Jewelry Care
Jewelry should be worn and enjoyed! It should be handled carefully and thoughtfully. Here are some helpful tips that I recommend in the caring and attention to your jewelry, which will help promote the longevity of your jewelry.
It is recommended to remove all jewelry when exercising, sleeping, and showering. I would also advise removing jewelry when gardening, performing an intense activity, or working around the house.
Mild dishwashing soap, like Dawn, is recommended. This is safe for sterling silver and gold but do not use on pearls! This mild detergent can remove residue from your jewelry and still leave it bright and shiny when finished cleaning. I also recommend purchasing a soft baby sized toothbrush to clean your jewelry.
Caring for gold jewelry with/without diamonds:
Use warm soapy water in a bowl. Let your item sit for 15 minutes or so. Use a soft baby sized toothbrush to gently scrub the metal, making sure to get the underside of setting. Rinse clean, thoroughly dry, and polish with a jewelry polishing cloth.
Caring for sterling silver jewelry:
Did you know that sterling silver maintains it's finish longer the more you wear it? The oils in your skin can help prevent your sterling silver from oxidizing. The best way to clean sterling silver is by using a jewelry polishing cloth. Be careful if using another method to clean, as sterling silver is considered a soft metal and can scratch quite easily.
*Freshly cleaned and polished jewelry should be stored and sealed in an airtight plastic bag to maintain the finish. This will help prevent tarnish when you are not wearing.
Caring for stones:
I work with several different types of natural stones. Each natural stone has a different level of hardness on the Mohs Scale. The Mohs scale helps to identify what makes a gem durable. The more durable a gem is, the more suitable it is for use in frequently worn jewelry. The red (rubies), white (diamonds) and blue stones (sapphires) are the hardest and will resist scratching and chipping the best. Some natural stones, such as opals and pearls, are quite soft and require extra attention.
A good rule of thumb is to avoid submerging your natural stones in water for long periods of time and making sure that you are storing them in a cool, dry, and shaded place.
Here are some tips in caring for your natural stones:
Turquoise: Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight and heat. Do not submerge in water for long periods of time. Use warm soapy water and your fingertips to clean. Rinse clean and thoroughly dry.
Pink Coral: Use warm soapy water and your fingertips to clean. Rinse clean and thoroughly dry. Pink coral is very soft and should be treated with great care. It should never be soaked and do not use an ultrasonic cleaner.
Lapis: Use warm soapy water and fingertips to clean. Rinse and thoroughly dry.
Garnet: Use warm soapy water and a soft baby sized toothbrush to gently scrub. Rinse and thoroughly dry.
Caring for 14K gold filled jewelry:
Gold-filled should only need occasional cleaning. It rarely tarnishes. All the gold content is on the surface of the metal, and since gold doesn’t tarnish, neither should gold filled. Tarnishing can happen under extreme circumstances (intense exposure to sulfide will do it). However, jewelry worn on the body often accumulates other grease and grime from normal wear. If you need to clean your gold filled jewelry, use warm soapy water and a soft baby sized toothbrush. Rinse and thoroughly dry. Polish with a jewelry polishing cloth.
Caring for brass jewelry:
Brass will most likely darken and patina with wear depending on your body's chemistry. For some people brass darkens quite quickly, while for others it will remain shiny and gold in appearance even with regular daily wear. Brass can occasionally leave markings on your skin, especially with rings. A helpful tip for brass rings is to apply a thin layer of clear nail polish on the inside of the ring. This will help to minimize any markings that may occur on your finger(s).
A great way to clean your brass jewelry is by using a soft baby sized toothbrush and toothpaste. This will help to polish and remove any tarnish. Another useful method is to soak the piece in Coca-Cola for no more than 15 minutes. Rinse with warm water (add some soap if needed), thoroughly dry, and polish with a jewelry polishing cloth.
*Freshly cleaned and polished jewelry should be stored and sealed in an airtight plastic bag to maintain the finish. This will help prevent tarnish when you are not wearing.