Caring For Your Jewellery
Always remove when showering, swimming or when undertaking housework etc. Avoid contact with perfume, chemicals, hairspray etc.
Protect all jewellery by keeping it stored separately to avoid scratching from other jewellery, storing it in a dry, cool place. Keep all silver items in re-sealable bags with an anti-tarnish tab; pearls with silver which should not be stored for too long in such bags in case they crack in the dry environment but should be aired and worn.
Use a damp cloth to clean jewellery – many stones do not like immersion in water. There is much advice on the internet for the many different gemstones.
It is not a good idea to force a necklace over the head if it can just go over – this will in time cause problems.
Never let children choke on small items as they can be a hazard.
Pearls
Do not let them come into contact with high temperatures, perfume, hairspray, chlorine, face creams etc, as these substances will eventually damage the pearl surface and reduce lustre.Avoid spraying your neck and wrist with perfume –spray your hair or your other wrist for example. Pearls should be the last thing that you put on before going out and the first thing that you take off upon returning home.
If your pearls are on a silk thread, they may need restringing every few years, depending on how frequently they are worn.
Cleaning. Occasionally wipe the pearls with a damp cloth to remove body oils before putting them away. If really dirty, wash pearls with mild soap (not detergent), rinse and dry with soft cloth.
Do not use ‘silver dip’ on any silver located near pearls in case you might touch the pearls – only rub off tarnish with a silver cloth.
Storage. Pearls must be stored alone and flat (not hung as silk can stretch). Wrap the pearls in a soft pouch. Do not store pearls in an airtight package such as a plastic bag for a long time because if the environment is too dry, the pearls may crack. If there is silver in the necklace, they can be stored short term in a plastic grip bag with an anti-tarnish tab but they should be aired and worn.
Gemstones
Lapis Lazuli and Garnets are often dyed to enhance their beauty so do not spray your neck and wrist with perfume as sometimes colour can temporarily mark your skin.
Glass
It is very advisable to put on glass and crystal jewellery over soft surfaces i.e. bed or carpet but not a dressing table or hard floor to avoid chipping. Especially important when changing the cluster on one of our crystal pendants, as angular edges are more prone to being chipped.
Floating necklaces.
They must be stored flat or hung up on their own or the wire may be damaged. They can be gently coiled for storage inside a box. The wire is strong and durable but not crush-proof and would bend forever if it were caught inside a box lid which snaps down hard. Handle all Floating necklaces and earrings carefully.
Using silver dip, polishing clothes and ultrasonics
Silver dips need to be used with great care as they are strong. Fine silver (which should not tarnish anyway) such as Karen Hill tribe silver should not be dipped. Coated Swarovski crystals should not be dipped. You should only use a dip on large silver items and chains. It will also spruce up a vermeil chain.
A polishing cloth is much better where the silver is close contact with gems and pearls. A polishing cloth should work even when it has turned black and must not be washed or the treatment will be rinsed out.
A home ultrasonic cleaner should be used with extreme caution. It can be used to clean ruby, sapphire, diamond, iolite, amethyst, citrine, garnets, but it may damage gems like emerald, pink tourmaline, peridot, pearls, coral, lapis lazuli, malachite, turquoise, and any gem that has many inclusions. When in doubt, don’t use it.