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Jewelry Care
General
Tips
Store your jewelry in a clean,
dry place.
Keep your jewelry in a fabric-lined jewelry case,
or in a box with compartments and dividers. If you
prefer to use ordinary boxes, wrap each piece individually
in soft tissue paper.
Don't jumble your jewelry pieces in a drawer or
jewelry case. Pieces can scratch each other.
Be careful when removing your jewelry to wash your
hands. Do not leave your jewelry on the rim of a
sink where it can easily slip down the drain.
See your jeweler at least once a year to have your
jewelry checked for loose prongs, worn mountings,
and general wear and tear. Visit your jeweler every
six months to have your jewelry professionally cleaned.
There are many types of small machines on the market
that will clean jewelry in a matter of minutes using
high-frequency sound. These machines are called
"ultrasonic cleaners" and are available in many
different models and prices. They can be a convenient
way to quickly clean your jewelry at home. However,
ultrasonic cleaners can damage some jewelry. Your
local jeweler can tell you if an ultrasonic cleaning
machine is right for your jewelry wardrobe and,
if it is, recommend an appropriate model.
Diamonds
Diamond jewelry is very popular. Some pieces, such
as diamond engagement and wedding rings, are often
worn 24 hours a day. Even though you may wear your
diamond jewelry around the clock, you should give
thought to its care. Diamonds are durable, but they
still require proper maintenance. Diamonds can get
smudged, soiled and dusty. Lotions, powders, soaps,
even natural skin oils, put a film on diamonds and
cut down their brilliance. Clean diamonds "glow"
because the maximum amount of light can enter the
stone and return in a fiery brilliance. It takes
just a little care to keep them that way.
Do not wear diamond jewelry, especially rings, when
doing rough work. Even though diamond is one of
the hardest materials in nature, it can still be
chipped by a sharp, sudden blow.
Chlorine can damage and discolor the mounting on
your diamond jewelry. Keep your diamond away from
chlorine bleach or other household chemicals. You
should also remove your diamond jewelry before entering
a chlorinated pool or hot tub.
Clean your diamonds regularly using a commercial
jewelry cleaner, a mix of ammonia and water, or
a mild detergent. Dip the jewelry into the solution
and use a soft brush to dislodge dust or dirt from
under the setting.
Avoid touching your clean diamonds with your fingers.
Handle clean jewelry by its edges.
Colored Gemstones
There are many different types of colored gemstones,
some of which require specific care and cleaning
procedures. It would be impossible to enumerate
all of them in this brochure. However, there are
some general care and cleaning rules which apply
to all colored gemstone jewelry.
Many natural gemstones are treated or enhanced from
the time they are extracted from the earth by one
or more traditionally accepted jewelry industry
practices. These treatments and enhancements can
affect how you should clean and care for your colored
gemstone jewelry. Consult your jeweler for more
information on caring for treated or enhanced gemstones.
After wearing, wipe your precious gemstone jewelry
thoroughly with a clean, soft, slightly damp cloth.
This will enhance the gemstone's luster and ensure
that your jewelry is clean before storage.
Store gemstone pieces individually in soft pouches.
You should be able to obtain these from your jeweler.
Do not expose your precious gemstone pieces to salt
water or harsh chemicals, such as chlorine or detergents.
These chemicals may slowly erode the finish and
polish of gemstones.
Hair spray, perfume and perspiration may cause jewelry
to become dull. Apply all cosmetics, perfumes and
colognes before putting on colored gemstone jewelry.
Make sure to wipe your gemstones after wear to remove
any chemicals, oils or perspiration.
Do not subject gemstone jewelry to sudden temperature
changes.
If you have an active lifestyle take extra precautions
with some types of gemstone jewelry. Emeralds, for
example, are brittle and should not be worn when
doing household chores or any other activity where
the stone could be hit or damaged.
Be extra careful with ultrasonic cleaners. Some
gemstones are fragile and can be damaged by ultrasonic
cleaners. Consult your jeweler for the best cleaning
procedure for your particular gemstone jewelry.
Your jeweler is also a good source for any information
on colored gemstones.
Karat Gold
Jewelry
Karat gold jewelry pieces make up the majority of
many fine jewelry collections. Gold comes in many
different styles and colors, but the care and cleaning
procedure remains the same.
Remove all gold jewelry before showering or cleaning.
Soap can cause a film to form on karat gold jewelry,
making it appear dull and dingy. By preventing the
formation of this film, you immediately reduce the
occasions your pieces will need to be cleaned.
To clean your jewelry at home, you'll find many
commercial cleaners available. In addition, you
will find a soft chamois cloth an effective and
inexpensive way to keep your pieces lustrous and
shining. Ask your jeweler to recommend both of these
items for you.
For certain gold jewelry, especially pieces that
do not contain colored gemstones, an ultrasonic
cleaning machine may be appropriate. Once again,
ask your jeweler to advise you.
Be careful of chlorine. Chlorine, especially at
high temperatures, can permanently damage or discolor
your gold jewelry. Do not wear gold jewelry while
using chlorine bleach or while in a pool or hot
tub.
You can remove tarnish with a jewelry cleaner, or
by using soap and water mixed with a few drops of
ammonia. Carefully brush with a soft bristle brush.
An old toothbrush can also be used. After the brushing,
simply rinse with lukewarm water and allow to dry.
If there is a heavy tarnish on your jewelry, consult
your jeweler for the best cleaning procedure. You
should also talk to your jeweler before attempting
to clean any karat gold jewelry set with colored
gemstones because some stones require special cleaning
procedures.
Grease can be removed from karat gold jewelry by
dipping the jewelry into plain rubbing alcohol.
Again, check with your jeweler about colored gemstone
pieces.
Platinum
Platinum is one of the rarest and most durable precious
metals. It is resistant to tarnishing and discoloration
due to chlorine and other chemicals. These factors,
along with its strength and white luster, have made
platinum an increasingly popular choice for jewelry,
either on its own or as the setting for diamonds
and other precious gemstones. However, despite its
durability, platinum jewelry needs to be properly
cared for.
Platinum jewelry can be cleaned the same way you
can other fine jewelry. Your jeweler can recommend
a prepackaged jewelry cleaner that works with platinum,
or ask your jeweler to professionally clean your
platinum pieces. A professional cleaning every six
months will keep your platinum jewelry in great
shape.
Store your platinum jewelry separately and with
care, not allowing pieces to touch each other because
even platinum can be scratched.
Signs of wear such as scratches can eventually appear
on platinum. However, due to the metal's durability
there is usually little metal loss from the scratch.
If visible scratches do appear, your jeweler should
be able to repolish the piece.
If your platinum is set with diamonds or other precious
stones, be especially careful as these materials
can be more susceptible to damage. Some fine jewelry
pieces combine platinum with karat gold jewelry.
Care for these pieces as you would your gold jewelry
or consult your jeweler.
Sterling
Silver Jewelry Sterling silver, like other precious
metals, can oxidize with time. But properly maintained
silver jewelry improves with age and develops a
lush patina. Treat your silver well, care for it
properly and it will reward you with a long life
and a lustrous look.
Clean your silver jewelry with a mild soap and water
solution, allowing the water to bead up, and then
patting dry with a soft cloth. For more stubborn
dirt, use a jewelry cleaner designed for silver
use. Ask your jeweler to recommend an appropriate
brand.
Store your silver in a cool, dry place, preferably
in a tarnish-preventive bag or wrapped in a soft
piece of felt or cloth. Store pieces individually
so that they don't knock together and scratch.
Do not rub silver with anything other than a polishing
cloth or a fine piece of felt. Your jeweler should
be able to provide these. Tissue paper or paper
towels can cause scratches because of the fibers
in these products.
Make sure your silver is not exposed to air and
light during storage _ this can cause silver to
tarnish. And don't wear sterling silver in chlorinated
water or when working with household chemicals.
Cultured
Pearls
Cultured pearls are precious jewels and should be
treated as such. They're also the products of living
creatures. Cultured pearls are formed when an irritant
is introduced into a mollusk. The mollusk secretes
a substance called nacre which covers the irritant
and produces the pearl. Nacre gives pearls the rainbow
of colors and luster that makes these gemstones
so treasured, but its delicate nature also makes
pearls particularly susceptible to damage. For this
reason you should be extra careful with your cultured
pearl jewelry.
Apply cosmetics, hair sprays and perfume before
putting on any pearl jewelry. When you remove the
jewelry, wipe it carefully with a soft cloth to
remove any traces of these substances.
You can also wash your pearl jewelry with mild soap
and water. Do not clean cultured pearls with any
chemicals, abrasives or solvents. These substances
can damage your pearls.
Do not toss your cultured pearl jewelry carelessly
into a purse, bag or jewel box. A pearl's surface
is soft and can be scratched by hard metal edges
or by the harder gemstones of other jewelry pieces.
Place cultured pearl jewelry in a chamois bag or
wrap them in tissue when putting them away.
Cosmetics, perspiration, oils and ordinary wear
weaken and stretch the threads on which the pearls
are strung. Bring your pearls back to your jeweler
for restringing once a year. Make certain the pearls
are strung with a knot between each pearl. This
will prevent loss of pearls if the string should
break.
Watches
Watches need the same amount of attention as fine
jewelry. Fine watches are sophisticated and precise
pieces of equipment; the price often reflects the
skilled workmanship that goes into a fine timepiece.
In order to get the most satisfaction out of your
watch, you should follow some simple care and cleaning
guidelines.
No matter how handy you are, don't attempt "do-it-yourself"
watch repairs. Only an expert jeweler/watchmaker
should be trusted to put your watch back into working
condition.
Give your watch a quick check on a regular basis,
making sure that the strap or bracelet is securely
attached to the watch face.
A mechanical watch should be checked regularly by
your jeweler/watchmaker or an authorized dealer
and serviced according to the manufacturer's guidelines.
Wind your watch in a clockwise direction, preferably
about the same time each day. Remove the watch from
your wrist when winding so as not to place undue
pressure on the stem.
Replace broken or scratched crystals immediately.
Even a hairline crack can let dust and moisture
into the time-keeping mechanism, threatening its
accuracy.
Unless the degree of water-resistance is clearly
specified when you purchase your watch, do not wear
it into the shower or pool, or on a moist wrist.
Have your jeweler/watchmaker or an authorized watch
dealer replace the battery in a quartz watch before
it runs out. Dead batteries left in the watch can
leak or corrode, ruining the timepiece. Do not attempt
to change the battery in a watch yourself. If your
watch is water-resistant, a water-resistance test
should be performed after the battery has been replaced
to ensure that water will not leak into and damage
the watch.
Batteries run for about two to three years. Those
in some less expensive, multi-function digital watches
have shorter lives, as little as six months. Using
extra features such as a calculator or game can
shorten battery life.
Oils from your skin can build up on a watch. If
your watch is water-resistant, you can give it a
quick cleaning with a mixture of warm water and
either a mild soap or a dish detergent. Dry the
watch with a soft cloth after cleaning. If your
watch has a strap made out of leather or another
material, you should clean only the watch face and
not the strap.
If your watch is not water-resistant, or you're
not sure, do not immerse it in water. Clean the
piece with a slightly damp cloth and then dry.
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865-777-1181 |
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Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
865-366-1292 |
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