Regular care, cleaning and maintenance/repair of your fine jewelry and watches will ensure years of enjoyment and satisfaction.
STORAGE
Protect your jewelry when it is not being worn by separating it from other jewelry; using a separate compartment in your jewelry box. Gems and gem quality items, improperly stored, can damage each other.
WEAR & TEAR
Rings, regularly worn, need periodic cleaning to remove the film caused by cosmetics, soap, and skin oil that may cloud the ring’s beauty. Diamonds, for example, have an affinity for grease and literally collect oils in dish water. Remove rings before routine household chores and clean rings regularly. Activity which might subject a gemstone to sharp blows-such as gardening, working with hand tools, or playing sports-may also damage a gemstone. Diamonds are also susceptible to damage from an impact which might cause them to chip or crack.
COLORED GEMSTONES AND PEARLS
A very few colored gemstones, such as Kunzite, may fade when worn in sunlight or in a tanning booth. Opals are a very porous and fragile gemstone requiring careful storage and cleaning. Tanzanite is a very soft gemstone that should be
worn with care and separate from scratching up against other jewelry. Pearls are also very soft and require wearing with care and not soaking in cleaner for more than a minute or so.
CHEMICALS
Put jewelry on after you apply hair spray or cosmetics. Chemicals present in either may cause damage, especially to cultured pearls. Wipe your pearls with a soft chamois or flannel cloth after each wearing to remove your skin’s oils and salts. Chlorine: Remove your jewelry before getting in a chlorinated pool or hot tub. Gold is a porous metal that has long term durability but tends to “soak up” chemicals that make up that durability at the molecular level. Although this applies primarily to gold jewelry, unless you know the exact composition of your jewelry its still good practice to remove it. Certain dish washing liquids are also discouraged because of harsh chemicals contained in them.
CLEANING
In most cases, routine home care of your fine jewelry supplemented with periodic care by your trusted jeweler means a lifetime of pleasurable wear. Regular cleaning of your gemstones keeps them shining and beautiful.
SOAP AND WATER
A mild soap and water solution used with a soft brush is effective for many home jewelry care needs. Even the mild chemicals of commercial jewelry cleaning products may damage certain gems. Although soap and water is the best choice for most gems and jewelry, be careful with chemicals and anything other than soap and water with amber, coral, emerald, jade, kunzite, lapis lazuli, opal, pearl, or turquoise. Soaking is also discouraged.
HOME JEWELRY CLEANER
Be sure to check with your experienced jeweler prior to using a commercial cleaning product for the first time. Dispose of any such cleaner after 3 months. A home solution of one part mild detergent, one part household ammonia, and three parts water is also effective for many jewelry cleaning needs. Dry the jewelry with a lint-free towel. This method of cleaning is especially desirable for alexandrite, amethyst, andalusite, aquamarine, citrine, diamond, garnet, iolite, moonstone, ruby, sapphire, spinel, tanzanite, topaz, tourmaline, and zircon.
HOME ULTRASONIC CLEANER
Home ultrasonic cleaners are best used for karat gold jewelry without gemstones. The ultrasonic may also be suitable for some diamond-set jewelry. Intense vibrations may loosen stones, so a professional annual cleaning and security check is important. DO NOT use the home ultrasonic for amber, coral, emerald, kunzite, lapis lazuli, opal, pearl, ruby, or turquoise.
PROTECTION
Every six months to a year, bring in your fine jewelry or watches for an examination and cleaning. We will check all the prongs for gemstone security and chlorine damage. We also check clasps. If needed, we will recommend restringing pearls to protect against an inopportune string failure. When we clean your jewelry, we will also check the stone itself for any damage that may warrant re-cutting or re-polishing.
Be sure you understand how your fine jewelry should be worn, how to store it, how to clean it, and what to look for to protect it from harm. Contact Us at Pugh’s Diamond Jewelers, we’re always glad to discuss any questions you may have.
WATCHES
Few watches are waterproof, though many are water resistant. If you need a battery replaced or moisture or dust has penetrated the case of your watch, have it checked or maintained only by an trained technician. Attempts by an untrained repair person may seriously damage the watch and invalidate factory warranties. Cleaning watches from home should only be done with care and with knowledge the watch is water resistant. Otherwise only external wiping down with a wet soapy cloth is advised.
INDUSTRY LINKS FOR FINE JEWELRY CARE:
https://www.jewelers.org/education/jewelry-care
https://www.gia.edu/search?q=JEWELRY+CARE
INDUSTRY LINK FOR FINE JEWELRY REPAIR:
https://www.jewelers.org/education/jewelry-care/jewelry-repair
WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU CAN’T GET YOUR RING OFF:
https://www.jewelersmutual.com/the-jewelry-box/what-to-do-when-you-cant-get-your-ring