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Fine jewelry,
like anything precious responds to care which will extend
the lifeof the jewelry and enhance your pleasure in wearing
it.Here are some guidelines for the proper care of your fine
jewelry:
- Put
on your jewelry, especially cultured pearls, after
you apply your makeup, cologne or perfume.
- Remove
jewelry, especially rings, before heavy yard work,
home cleaning, working on heavy equipment or when
exposed to chlorine, as in a spa or pool.
- Store
your jewelry in a clean, dry location. Keep your
jewelry in a fabric-lined case, or in a box with
dividers. Never toss your jewelry items together.
Hard stones can scratch softer stones (and each
other).
- After
wearing, wipe your gemstone jewelry with a clean,
soft damp cloth. This will help to remove perspiration
and makeup from the item.
- Do
not expose your jewelry to salt water or harsh
chemicals such as detergents, ammonia and chlorine.
These chemicals can slowly erode the finish and
polish of the gemstones. Hair spray, perspiration
and perfumes can cause jewelry to become dull.
- Of
all jewelry items, rings (especially ones worn
constantly) collect dirt, dust and soap behind
the stone. Soak them in water with a gentle detergent,
brushing carefully behind the stone being careful
not to scratch the band.
- Even
diamonds can shatter with a single well-placed
blow. Rubies and sapphires are also tough gems
but even they too, can chip if hit sharply. Avoid
wearing all jewelry if doing heavy work, strenuous
exercise, or if you are coming in contact with
chemicals like chlorine, which can damage the settings.
- Go
to your local Princess Jewelers at least once a
year and have us check your ring and other
precious pieces for loose prongs and wear of mountings.
- Prongs
and other metal components of your jewelry will
weaken with normal wear and tear, and should be
examined by a professional jeweler once a year.
While doing so, they can also clean the item and
re-polish it for you.
- Be
very careful when preparing to wash your hands.
If you place a ring near the edge of the sink,
it may fall down the drain. Never use a detergent
while wearing or cleaning a gemstone ring. A very
mild soap is acceptable.
- There
are many types of small jewelry cleaning machines
on the market which can clean jewelry in a matter
of minutes using what is called: "Ultrasonic
cleaning"; by means of high frequency sound.
Please be careful. Ultrasonic cleaning can damage
some jewelry.
Some
cleaning methods for your fine jewelry:
The
Detergent Bath
Mix some mild liquid detergent in a bowl with
warm water. Carefully brush the pieces gently
with a
toothbrush while they are in the suds,
being careful to avoid the settings and bands so you don’t
scratch them. Transfer the jewelry to a wire strainer, and rinse
them under
warm water. Pat dry with a lint-free cloth.
The Cold Water Soak
Mix equal parts cold water and household ammonia in a cup
or small bowl. Let the diamond sit for 30 minutes, and
then gently
brush around
the back and front of the mounting with a small brush, being
careful to avoid any bands or settings so you don’t scratch them.
Dip in the solution again, and set on paper to drain. Rinsing is
not
necessary.
The Quick Dip Method
Buy any of the brand-name liquid jewelry cleaners and follow
the directions.
Ultrasonic Cleaners
These cleaners use ultrasonic sound to dislodge dirt while the
jewelry sits in a detergent/water bath. The process is very fast,
but certain
stones should NOT be used in these cleaners (like Emeralds).
If you’re
not sure if you should use one, consult one of our jewelers. When
in doubt, leave it out!
 Care
of DIAMONDS
Diamonds are subject to soiling and dust, and having films left on
them from lotions, powders, soaps, and natural skin oils. To keep
their natural glow and brilliance, they need regular cleaning. Clean
your diamonds regularly using a commercial jewelry cleaner, a mix
of ammonia and water or mild detergent. Dip the jewelry into the
solution and use a soft brush to dislodge dust or dirt from under
the setting.Since diamonds are susceptible to skin oils, avoid touching
your clean diamonds with your fingers. Handle all clean jewelry by
its edges.
 Care
of EMERALDS
All Emeralds on the market contain small surface-reaching
fractures and openings that occur during the crystal's
growth. The visibility of the inclusions is reduced by
filling them. Natural resin or wax type materials are
used to fill the inclusions, to reduce their visibility.
Traditionally
oils were used, but the resin or wax is a natural substance
with more of an almost permanent treatment life. Because
of their natural imperfections, Emerald enhancements
are an accepted trade practice that do not adversely
affect
the performance and durability of the gemstone. You can
expect most Emeralds will have some type of enhancement. Emeralds
should never be cleaned with anything more than a soft
lint-free cloth because of their soft nature, and to insure
that you don’t damage any of the fillers. NEVER
use an ultrasonic cleaner with Emeralds, and avoid household
chemicals. Fillers can leak out or change, so you should
have them examined every few years by our gemologist
to
see if it needs to be re-treated.
 Care
of SAPPHIRES
Sapphires are second only to diamond in their ability
to resist scratching, but since no gem is invulnerable, avoid
abrasive substances and sharp blows, which can damage even
the toughest gem.Because of their hardness, Sapphire jewelry
can be cleaned in almost any way. Warm, soapy water is the
most preferred cleaning method, although ultrasonic cleaning
and steamers are acceptable as well. If you have a fracture
in your sapphire or own a star sapphire, do not use mechanical
cleaning methods.
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