Jewelry Care

Clean your jewelry regularly and it will look as good as new.  Jewelry gets dirty from everyday wear. Natural skin oils and the air alone can oxidize or discolor mountings and create a film on gemstones or behind ring settings, and make them look dull…not to mention the use of lotions, soaps, cosmetics, and fragrances. You can easily clean many of your jewelry pieces.  How and when to clean the jewelry will vary depending on the materials in the piece as well as how often you wear it.

The following methods are typically safe for~ diamonds, sapphires, rubies, amethysts, topaz and aquamarines:

Bath Methods

• Fill a small bowl with warm water and mild household liquid detergent, creating suds. Use an old toothbrush and brush the piece, creating lather. Brush under the stones and in between prongs. Rinse off the pieces with warm water, making sure the sink has a stopper in place. Lightly dry the piece with a soft, lint-free cloth.

• FOR DIAMONDS ONLY:  In a small saucepan, used only for cleaning jewelry, make a solution of 4 parts cold water and non-sudsing household ammonia. Place a clean washcloth in the bottom of the pan. Bring to a boil. Remove the pan from the heat and soak the pieces for ten minutes at the most. Remove the jewelry from the solution and brush gently with an old soft toothbrush. Then, rinse the pieces in plain warm once more and drain them on tissue paper.

Ultrasonic jewelry cleaners typically have a metal cup filled with water and a cleaning solution. High-frequency turbulence cleans the jewelry. Be sure to follow manufacturer’s instructions and warnings for using the machine.

Professional jewelers can recommend the appropriate ultrasonic cleaner for your use. Ultrasonic cleaners are typically only safe for the hardest stones~ diamonds, rubies and sapphires. They may cause damage to emeralds, opals, pearls and other colored gemstones.

The above methods are NOT SAFE for: emeralds, pearls, opals, lapis lazuli, corals, turquoise, onyx, ivory and many other soft gemstones that are prone to crack or become discolored. For these fragile pieces a quick dip in plain lukewarm water is suggested. But you need to do your research before you clean your jewelry.