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Keeping your jewelry clean will help it maintain its value and help it last longer. Here are a few tips from 1st Class Gems on caring for your jewelry:
- Take pictures of your valuable jewelry, one piece per picture. Get an appraisal of each piece as well. Keep the appraisal certificate along with the picture in a safe deposit box. This will protect you in case of theft or fire and will make the insurance recovery process much faster and easier.
- Always keep your jewelry separated. A good jewelry box will help. If you must put jewelry together in a box or bag, simply wrap each piece in a couple layers of tissue paper.
- Make your own jewelry cleaning solution. Mix one part ammonia with
six parts of water. Or, mix one part Woolite™ with six parts
of water to use on most of your fine pieces. Please refer to the chart
below for specific information.
- Soak your jewelry for a few minutes in one of the solutions above. Keep items separated, as always, to avoid scratches. Use a very soft brush to remove any build-up from beneath stones or in intricate areas. Rinse carefully in lukewarm water and use a soft cloth to dry, one without fibers which could snag a prong or become lodged in jewelry. You can also pat dry or air dry.
- A chamois cloth is great for cleaning any piece of jewelry safely!
- General things to avoid for good jewelry care: saltwater, chlorine,
household cleaners, solvents, alcohol, extremes in temperature, direct
sunlight, dishwashing, hand or skin lotions, make-up, grease, hair
spray, perfume, and perspiration. Stay away from pools and tanning
booths, too!
- Be sure to remove jewelry before doing any yard work, housework,
exercise, or any other activity that could put your jewelry at risk.
Avoid bumps and sharp blows to your jewelry.
- Have your jeweler check your jewelry annually for loose stones or bent prongs.
Here's a table showing some properties and care instructions for specific gemstones:
| Stone |
Hardness |
Care Instructions |
Avoid... |
| Amethyst |
7 |
jewelry
cleaners, soap, jewelry cloth |
direct heat, saltwater, chlorine, detergents, steaming, boiling, ultrasonic |
| Black Onyx |
6.5 - 7 |
jewelry cloth |
sharp
blows and scratching |
| Citrine |
7 |
jewelry
cleaners, soap, jewelry cloth |
direct heat, steaming, boiling, ultrasonic |
| Diamond |
10 |
jewelry
cleaners, soap, jewelry cloth, ultrasonic |
chlorinated water, household cleaners, chlorine bleach |
| Emerald |
7.5 - 8 |
soap, jewelry cloth, store in humidity, professional oiling every 3 years |
saltwater, alcohol, chlorine, solvents, temperature extremes, steaming, chemicals, ultrasonic, boiling |
| Garnet |
7 - 7.5 |
jewelry
cleaners, soap, jewelry cloth |
temperature extremes, steaming, boiling, ultrasonic |
| Gold |
|
jewelry cleaners, soap |
household cleaners, chlorine, excessive soap |
| Opal |
5 - 6.5 |
jewelry cloth or dampened cloth, store in humidity, |
ammonia, airtight storage, extreme temperatures, direct sunlight, dish washing, heat, chemicals, ultrasonic, steaming, boiling, jewelry cleaners, soap |
| Rhodolite |
7 - 7.5 |
jewelry
cleaners, soap, jewelry cloth |
temperature extremes, steaming, boiling, ultrasonic |
| Rubellite |
7 - 7.5 |
commercial
cleansers and mild soap solution |
steaming,
boiling and ultrasonic |
| Ruby |
9 |
steaming, ultrasonic, jewelry cleaners, soap, jewelry cloths |
boiling, direct heat, abrasives, solvents |
| Sapphire |
9 |
steaming, ultrasonic, jewelry cleaners, soap, jewelry cloths |
boiling, saltwater, chlorine, detergents, direct heat |
| Tanzanite |
6 - 7 |
soap, jewelry cloth |
temperature extremes, ultrasonic, steaming, boiling, jewelry cleaners |
| Topaz |
8 |
soap, jewelry cloth |
direct light & heat, saltwater, chlorine, detergents, temperature extremes, ultrasonic, steaming, boiling, jewelry cleaners |
| Tourmaline |
7 - 7.5 |
jewelry
cleaners, soap, jewelry cloth |
steaming, boiling, ultrasonic |
| Zircon |
6 - 7.5 |
steaming, ultrasonic, jewelry cleaners, soap, jewelry cloths |
abrasives, boiling |
Read more about understanding gemstone quality, caring for opals, birthstones, and the interpretive meaning of each gemstone.
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1stClassGems.com
1402 Lake Tapps Pkwy. E. Ste. 104 #331
Auburn, WA 98092-8157
Local Phone: 206-228-5423
Toll-Free: 1-866-GOT-GEMS (1-866-468-4367)
Fax: 253-333-0996 Attn: #331
E-mail: info@1stclassgems.com
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