|
Gem Stone Care To make sure that stones remain securely set, have fine jewelry pieces especially those with prongs checked periodically by a professional. Every 12-18 months is a reasonable interval. You can also check for loose settings yourself. If you ever feel or hear the stone moving in the setting, it's a warning that the bezel or prongs need tightening to avoid accidental loss Also check catches, hooks, and clasps to make sure they are secure and working properly. Observing a few common-sense precautions can help you avoid the most common dangers to your jewelry and keep it safe and sparkling for a lifetime. · Remove jewelry before showering or bathing to prevent a soapy film buildup. Soap film diminishes the liveliness and beauty of your jewelry and necessitates more frequent cleaning. · Remove jewelry before putting on makeup, powder, or hair spray. Wash your hands after applying makeup to remove dulling residues before handling jewelry. · Avoid wearing fine jewelry while doing any type of rough work, especially if you are using abrasives or chemicals. The risk of chipping or scratching fine jewelry during heavy housework or garden work is very high. In addition, abrasives can scratch both stones and metal. Chemicals can discolor metals and dull the polish on stones. For example, chlorine can cause pitting and discoloration to settings, and ammonia can remove the polish on some stones. · Avoid wearing fine jewelry while participating in vigorous sports in which jewelry may be subject to an accidental knock or blow. · Avoid exposing fine jewelry to intense heat, particularly while cooking. Grasping a hot handle, removing items from a hot oven, or working near a flame or steam can damage many gems. · Never boil jewelry to clean it. Many stones will crack or lose color. · Avoid exposing fine jewelry to an extreme temperature change for example, storing it in an "in-the-ground" safe when temperatures are quite cold and then removing it and wearing it in a heated room. This is especially true with opals. · Don't lay jewelry on the side of a sink unless the drain is closed. · Never remove rings to wash your hands when you are away from home. All too many have been forgotten and lost. · Keeping genuine gemstone jewelry clean is essential if you want it to sparkle to its fullest. Film from lotions, powders, and skin oils dulls stones and reduces their brilliance. To keep your jewelry looking its best, clean it on a regular basis. · Be very careful to use an appropriate cleaner. An inappropriate cleaner may actually damage stones or settings. · The simplest and safest way to clean any kind of jewelry is with recommended comercial jewelery products. If not avaliable an alternate method is to wash it with warm sudsy water. Prepare a small bowl of sudsy water, using any mild liquid detergent. Soak the piece a few minutes, and then brush it gently with an eyebrow brush* or very soft toothbrush* while holding it under running water. Ensure that a strainer is in place to prevent jewelry from going down drain.When the piece is clean and sparkling, pat it dry with a soft lint-free cloth or paper towel.
*Be aware that the brush method may loosen gem stones or cause loose gem stones to be releived from their settings. Also, the brush method may cause light scratches on some gem stones and/or gold. Because of their unique characteristics, opals, and emeralds require special care and treatment. Opals: Rub the top of your opal periodically with a paper towel moistened with a light oil to apply a thin film of oil to the top of the stone. Wipe off excess oil with a dry towel. A light film of oil applied to the top periodically (once every six months) can help protect the opal from drying and cracking. Do not immerse the opal in oil or let it soak in any liquid. Soaking may damage the stone. Never clean opals in an ultrasonic cleaner. Ultrasonic cleaners can worsen inclusions and weaken color. Emeralds: Avoid wearing emeralds while doing rough work or participating in active sports. Emeralds are fragile and are susceptible to damage from a hard blow or knock. Never clean emeralds in an ultrasonic cleaner. Ultrasonic cleaners can worsen inclusions and weaken color.
|
