Caring for your Gemstones & Jewelry

Some tips on maintaining your fine jewelry:

· Check prongs - Make sure all prongs are securely holding your stones in place. Having prongs checked and re-tipped can save your stones.

· Cleaning - Dirt is an abrasive and will wear out your jewelry faster. Regular cleaning will keep your stones , pearls and chains shining bright.

· Stone tightening –If your stones wiggle or move in their setting, they need to be tightened.

· Pearl Restringing –Gaps in-between your pearls can be unsightly, once you see that, it’s time to restring.

· Check clasps & chain ends - Functioning clasps & secure ends are important. Your chain is only as strong as it’s weakest link.

If you have any questions on stone care or maintenance please call us for additional information.

Caring for your Gemstones:

Diamonds are crystallized carbon, the hardest gemstone.  They are a 10 on the Mohs’ scale. This does not mean they can not be  damaged . A hard hit at the right spot can crack or chip a diamond. Clean with household   ammonia to maintain brightness. An Ultrasonic cleaner is best but soaking in a closed container overnight will do the trick.

 Sapphire & Ruby are both corundum. They are a 9 on the Mohs’ scale. Like diamond they are an acceptable stone for every day wear. They can also be cleaned with household ammonia in an ultrasonic or closed container.

Emerald & Aquamarine are in the Beryl group. They are 7.5-8 on the Mohs’ scale. They are a brittle stone and care should be taken when wearing. It’s best to have them cleaned by a professional in a mild solution.  At home you can soak them in a mild detergent like Dawn.

Drusy means crystal. There are many types of stones that will  crystallize. Such as quartz, salamoline (black), calbolti-calcite (pink),  uvarovite (green),  & pyrite. The hardness of drusy varies from 3-7 on the Mohs’ scale.  Rings should be worn with great care. A pendant or earrings will last if cleaned properly. Never put Drusy in an ultrasonic or harsh solution. Use liquid Dawn and water and brush gently with a soft toothbrush. It’s best to have it lightly steamed by your jeweler.

Opal  stands for loyalty & hope. Opal always contains water. This is what gives the stone its opalescence. It also gives the stone its   fragile nature. Opal is a 5.5-6.5 on the Mohs’ scale. Great care should be taken when wearing and storing opal.  You should consider wearing  an opal ring only when dressing up, not for every day wear. A     pendant or earrings can be worn more often because they are  less likely to be damaged .  You should store your opals in a soft pouch away from other jewelry. Always have your opals cleaned by a jewelry professional. Never put opals in an ultrasonic or ammonia based cleaner. At home you can use a polishing cloth to brighten up the gold & opal. When opals are properly taken care of they will last a lifetime.

Pearls are the first gemstone known to man. The oyster secrets calcium carbonate which makes up the nacre on the pearl. This substance is only 3-4 on the Mohs’ scale. Although it will scratch easily, pearls are extremely compact and it is difficult to crush them. Pearls are a porous substance so any type of harsh soap or chemical will diminish the luster. Store your pearls in a soft pouch away from other jewelry. Clean pearls with a soft cloth after each use to take off any perfumes or lotions. Never use an ammonia based solution to clean. There is an organic liquid cleaner made by “Sunshine Products”  that is safe for pearls.

Jade is the eternal jewel.  Jade is a stone meant to be passed down for many
generations. It is considered good luck to own jade and even better luck to receive it. Many Chinese believe that the longer one owns a piece of jade, the finer it becomes in texture and color. It is 6.5-7 on the Mohs’ hardness scale.  This means it can be scratched, but not very easily because of its tough crystalline structure. The best way to clean Jade is with a mild detergent or a cloth.  A harsh cleaner will diminish the luster of the stone.