Care of Jewelry and Gemstones

Taking time to clean your jewelry keeps it looking its finest and increases your pride when wearing it. Many jewelry cleaning solutions, steam, and ultrasonic cleaners will cause irreparable damage to many gemstones. After cleaning, the stones may have lost their luster. Hot soapy water and a soft brush ( makeup brush) can be used to clean gemstones. Dry the stones with a soft towel (cotton) not a paper towel or tissue. Rub stones with a soft cotton cloth to remove fingerprints and keep them shiny.

Soap and water will also keep your silver looking good. Chlorine, salt water, suntan lotion, hair spray, perfume, sweat(physical activities), dirt buildup (never taking jewelry off), chemically treated pools, whirlpools, exposure to air, and household cleaners that contain bleach will cause discoloration of silver. Dips will remove the oxidized antique finish in silver designs and may damage stones. Polish your silver pieces regularly with a gentle liquid paste to remove tarnish. A polishing cloth may be used.

The rules for silver also apply to gold or gold coated jewelry. Avoid rubbing abrasive cleaners or silver polishing cloths on the stones. To bring back sparkle to faceted stones, wash with warm water, mild detergent and a very soft toothbrush. Brush the inside and back of the setting. Rinse well. Soft gemstones as lapis, malachite, coral, turquoise should be cleaned carefully with mild soap. Avoid using cleaners as ammonia since they will remove sealers or coatings on the stones and cause irreparable damage. Try to wipe your jewelry pieces with a soft damp cotton cloth after wearing.

Pearls should be cleaned with mild soap, warm water and a soft cotton cloth.

Swarovski crystal beads should be washed by hand in lukewarm water with a mild detergent. Rinse well, dry with a soft lint free cloth. Never use abrasive or corrosive cleaners or glass or window cleaning solutions since they cause streaking.

Never wear your jewelry to bed, to the gym, or swimming. Exercising, swimming, washing dishes or housework will expose your jewelry to grease, sweat and perspiration which contain minerals and chemicals that will dull the stones and the metal. Pool and sea water, hair spray, perfume, deoderant, household cleansers, cosmetics, tap and well water, and chlorine all contain chemicals that will damage your jewelry. Put your jewelry on after applying your makeup. Be sure to shower after going swimming to remove the cholrine from your skin before wearing your jewelry.

The more you wear pearls, the more beautiful they are. Pearls must be kept free of perfume, body oils, dirt, cosmetics, perspiration, household cleaners and hairspray. Wipe your pearls frequently with a soft damp cloth to preserve their lustre

To avoid leaving fingerprints on Swarovski crystal beads, handle with cotton gloves.

Proper jewelry storage is often overlooked. Never toss jewelry into a drawer or on top of a dresser where it can be easily scratched or stones fractured or chipped. Jewelry should be stored in a cool dry place. The box or pouch it came in is a perfect place to store. A zip lock bag will prevent tarnishing of metals and keep the metals and stones from being scratched. Prolonged exposure to air will cause silver to tarnish. Place a closed zip lock bag in a box to ensure stones do not scratch each other. Do not store jewelry in sunlight or heat. Soft pouches can be used to store jewelry and the pouches placed in a box to keep separated from other pieces of jewelry. When traveling, wrap pieces with padding to prevent scratches on metal or stones and chipping of the stones.

Pearls and opals are damaged by extreme dryness and abrasive cleaners or cloths. Pearls and opals should not be kept in a safety deposit box where they cannot get moisture from the air. Keep pearls separate from other jewelry to prevent scratching. Store pearls and opals in their own pouch or box out of contact with other jewelry.

Swarovski bead jewelry should be stored in individual pouches to prevent scratching.