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Photo by Nick Karvounis on Unsplash |
Jewelry is an investment encompassing not only money, but patience, love, and time. When jewelry is properly polished and cleaned, it draws attention from those around you and maintains its value. Nature’s gift of precious metals and gems requires special care. Gem hardness dictates how vulnerable it is to damage. The harder it is, the less chance of any mishaps.
Taking
great care when cleaning your family heirlooms and the high-quality
sentimental pieces in your collection is expected. However, too many
people forget about the prized jewelry pieces they wear daily—like
diamond stud earrings, their engagement ring and wedding band, or the
heirloom pearl brooch—and
their need for a little tender loving care as well.
To
keep all the pieces you love the most sparkling clean and in superb
condition, here is a list of some dos and don’t basics for
cleaning and maintenance.
Jewelry
in General
Whether
it is gold, diamond, pearl, or sterling silver, there are certain
recommendations that should be observed for all jewelry.
Do
make jewelry the first thing you take off and the last thing you put
on. This avoids contact with chemical-laden makeup, hair products,
and perfumes that may cause damage or buildup.
It
also prevents clothing from snagging on the item and potentially
causing damage such as broken chains. Even if it did not break
outright, the force from yanking weakens the item, increasing the chances it will break when you least expect it. Not only will this be
costly to repair, but you also run the risk of losing something of
extreme importance. It will also protect your clothes from rips and tears.
Don’t
ever use toothpaste to clean your jewelry. Most toothpaste has
abrasive qualities that cause scratches, not to mention the added
chemicals in many brands that can tarnish or dull your jewelry’s
appearance.
Do
read all the labels on any cleaning supplies you purchase. There is
no “one size fits all” for cleaners. As all metals and stones
differ, so do the chemicals and tools used to clean them.
Don’t
ever wear necklaces,
chains, or bracelets to bed. They can easily catch on linens and
bedding, get tangled in your hair, or unintentionally be pulled while
you are sleeping. Sleeping in quality jewelry can shorten its
lifespan by almost 80%!
Do
use a baby’s
soft-bristled toothbrush, mild dish soap, and warm water to clean
your jewelry (except for porous gems and pearls). If you are unsure
if
soap is safe for your piece,
get advice from your jeweler.
Don’t
clean your jewelry
over open drains unless you are willing to make an emergency call to
the plumber.
Do
use a soft cloth at
the end of the day to wipe down items you wore to remove dirt and
oil. Store all items in a compartmentalized jewelry box lined with
fabric or in a fabric pouch.
Don’t
keep jewelry on while
swimming or performing arduous tasks like gardening.
Do
take your jewelry in
for a professional to look at once every year or two. They will
examine your items for signs of wear, complete any needed repairs,
and give them a good cleaning to restore brilliance.
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Photo by Alvin Mahmudov on Unsplash |
Precious
Metals
All
precious metals are soft material. Therefore, they are easy to
solder, melt, and manipulate. Especially with gold, the designs can
look stunning, but they may not have been created to withstand the
rigors of excessive wear and tear.
When
ultrasonic cleaners first arrived for purchase, they were seen by
many as the most effective way to clean your jewelry at home. This
new technology was thought to be preferable to the previous methods
of manual scrubbing or soap and water cleaning. Although ultrasonic
cleaners are a great way to clean platinum, gold, and silver jewelry,
the high heat process can ruin gemstones.
Do
remove precious metal
jewelry before sleeping, bathing, cleaning. Chlorine and bleach are
the two worst enemies of alloys. They will cause pitting and an
eventual degradation of the metal.
Don’t
allow a buildup of
dirt and oil to turn your jewelry dull.
Do
store each piece in
its own compartment or pouch, so it does not scratch other pieces.
FYI, even paper can scratch gold!
Don’t
wear pieces that are too long or large. Especially for bracelets and
chains, there is an increased risk of them catching on something and
snapping.
Do
wipe down pieces with a soft cloth before storing them. Take the time
to closely examine items with gemstones to ensure the settings are
still solid.
Don’t
wear pieces that are
damaged or close to breakage. It is easy to lose jewelry, such as
bracelets and necklaces, without even noticing.
Gemstones
When
you first bring home a gemstone, it sparkles brilliantly, has
stunning color, and is smoothly polished. When worn daily, these
attributes fade quickly if it is not given some TLC.
Do
clean your gemstones by hand and treat them gently, especially
diamonds, to keep them brilliant
and prevent buildup under the stones.
Don’t
use an ultrasonic
machine on gems. Diamonds and sapphires will likely come out okay
because of their hardness, but it is always better to be safe now
than sorry later.
Do
wipe pieces off at the
end of the day to get rid of dirt and body oil.
Don’t
polish items too
excessively if they are antique. Especially with rose or yellow gold,
the patina it took more than a century to acquire is not something
you want to lose.
Do
examine prongs and
settings at least weekly for any signs of wear or breaks.
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Photo by Volha Kudzina on Unsplash |
Pearls
Pearls
are in a class all their own as they are organically formed by an
animal. As such, they require different care than gemstones. Ranked
at 2.5 on the Mohs scale, pearls are very soft and are not durable
without proper care. Careless day-to-day contact or even washing your
hands can irreparably damage them without you even noticing.
Pearls
are extremely porous. Their nacre can be eaten away by beauty
products and home cleaners, resulting in pearls lacking luster.
Do
clean strands of
pearls with soap, tepid water, and a soft-bristled brush. Allow them
to dry by lying flat on an absorbent cloth. For other items like
earrings, pendants, and rings, use a moist, warm cloth and dab them
clean.
Don’t
ever
immerse pearl setting jewelry in water.
Do
keep pearls away from
extreme heat.
Don’t
store them in an
airtight container. Pearls require a certain moisture level and air
circulation to keep from forming a patina.
Do
watch carefully when
wearing pearl rings. Sudden temperature changes can cause the metal
post to contract and loosen the pearl.
Don’t
ever hang pearls to
store or dry. The cord will weaken and stretch.
Final
Thoughts
Purchasing
fine jewelry is not a spur of the moment decision. Due to the high
cost, you want something you adore and will be excited to wear each
time you put it on. With a small amount of time and effort, the
treasured jewelry pieces you have in your collection will give you
enjoyment for years and last to be passed down for many generations.
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