Product Care & Repair
Jewelry is often an investment and, for many people, has a great sentimental value attached to the pieces. Therefore, it is important to take care of your jewelry to make sure they look their best for years to come. Whether you are trying to clean a diamond engagement ring, a cherished pearl necklace, or a gold bracelet, follow our guide and take care of your jewelry with confidence.
General Care:
One should regularly check jewelry for damage or wear. If the jewelry seems broken or damaged, contact us immediately, we take great pride in helping you keep yours looking as good as the day it was bought. Here are a few tips on some of the things you can do to keep it in great shape:
– Take your jewelry off if you’re involved in any activity which could scratch, knock or damage it. If in any doubt, take it off and keep it safe.
– Take it off when you go to bed.
– Keep it well away from chemicals, especially chlorine. If it does come into contact with chemicals, rinse it in water immediately.
– Bathe and apply any lotions or perfumes before you put your jewelry on. Organic gemstones like pearls and opals are particularly vulnerable to acids, even perspiration.
– Store it separately, ideally in a soft-lined box or case, so that your favorite pieces don’t tangle, rub or scratch one another. Pearls in particular should be kept separately as they are easily scratched by hard gemstones.
– Make sure chains and necklaces are fastened when storing to avoid tangling.
– Remove jewelry while cooking and cleaning.
– When storing jewelry, please keep it away from direct sunlight, excessive heat, or damp conditions.
Cleaning Gold:
– It doesn’t take long for gold jewelry to lose its shine. Fingerprints and a daily build-up of dirt can quickly dull even the brightest gold. Thankfully, we have some tips to help you to get it shining once again.
– If the gold jewelry has gemstones or pearls, please be extra careful when cleaning the piece. Check out the rest of the guide for how best to clean the individual gems so that you don’t cause any damage to the jewelry.
– A cleaning solution designed exclusively for jewelry is a safe option, but make sure any solution is intended for the correct precious metal or gemstone. If in doubt, it is best to stick to using the following steps:
–> Add a few drops of washing-up liquid (or other mild degreasing solution) to a lukewarm bowl of water. Extreme temperature changes may damage the jewelry, so avoid hot or ice-cold water.
–> Soak the jewelry for ten minutes to loosen any build-up of dirt.
–> Gently clean with a soft-bristled brush such as an unused toothbrush.
–> Make sure to clean the whole piece of jewelry and get into hard-to-reach places while being extra careful when cleaning fragile parts of the jewelry (for example, at a stone’s setting).
–> Rinse thoroughly in clean water to remove soap residue and any other remnants of dirt.
–> Dry gently with a lint-free cloth or leave on a cloth to air dry.
Gold is a very soft metal that is susceptible to scratching. Remember this fact during the cleaning and drying process and be as gentle as possible
Diamond Cleaning:
Despite being the hardest naturally occurring substance on Earth, diamonds require care and attention. They are hard, but they can still fracture and be scratched by other diamonds due to their directional hardness. Oil deposits from fingers and general dust and grime can quickly adhere to the diamond surface and affect a diamond’s brilliance.
Handle the diamond carefully and store it away from other jewelry to avoid scratching the other pieces, including other diamond jewelry. Keeping the diamond in individual small plastic bags or a fabric-lined case will help reduce damage, wear, and a build-up of dirt.
Clean the diamond regularly. Soak in warm water with a degreasing solution (a couple of drops of washing-up liquid will suffice). Gently brush with a soft, clean toothbrush before drying with a lint-free cloth. Be extra careful with the stone’s setting as this may be fragile. Avoid using bleaches or other hard abrasives. This can easily damage the precious metal in which the diamond is mounted.
Gemstone Cleaning:
Gemstones are bought for their sparkle and color, so it’s essential to keep them looking their best. However, it is important to know what type of gem you are cleaning and how to get it back to looking like new.
Many colored gemstones have been treated to enhance their appearance. These treatments can negatively interact with some cleaning products and damage the jewellery. If in any doubt, take your jewellery to a jeweller for advice.
Although a gemstone may appear tough, many can be susceptible to heat. Whenever cleaning, make sure that you use warm water rather than hot or boiling water. Inclusions within gemstones can weaken their structure if aggressively cleaned. Gemstones, such as emeralds that have been oiled to improve colour, can be negatively affected by mechanical cleaning such as steam and ultrasonic cleaning.
For nearly all coloured gemstones cleaning with warm water, a couple of drops of washing-up liquid and a soft brush will be more than adequate. Make sure to avoid hard and rigid brushes. A toothbrush is usually an excellent tool due to head size and flexibility. If using a toothbrush, it is important to buy one labelled with a soft or extra-soft brush.
When cleaning malachite, use cool water as it is particularly sensitive to heat and hot water may damage the gemstone.