September 30th 2015 10:21 am | by Gemme Couture | Posted in Blog
Soft Gems – Opals, Pearls, Mother of Pearl
Porous gems such as Pearls and opals are particularly delicate and can be damaged by everyday lotions, perfumes, hairspray etc. So do be careful when applying such products. They also need moisture, so being kept in a dark dry place is not the best for them.
Diamonds
Diamonds are the hardest mineral and are very hard to scratch… they can however scratch each other, so be careful when you store them together, try to keep them separate. Jewellery boxes with settings for earrings or rings are best, you can also get pouches with individual sections to store items separately. The box that the pieces will usually come in from the jewelers is best.
You should also make sure that you don’t store diamonds with other gemstones, as it is possible to scratch or cut them.
Sun Damage
According to the GIA “ Just as the sun’s harmful rays can damage our skin, over time and in excess, it can also fade and weaken some gemstones, such as amethyst, kunzite, topaz, and pink conch-shell cameos. Pearls and other delicate materials, like ivory, will bleach under extreme exposure to light. Other gems, especially amber, can darken over time when exposed to too much light”.
Extreme, Excessive Heat
Excessive heat from a hair dryer, intense sunlight or heat while packed and be transported for example, can cause certain gemstones to crack or lose color.
Chlorine and Bleach
These chemicals and others like them are very corrosive and will cause damage to precious metals and gem stones. It is certainly advisable to remove jewellery before going into a swimming pool, washing up and even in the shower.
– The best way to clean your jewellery is with warm water and a soft, used tooth brush.
– For gems such as pearls and opals, it is best to use a wet make up brush and if.
– If jewellery is on a string, once cleaning it, lay it flat on a clean towel to dry, so that the string does not stretch.
– If jewellery is seriously dirty and requires a deep cleaning, take it to a professional.
Always
– Apply lotion, cosmetics, hairspray and perfume before dressing in jewelry.
– When undressing, wipe each piece with a clean soft cloth to remove oils and perspiration.
– Store in a fabric-lined box, separately or individually-wrapped in tissue to prevent scratches
Never
– Never wear jewelry when doing physical work such as housekeeping, gardening or exercise.
– Never expose jewelry to household cleaning products.
– Never expose jewelry to chlorine swimming pools or hot tubs
Top Tips
– Keep your Laboratory Reports in a safe location, separate from jewelry pieces, for security.
– Have your jewelry cleaned and checked by a professional for worn mountings, loose prongs and general condition at least once per year.
– Have white gold re-plated, platinum re-polished and prongs re-tipped as necessary to maintain original condition.
– Have frequently-worn pearls restrung as necessary, with a knot between each pearl to prevent loss if the string breaks.
– Some coloured gemstones should not be exposed to sudden temperature changes; know your pieces and their needs.
– Select daily-wear jewelry that is in harmony with your lifestyle and schedule of activities.
– Treat each piece as if it were a family heirloom, for someday it may be.
