FAQ's
page five
Care of Pearls:
Like any precious heirloom,
pearl jewelry will require some care to preserve its freshness and
beauty.
Occasionally clean the pearls gently with a cloth
dipped in alcohol diluted with warm water, or in mild soapy water.
Then rinse the cloth in fresh water and wipe the pearls clean. Dry
them with a soft cloth.
The following hints will help you keep your pearls
looking their lustrous best.
-
Wait until after applying makeup, perfume, and hairspray to put
on jewelry. Some chemicals may harm jewelry.
-
Don’t allow pearls to rub against harder gems.
-
Before putting pieces away, wipe the pearl jewelry softly with a
clean cloth.
-
For storage, keep the pearl jewelry wrapped in a soft cloth and
protected from abrasive objects.
-
Strands will need restringing from time to time, depending on
how often they are worn. Consult with your jeweler annually on
restringing.
Care of your Gemstones
Gems are among the most durable of nature’s creations. With a
little care, they will be as beautiful for generations to come as
they are today. Keep in mind these gem care tips.
- The best way to clean your gemstone jewelry is in a
bowl of water with a few drops of ordinary dish detergent. Using
an old toothbrush or other soft brush, scrub gently behind the
stone where dust and soap can collect. Then just rinse and pat dry
with a soft cloth.
- A home ultrasonic cleaner should be used with extreme caution.
It can be used to clean Ruby, Sapphire, Diamond, Amethyst,
Citrine, Garnets, Chrysoberyl, and unadorned gold jewelry but it
may damage gems like Emerald, Tourmaline, Peridot, Pearls, Coral,
Lapis Lazuli, Turquoise, and any gem that has many inclusions.
When in doubt, don’t use it.
- Remove your jewelry before vigorous activities.
- Every day household items can ruin your gemstone jewelry. Make
sure you don’t expose your gems to the chemicals in cleaning
products, hair care products, fragrances and cosmetics.
- When getting dressed, put your jewelry on last. At the end of
the day, take your jewelry off first. Store your jewelry in a
cloth-lined box or pouch and keep them away from other jewelry,
which might scratch them.
Alexandrite
Alexandrite is rated “excellent” for everyday wear. To clean,
gently scrub with a solution of mild dish
soap and warm water. |
Emerald
Emerald is rated “fair to good” for everyday wear with care.
Avoid exposure to heat, contact with chemicals, and protect from
scratches and harsh blows. To clean, gently scrub with a solution of mild dish soap and warm water. |
Peridot
Peridot is rated “fair” for everyday wear with care. Avoid
exposure to heat and sudden changes in temperature. Avoid
contact with chemicals. To clean, gently scrub with a solution of mild dish soap and warm water.
|
Amethyst
Amethyst is rated “good” for everyday wear. Avoid direct
sunlight and exposure to heat which may cause color to fade.
Avoid contact with chemicals. To clean, gently scrub with a solution of mild dish soap and warm water, or
clean in an at-home ultrasonic unit. |
Garnet
Garnet is rated “good” for everyday wear. Avoid exposure to
heat and sudden changes in temperature. To clean, gently scrub
with a solution of mild dish soap and warm
water, or clean in an at-home ultrasonic unit. |
Quartz, Smoky
Smoky Quartz is rated “good” for everyday wear. Avoid direct
sunlight and exposure to heat which may cause color to fade.
Avoid contact with chemicals. To clean, gently scrub with a solution of mild dish soap and warm water, or
clean in an at-home ultrasonic unit. |
Ametrine
Ametrine is rated “good” for everyday wear. Avoid direct
sunlight and exposure to heat which may cause color to fade.
Avoid contact with chemicals. To clean, gently scrub with a solution of
mild dish soap and warm water, or clean in an at-home ultrasonic
unit. |
Iolite
Iolite is rated “fair” for everyday wear with care. Avoid
exposure to heat, contact with chemicals, and protect from
scratches and harsh blows. To clean, gently scrub with a solution of mild dish soap and warm water.
|
Ruby
Rubies are rated “excellent” for everyday wear. Avoid
exposure to heat and contact with chemicals. To clean, gently
scrub with a solution of mild dish soap
and warm water, or clean in an at-home ultrasonic unit. |
Aquamarine
Aquamarine is rated “good” for everyday wear. Avoid exposure
to heat, contact with chemicals, and protect from scratches and
harsh blows. To clean, gently scrub with a
solution of mild dish soap and warm water. |
Jade - Nephrite
Jade is rated “fair” for everyday wear with care. Avoid
exposure to heat, contact with chemicals, and protect from
scratches and harsh blows. To clean, gently scrub with a solution of mild dish soap and warm water, or
clean in an at-home ultrasonic unit. |
Sapphire
Sapphires are rated “excellent” for everyday wear. Avoid
exposure to heat and contact with chemicals. To clean, gently
scrub with a solution of mild dish soap
and warm water, or clean in an at-home ultrasonic unit.
|
Bloodstone
Bloodstone is rated “fair” for everyday wear. Avoid exposure
to heat, contact with chemicals, and protect from scratches and
harsh blows. To clean, gently scrub with a
solution of mild dish soap and warm water, or clean in an
at-home ultrasonic unit. |
Lapis
Lapis is rated “fair” for everyday wear with care. Avoid
exposure to heat, contact with chemicals, and protect from
scratches and harsh blows. To clean, gently scrub with a solution of mild dish soap and warm water. |
Tanzanite
Tanzanite is not for everyday wear, and one should take care
when wearing. Avoid exposure to heat and sudden changes in
temperature. Avoid contact with chemicals. To clean, gently
scrub with a solution of mild dish soap
and warm water. |
Cameo
Cameos are quite fragile and are not for everyday wear and
special care should be taken wearing. Avoid exposure to heat,
contact with chemicals, and protect from scratches and harsh
blows. To clean, wipe gently with a moist cloth. |
Marcasite
Marcasite is rated “fair” for everyday wear with care. Avoid
exposure to heat and protect from scratches and harsh blows.
Typically, the surface will oxidize over time. To clean, gently
scrub with a solution of mild dish soap
and warm water. |
Tiger's Eye
Tiger’s Eye is rated “good” for everyday wear. Avoid exposure
to heat and sudden changes in temperature. Avoid contact with
chemicals. To clean, gently scrub with a
solution of mild dish soap and warm water, or clean in an
at-home ultrasonic unit. |
Carnelian
Carnelian is rated “fair” for everyday wear. Avoid exposure
to heat, contact with chemicals, and protect from scratches and
harsh blows. To clean, gently scrub with a
solution of mild dish soap and warm water, or clean in an
at-home ultrasonic unit. |
Moonstone
Moonstone is rated “good” for everyday wear. Avoid exposure
to heat, contact with chemicals, and protect from scratches and
harsh blows. To clean, gently scrub with a
solution of mild dish soap and warm water. |
Topaz, Precious
Precious Topaz is rated “good” for everyday wear. Avoid
direct sunlight and exposure to heat which may cause color to
fade. Avoid contact with chemicals. To clean, gently scrub with a solution of mild dish soap and warm
water. |
Chalcedony - Blue and Lavender
Chalcedony is rated “fair” for everyday wear. Avoid exposure
to heat, contact with chemicals, and protect from scratches and
harsh blows. To clean, gently scrub with a
solution of mild dish soap and warm water, or clean in an
at-home ultrasonic unit. |
Onyx
Onyx is rated “fair” for everyday wear. Avoid exposure to
heat, contact with chemicals, and protect from scratches and
harsh blows. To clean, gently scrub with a
solution of mild dish soap and warm water, or clean in an
at-home ultrasonic unit. |
Topaz, Blue and White
Blue and White Topaz is rated “fair to good” for everyday
wear with care. Avoid direct sunlight and exposure to heat which
may cause color to fade. Avoid contact with chemicals. To clean,
gently scrub with a solution of mild dish
soap and warm water. |
Chrysoprase
Chrysoprase is rated “fair” for everyday wear. Avoid exposure
to heat, contact with chemicals, and protect from scratches and
harsh blows. To clean, gently scrub with a
solution of mild dish soap and warm water, or clean in an
at-home ultrasonic unit. |
Opal
Take care when wearing Opal. Avoid exposure to heat, contact
with chemicals, and protect from scratches and harsh blows. To
clean, gently scrub with a solution of
mild dish soap and warm water. |
Topaz, Diffused
Diffused Topaz is rated “good” for everyday wear. Avoid
contact with chemicals. Re-cutting is not
recommended. To clean, gently scrub with a
solution of mild dish soap and warm water, or clean in an
at-home ultrasonic unit. |
Citrine
Citrine is rated “good” for everyday wear. Avoid direct
sunlight and exposure to heat which may cause color to fade.
Avoid contact with chemicals. To clean, gently scrub with a solution of mild dish soap and warm water, or
clean in an at-home ultrasonic unit. |
Opal, Mexican Fire
Take care when wearing Fire Opal. Avoid exposure to heat,
contact with chemicals, and protect from scratches and harsh
blows. To clean, gently scrub with a
solution of mild dish soap and warm water. |
Tourmaline
Tourmaline is rated “fair to good” for everyday wear with
care. Avoid exposure to heat and protect from scratches and
harsh blows. To clean, gently scrub with a
solution of mild dish soap and warm water.
|
Coral
Coral is not for everyday wear, and one should take care when
wearing. Avoid exposure to heat, contact with chemicals, and
protect from scratches and harsh blows. To clean, wipe gently
with a moist cloth. |
Pearl
Pearls are not for everyday wear, and one should take care
when wearing. Avoid exposure to heat and protect from scratches
and harsh blows. Avoid contact with chemicals, especially
perfumes, perspiration and hair sprays. To clean, wipe gently
with a moist cloth. |
Turquoise
Turquoise is rated “fair” for everyday wear with care. Avoid
exposure to heat, contact with chemicals, and protect from
scratches and harsh blows. To clean, gently scrub with a solution of mild dish soap and warm water.
|
| . |
Zircon, Blue
Blue Zircon is rated “fair” for everyday wear with care.
Avoid direct sunlight and exposure to heat which may cause color
to fade. To clean, gently scrub with a
solution of mild dish soap and warm water. |
. |
Gemstone Information from:
Jewelers of America - Buy With Confidence From Your Jewelry
Professional
How to Prevent Silver from Tarnishing
Sterling, at over 92% silver, is quite pure. Perhaps this metal’s
most remarkable attribute is the way it ages. Silver patinas so
beautifully that designers often exaggerate that quality,
incorporating recesses protected from the natural polishing of
everyday wear, and even pre-oxidizing the surface.
Tarnishing of Sterling Silver Jewelry
Sterling silver is a copper-silver alloy and is somewhat softer
than most gold alloys. Therefore, it is more likely to be abraded to
black dust by movement between the jewelry and the skin or clothing.
A few people, especially with moist skin, may find that the sterling
silver stains their skin green due to the copper component of the
silver alloy. When this occurs they should polish their jewelry
frequently and use an absorbent, non-abrasive powder on moist skin
areas that are exposed to the jewelry.
Other Problems with Sterling Silver and Solutions
Soaps, detergent, wax, polish, and cosmetic creams may build up
under a ring causing a type of dermatitis. To prevent this, they
should remove all rings before using soap or detergent, and clean
the rings frequently.
Silver jewelry should be removed before working with photographic
chemicals.
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