I've noticed lack of practical advises concerning jewelry care. Buyers of our jewelry never reported any malfunction, even after many years of wearing. There are two reasons: First, we don't use cheapest components and we do not order mass-produced garbage bijoux and than "enhance" it with few details as many "designers" today do. Second reason is that we always inform our buyers how to treat their adornments.
This little list of jewelry care commandments will help your little treasure keep its beauty for long time, it applies to both gold, silver and bijoux accessories.
WEARING JEWELRY
~Do not wear jewelry while doing kitchen work, gardening, cleaning the house and other common tasks; because exposure to chemicals or cleaning fluids can make physical damage and chemical reactions in contact with metal.
FIRST MAKEUP, THEN JEWELRY
~Cosmetics, hairspray, perfumes and lotion can contain chemicals that can often damage jewelry. Jewelry can release color on your skin/clothes, or get bad oxide stains- so, NEVER put perfume while wearing necklace. Put necklace on after perfumed place on skin is dry (Perfumes contain high concentration of alcohol that can melt color, plastic, just like acetone from nail polish removers).
IN WATER
~Remove jewelry before entering the pool or spa, and before showering. Chlorinated water can react with the metals. Also, remove jewelry before entering sauna- your jewelry will be heated to the same temperature as air (up to 90 degrees Celsius) and you could get burned.
*Wear jewelry on the beach carefully. The Sun and salty water can damage it, you could easily lost it in water and of course- it will leave white marks if you intend to get tanned (You can keep your seashell bra on.
) SPORTS
~Sweat can react with metals, and if you are training contact sports please remove jewelry before training/game to avoid damaging jewelry, or getting yourself or other people hurt.
STORING JEWELRY
~Store your jewelry in a container and prevent pieces from moving around. Fabric-lined jewelry boxes are ideal. When travelling, use a case made of fabric or leather to protect your jewelry.
CLEANING
~ Silver/gold jewelry should be cleaned ONLY by warm water and special cleaning cloths which contain appropriate chemicals. Use of tissue or paper towels can cause scratches because of fibers in these products. Be careful with use of the chemical cleaning products because they can damage gemstones and remove complete layer of metal.
~Feather/lace/velvet and other fabrics should not be washed. But if you must, first consult with designer/read declaration in case it was made with non waterproof materials and methods. A little bit of ordinary gentle hair shampoo and cold water can help cleaning, but do not sink and leave jewelry in water for more than 5 minutes! Rinse well.
~Pearls/mother of pearl/gemstones/enamel - if you want to clean these, leave that to professional goldsmith/gemologist. There are special liquids for cleaning those.
~Complicated designs, with lots of small gems, details, combination with wood- again, take your jewelry to professional. Wood should not be cleaned with water!
REPAIR
Do not try to repair by yourself! Various glues will not react well or hold metal, can damage plastic/color and will leave layers that can make true repair with melted metal impossible. And of course, if you notice cracks or that gem is not firmly attached, take your precious to the professional as soon as possible.
I hope that these suggestions will be useful to you. May the shine of your treasure never fade!
N.
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