Jewelry Care and Cleaning
Keep it sparkling!
Diamonds and other fine jewelry will bring years of wearing pleasure with proper care and cleaning - and occasional inspection by a professional jeweler. There are also some special precautions to take with diamonds and more delicate gems like pearls and emeralds. Good common sense is your best guide, but here are some helpful tips to keep all your diamond and fine jewelry in tip-top shape.
All Jewelry
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Avoid wearing diamonds or jewelry while in contact with household chemicals, such as chlorine bleach. They can discolor or damage your jewelry mountings.
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Take off your diamonds or jewelry before doing rough manual work or playing sports. Stones could be jarred loose or chipped by a hard blow.
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When you're not wearing your jewelry, be careful that pieces do not tumble against each other to avoid scratching or dulling. Ideally, store each piece in its own soft cloth pouch.
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At least once a year, have a jeweler professionally clean and inspect your diamonds. Most jewelers offer cleaning and inspection as a complimentary service to give you a lifetime of wearing pleasure. At Shane Co., twice-a-year cleaning and inspection also guarantees the workmanship of your purchase for life.
Diamonds
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Clean your diamond jewelry regularly at home in an ultrasonic cleaner or by hand. To make your own jewelry cleaning solution, mix one part ammonia to six parts water.
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Gently scrub the diamond piece with a small soft toothbrush to loosen dirt and restore the diamond's brilliance. Be careful not to scratch the metal setting. Always rinse after cleaning.
Rubies, Sapphires and Garnets
To clean this gemstone jewelry at home, use a lukewarm solution of water and mild dishwashing soap, or one part ammonia to six parts water. Keep your gems brilliant by gently brushing them with a small bristle brush, especially underneath where dirt collects. Rinse and dry.
Emeralds
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Because emeralds have delicate structures, never place emerald jewelry in an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner. Emeralds are adversely affected by heat and chemicals. They are best cleaned professionally by a jeweler. However, you may wipe your emerald pieces with a soft cloth and clean them gently with a soft toothbrush and mild soapy water.
Blue Topaz
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Blue topaz is hard, but not tough. Stones irradiated longer to achieve a darker blue tend to be more brittle. Avoid subjecting your topaz jewelry to extreme heat or sharp blows. You can clean your blue topaz jewelry using one part ammonia to six parts water or in an electrosonic jewelry cleaning machine.
Amethysts
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Like any gemstone, take care not to subject your amethyst jewelry to sharp blows. You can clean your amethyst jewelry using one part ammonia to six parts water or in an electrosonic jewelry cleaning machine.
Pearls
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The best way to help your pearls maintain their luster is to wear them regularly. Your body's natural oils aid in keeping the pearls' beauty.
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When necessary, wipe your pearls with a damp, soft cloth. Do not use oils or other treatments.
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Never clean your pearls with jewelry cleaner or in an ultrasonic jewelry cleaning machine! A harsh cleanser can wear away the nacre.
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Have your pearls restrung every two to five years if worn regularly, or when the silk becomes dirty. Take your pearls to a professional jeweler for cleaning prior to restringing, which will add to the beauty and long life of your pearls.
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Keep your pearls away from hairspray, lotion and perfume. Chemicals in these products can damage the pearls.
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Make your pearls the last item you put on when getting dressed and the first item you take off.
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Pearls should be worn alone. If worn with other jewelry, such as a gold chain or other necklace, they may be scratched or damaged.
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Store your pearls separately so they won't be damaged by other jewelry.
Gold Jewelry
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Proper care of your gold jewelry will assure a long-lasting glow. Gold is tarnish-resistant, but it can get dirty or smudged.
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Every so often, clean your gold jewelry with a mild detergent or ammonia solution (one part ammonia to six parts water).
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Do not use any kind of abrasive that might scratch the gold.
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Use a soft brush to gently clean intricate filigree designs and under stones.
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Rinse and wipe jewelry after cleaning
Platinum Jewelry
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Like gold, platinum jewelry does not tarnish.
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Simply clean your platinum pieces with a soft cloth and mild detergent or ammonia solution (one part ammonia to six parts water) to maintain their luster.
Silver Jewelry
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Unlike the other precious metals, silver will tarnish because of a reaction to elements in the air. However, the metal does not deteriorate.
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You can remove the black film with silver polish.
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The most common way to avoid tarnish is to wear your jewelry regularly.
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