Jewelry will naturally tarnish over time. Careful cleaning and caring for your jewelry means you will enjoy its beauty and protect your treasured jewelry for generations to come.
BE CAREFUL WITH LIGHT AND HEAT
The sun’s harmful rays, light and heat can affect a colored gemstone’s durability and color. Over time, and in excess, some gemstones can fade or get damaged, such as, amethyst, kunzite, topaz and shell cameos. Pearls and ivory will bleach, and amber will darken over time under extreme exposure to light. Excessive heat and sudden temperature changes may also fracture some gems. Heat can easily remove the natural moisture these gems need to keep their beauty such as Pearls. Opals can turn white or brown, develop tiny cracks, and might lose their play-of-color.
KEEP YOUR JEWELRY AWAY FROM CHEMICALS
Exposure to chemicals can damage or discolor precious metals – gold, silver and platinum – and may harm some colored gems. Even everyday substances like hairspray, lotion, perfume or other cosmetics can contain chemicals that will permanently damage the surface of your pearls and other delicate or porous gems (like turquoise). Fine jewelry should be removed before diving into a chlorinated swimming pool or before using household cleaners. Many of these cleaners contain ammonia, which can be too harsh for delicate gems or vintage jewelry. Chlorine bleach, another common household solvent, can pit or damage gold alloys.
USE ULTRASONIC CLEANERS WITH CAUTION
Not all gems and jewelry can be safely cleaned in ultrasonic cleaners available at most jewelry stores. Ultrasonic cleaners should not be used to clean gemstones like emeralds, which are usually oiled or fracture filled; organic gems such as pearls, coral, ivory, or amber; treated or untreated gems such as tanzanite, feldspar (sunstone & moonstone), fluorite, iolite, kunzite, lapis lazuli, malachite, opal, topaz, turquoise, and zircon. Furthermore, the vibration generated by the machine can sometimes shake gems loose or chip gems that are set with their girdles touching. However, diamonds are hard enough to withstand ultrasonic cleaners, but ensure that the setting is good and strong to secure the stones.
THE SAFEST CLEANING METHODS ARE ALSO THE EASIEST
Soft gems, such as pearls, on the other hand, can easily scratch. Use a new, clean makeup brush and warm, soapy water (no detergents) to softly clean your pearls, and other jewelry pieces mounted with colored gemstones. Lay a strand of pearls on a towel to dry. The wet silk thread can stretch − and attract dirt − so don’t touch your strand until it is completely dry. Pearls worn often should be restrung once a year.
SAFELY STORE YOUR JEWELRY
Proper jewelry storage is often overlooked. Jewelry should never be tossed into a drawer or on top of a dresser − that’s asking for scratches and damaged gems.
Most jewelry pieces come in a box or pouch from the store, which is a perfect place to keep them. Sterling silver, for example, should be kept in an anti-tarnish bag or cloth. To protect your jewelry, pieces should be individually placed in a pouch or within a soft lined box to stop them being scratched or tangled. Ideally store your jewelry in a dark, cool and dry place. Pearls and opals draw moisture from the air, so storing your opal or pearl jewelry in a dry area, such as a safe deposit box, can sometimes do more harm than good. When travelling, protect your jewelry pieces from scratches or other impact damage by padding them well in the jewelry pouch. Ensure that your solitaire diamonds (earrings, etc.) are separated from each other, as only a diamond can scratch another diamond.
LOOKING AFTER YOUR JEWELRY
Many factors can influence the condition of jewelry. Therefore you should make sure that your jewelry is properly cleaned, repaired and stored. Always protect your jewelry from water, knocks, scratches, chemicals, sunlight and heat/cold to minimize these effects. Ideally, store your jewelry in its soft lined box or pouch and try to keep pieces apart, so that they don’t rub together or tangle up. Take care to avoid extreme humidity or heat as this may cause tarnishing. This will keep them looking their best.
Adapted from: GIA
