TAKING CARE OF YOUR JEWELRY
Talisman Jewelers offers free cleaning and inspection of your jewelry any time, and recommend twice yearly check-ups to insure that your jewelry is looking good and performing well for you.
There are things you can do to take care of your jewelry at home.
The first step is to protect it from damage. Store each piece separate from other pieces in a lined jewelry box. Scratching may occur when one piece rubs against another. Even diamonds, the hardest substance known, can be scratched by another diamond. Chains and necklaces are best stored hanging rather than looped or bunched up.
Most jewelry may be cleaned with a soft brush and a commercial jewelry cleaner, although you should always check the label for specific instructions. Some gemstones (for example, emeralds, opals, or pearls) do require special treatment; it's best to check with your jeweler for appropriate care of a particular gemstone.
To put the shine back on your diamond jewelry, make your own cleaning solution by mixing one part dish detergent, one part ammonia, and three parts water. After cleaning with a soft toothbrush, rinse your jewelry and dry on a lint free towel.
Pearls, because of their organic nature, are more fragile than mineral gemstones. Pearls should be wiped with a soft chamois after each wearing to remove oils and acids. They should be protected from perfumes, hair sprays, and other liquids which might attack the pearl surface. Depending on the frequency of wear, consider restringing your strands every one or two years to minimize loss from breakage.
Opals are also somewhat fragile and should receive special care as they are subject to moisture loss due to their amorphous nature and chemical composition. Opals tend to pick up moisture from the skin, so wearing them is all the "beauty treatment" needed other than an occasional cleaning with soft toothbrush and a mild cleaning solution (Again, check labels!).
Karat gold jewelry can be cleaned at with a soft toothbrush and the same cleaning solution used on diamond jewelry. It's important to clean chains and bracelets as dirt and oils may collect in the chain and rub off on your clothing.
A few more tips for taking care of your fine jewelry:
- Take off your fine jewelry while doing rough work, such as gardening and heavy cleaning. Even though gemstones have a certain amount of durability, a hard blow may chip a gemstone, even a diamond.
- Remove your jewelry while cleaning with bleach, as chlorine bleach reacts with the alloys in the gold which may result in pitting, brittleness or discoloration of the gold.
- For the same reason above, it's a good idea to remove your jewelry when swimming or hot tubbing in chlorinated water.
- Have your jewelry checked twice a year by a reputable jeweler for signs of wear and loose gemstones.
If you have any questions or concerns about how to care for a particular piece of jewelry at home, talk to your jeweler. Knowing how to care for your jewelry is always better than risking damage from improper care.
