CARE & MAINTENANCE OF YOUR JEWELRY

• Tips for Protecting Your Jewelry - Fine jewelry should not be worn 24/7. Also avoid wearing your jewelry when you are cooking, cleaning, doing yard work or exercising if you want to maintain its like-new appearance. The chlorine found in swimming pools can affect the structural durability of white gold and reduce the luster of softer gemstones like lapis and turquoise. Avoid wearing your fine jewelry to the beach. Sand can scratch the metal and affect the luster of most gems. Use your best judgment and when it doubt, take off your jewelry and store it safely.
  
  Stones, even the hardest varieties like diamonds, rubies and sapphires, can get scratched, nicked and chipped over time. We recommend having a small tray or jewelry holder in the kitchen or bathroom so you can take off your things, store them safely and always know where to find them.
  
  
• Tips for Cleaning Your Jewelry - The best way to keep jewelry looking like new is to keep it clean. You can always bring your jewelry into our store for a free cleaning and check-up. At home, use a mild dishwashing detergent, and warm water to remove dirt, soap, hand cream residue and body oils. If needed, you can also use a soft toothbrush to remove stubborn dirt. Diamonds, rubies and sapphires, and other single-crystal gems can be cleaned with a touch of ammonia in water to remove all films and add extra sparkle.
  
  It's important to clean your jewelry at least once a month. Clean the gems as well as the setting. If the area underneath any faceted gem is dirty, it will affect the stone's brilliance and transparency. New mini steam cleaners, which can be purchased for as little as $100, are particularly suited to keeping your diamonds clean and brilliant.
  
  Porous and opaque gemstones like opals, lapis lazuli, turquoise and malachite, should never be cleaned using an ultrasonic cleaner, ammonia or any chemical solution, which can build up and discolor the stones. Simply wipe them clean gently with a soft, moist cloth. Clean your pearls, coral and amber jewelry in the same fashion. Be careful when applying hairspray, cosmetics or perfume, which can damage these softer gems over time.
  
  Home ultrasonic cleaners are another option but they must be used properly. If you have any doubt, please bring your jewelry into the store for a free cleaning and check-up.
  
  
• Tips for Storing and Preserving Your Jewelry - Proper care is your best defense against expensive repairs. Store each piece of jewelry either in a separate compartment of a jewelry box, in a small plastic bag, box, case or silk pouch. If you are not careful about storage, the harder gemstones can scratch the softer ones. Because almost every gem is much harder than it's setting, they can scratch gold, silver and platinum settings. When you are purchasing a piece of fine jewelry, ask your salesperson about proper storage. At our store, we will always provide you with either a case or silk pouch free of charge.