyle, take extra precautions with some types of gemstone jewelry. Be extra careful with ultrasonic cleaners. Some gemstones are fragile and can be damaged by ultrasonic cleaners. Almost all colored stone jewelry can be safely cleaned using a mild soap and water solution and a soft brush. Always thoroughly rinse and dry your jewelry after cleaning and before storage.
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