Jewelry Care and Cleaning

Most gemstones are fairly durable; however, some require special attention. A general rule of thumb: Take off any jewelry when working in the kitchen, garden, or cleaning.

General Jewelry Care

• Keep your fine jewelry items from contact with one another to avoid abrasion.
• Keep your jewelry looking new by cleaning it regularly. Soap and oils from fingerprints can significantly detract from the beauty of your diamonds and fine jewelry.
• Apply makeup and cosmetics prior to putting on your jewelry. Chemicals in these substances can often harm the look of your gold and damage pearls.
• Avoid wearing jewelry in swimming pools. Chlorine can react with metals causing color and structural damage.
• Fine jewelry items should not be worn while engaged in activities where they would be subject to any form of brushing or hard contact. A strong blow from the side could dislodge a gemstone from its mounting. If you decide to wear your jewelry while gardening, please exercise caution.
• Cultured pearl necklaces should be strung with knots between each bead. Please keep all pearls away from hair spray, perfume, and cosmetics.
• It is recommended that all jewelry be inspected semi-annually or after any sharp blow to stones or mounting.

Jewelry Cleaning

Cleaning your jewelry is the most important step in keeping your fine jewels as bright as the day you received them!
Ultrasonic Cleaning

Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Amethyst, Citrine, and Created Gemstones - Ultrasonic cleaning machines are perfect for these gemstones. Please be sure to keep items from touching one another while cleaning. Check all stones after cleaning for a tight fit in the mounting. If you do not have a cleaning machine, commercial jewelry cleaner solution or water mixed with a small amount of dish washing soap works fine with a soft cloth or brush to remove any fingerprints. Gemstones that are not translucent, such as pearls, opals or onyx, should, as a general rule, not be cleaned in an ultrasonic cleaner or cleaned with an abrasive or ammonia based cleaner.

Specific Gemstone Care

AMETHYST
Amethyst, like its cousin, Citrine, is an extremely durable stone that will withstand normal cleaning, but avoid direct heat.

AQUAMARINE
Do not use an ultra-sonic machine; avoid heat as it may cause discoloration.

BLUE TOPAZ
Care should be taken when cleaning a topaz of any color. Do not use an ultrasonic machine. Avoid prolonged exposure to light and heat, as well as sharp blows or sudden temperature changes.

CITRINE
As quartz, citrine is able to withstand normal cleaning but avoid direct heat.

EMERALD
Because emeralds are oiled and usually included to some degree, this stone should not be placed in an ultrasonic cleaner. Emeralds should be cleaned gently with a small brush and lukewarm water. Avoid sudden temperature changes and sharp blows.

GARNET
Garnet is an extremely durable stone and therefore will withstand normal cleaning.

OPAL
Opal is a soft stone that requires care when cleaning. It should not be placed in the ultrasonic cleaner, nor should you use an ammonia based cleaner on the stone. Clean with a soft cloth or occasionally a combination of a mild non-detergent soap (such as Woolite®) and warm water with a soft brush.

PEARL
After each wearing, clean with a soft cloth. Periodically clean with very mild non-detergent soap (Woolite®); lay pearls on a clean towel and dry completely before wear. Never use ultrasonic or steam cleaners. Use only commercial jewelry cleaners that are made specifically for pearls. Avoid contact with perfumes, cosmetics and household cleaners, and return your strand to your jeweler for periodic professional cleaning and restringing.

PERIDOT
Do not use an ultra-sonic machine. Avoid sharp blows and sudden temperature changes

RUBY
Rubies are fairly durable stones; however, the filling process often used on rubies requires special care when cleaning the stones. This enhancement technique may wear over time if treated harshly or exposed to strong solvents or abrasives. Avoid direct heat.

SAPPHIRE
Because the heat treating process used is permanent, sapphires are an unusually durable stone. Normal care in cleaning is used, but avoid direct heat.

TANZANITE
Clean with mild soap and water; do not use an ultrasonic machine. Avoid sudden temperature changes and sharp blows.