The caring and cleaning of your jewelry

Jewelry may be kept for years to come if taken care of. If jewelry is left for years or even months without a good cleaning or brushing, it can look dull and uninviting. Here is how to clean and care for your jewelry.

• Store each piece of gemstone jewelry separately so that harder stones don't scratch softer ones
  
• Link and chain bracelets are best stored flat or rolled up in soft cloth.
  
• If you have the type of jewelry box that allows you to “hang” necklaces, this is probably the best way to deal with necklaces and beads.
• Apply perfume, makeup, and hairspray before putting on jewelry
• When doing household tasks such as gardening,washing,cooking and cleaning, be certain to remove your jewelry especially rings
• remove all jewelry before having your hair styled or colored
• Take off your jewelry before cleaning or participating in athletic activities, especially while swimming in a swimming pool. The chlorine can cause damage to various gemstones, silver and even gold
• Be especially careful to avoid allowing your jewelry to be exposed to household chemicals, nail polish and remover, solvents and abrasives
• storing silver in airtight plastic bags will greatly reduce tarnishing since exposure to air tarnishes silver.
  
• Silver jewelry is intentionally oxidized (antiqued). Oxidized silver should only be cleaned with a polishing cloth, without silver cleaning solution
  

How to Clean Rings

• Rings tend to collect dust and soap behind the stone, particularly if you wear them all the time. To clean them simply soak in water with a touch of gentle soap. If necessary, use a soft toothbrush to scrub behind the stone, rinse thoroughly with clean water and dry them with a soft, lint free cloth.
  

Caring for Your Pearls

Even cultured pearls with thicker coatings are more fragile than most other gemstones, so you must handle them carefully to keep them in the best condition.

• Don't store your pearls with other jewelry they are soft and damage easily when metal or gemstones rub against them.
  
• Put your pearl jewelry on after you've applied your makeup and perfume; take off your pearl rings before you apply hand and body creams.
• Pearl should only be wiped clean with a dry or moist cloth, Dirty pearls can be cleaned with a mild soap and water then allow the pearls to air dry before putting them away
• pearls should not be kept in an airtight container; they can dry out
• Don't put pearl jewelry in an ultrasonic cleaner.
• Your fine pearl necklaces should be restrung periodically so that you're sure the silk or nylon cord holding them is in good shape. To remove fingerprints, light grease or dirt from organic gems like pearls, coral, and amber only clean them with a dry or moist soft cloth. Due to their organic nature, these gems are both soft and porous. Be careful about chemicals in hairspray, cosmetics, or perfume: they can, over time, damage these type of jewelry.

We advise bringing your jewelry to an expert for all cleaning and repairs.