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Care and Cleaning your Sterling Silver Jewelry
We take pride in our work and set high standards in the craftsmanship
of our handcrafted jewelry. As with every product its life
span will depend on the care you give it. These are some helpful
hints on how to look after your silver jewelry pieces.
- Silver can oxidize with time. To maintain the original
condition of your silver jewelry, polish your pieces regularly
using a non-abrasive cleaning cloth.
- 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. Tissue paper or paper towels can cause scratches
because of the fibers in these products. For more stubborn
dirt, use a jewelry cleaner designed for silver use.
- When you are not wearing your silver jewelry, store them
in a cool, dry place. Make sure your silver is not exposed
to air and light during storage. This can cause silver to
tarnish. Zip-lock bag and cloth pouches are ideal for storage
and will help prevent tarnishing or scratching by other
pieces. Store pieces individually so that they don't knock
together and scratch.
- Never immerse your silver jewelry in chlorine, salt water,
mineral springs, and suntan lotion. Remember that some household
cleaners contain chlorine bleach, these will cause discoloration
and also loosen the gemstones.
- Avoid abrasive cleaners, detergents and commercial jewelry
cleaners "dips" especially if the pieces have
an oxidized finish. Using harsh polishing cleaners will
alter the antique look of your jewelry.
Care of and Cleaning Gemstone Jewelry
There are many different types of gemstones, some of which
require specific care and cleaning procedures. However, there
are some general care and cleaning rules which apply to all
gemstone jewelry.
- Store gemstone pieces individually in soft pouches.
- 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.
- Never use an ultrasonic cleaner, ammonia or any chemical
solution to clean opaque gemstones, such as turquoise, malachite,
onyx, lapis lazuli and opals. They are a porous stone and
may absorb chemicals, which build up inside the stone and
cause discoloration.
- If your silver jewelry contains gemstones or pearls, do
not immerse in water, as this can loosen some settings.
Never use dips or abrasives cleaners on gemstones.
- Do not expose your precious gemstone pieces to salt water
or harsh chemicals such as chlorine or detergents. These
chemicals will 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 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. Some gemstones are
brittle and should not be worn when doing household chores
or any other activity where the stone could be hit or damaged.
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