How To Clean And Care For Your Jewelry

Cleaning Diamond Jewelry

Hand lotions, hair styling and everyday grime all leave enough of a film on your diamond to keep it from looking its best. And if you wait too long between cleanings, those materials can accumulate into a thick layer of gunk on the back of your diamond, blocking light and making the diamond appear dull and lifeless.

Diamonds are the hardest substance known, but that doesn't mean we can bring them back to life with any old cleanser, so use care when it's time to make your diamonds sparkle.

Appropriate Storage

The key to protecting your jewelry is not only in how you wear your jewelry, but also how it is stored.

Give it some space!

When storing you jewelry, you should give each piece its own space. Metal can scratch or scuff other metal. Diamonds and other hard gemstones that come in contact with metal or each other can destroy luster, or cause more serious damage. For this reason, protect each piece by storing it in its own individual container or compartment. Or, if you prefer to keep all your jewelry together in one big jewelry box, place each individual piece in a pouch or a self-sealing plastic bag.

Fasten the Clasp: For bracelets and necklaces, always fasten the clasp when storing. This will help prevent any tangling that might occur.

Caring For Your Pearls

Even cultured pearls with thicker coatings are more fragile than other gemstones, so you must handle them carefully to keep them in the best condition.

• Your pearls will stay cleaner if you put them on after you've applied your makeup and perfume.
• Be sure to take off your pearl rings before you apply hand and body creams.
• Wipe your pearls with a soft, lint-free cloth as soon as you take them off. The cloth can be dampened with water or it can be dry. If damp, allow the pearls to air dry before putting them away.
• Dirty pearls can be cleaned with a mild soap and water solution (try Ivory Flakes).
• Never clean your pearls with solutions that contain ammonia or harsh detergents.
• Don't put pearl jewelry in an ultrasonic cleaner.
• Don't use abrasive cleaners or rub pearls with abrasive cloth. Both can wear away the nacre coating, leaving you with a plain looking bead.

Storing Pearls

Don't store your pearls with other jewelry, because they can be scratched easily when metal or gemstones rub against them. Find a special slot in your jewelry box for the pearls, or keep them in a soft bag made from chamois or another non-abrasive material. Your fine pearl necklaces should be re strung periodically so that you're sure the silk or nylon cord holding them is in good shape