Caring For Fine Jewellery

To ensure that your jewellery is always 'ready to wear', gently wipe skin oils or make-up from its surface after each use. A 100% soft cotton cloth is recommended for the job. Materials other than soft, 100% cotton may contain fibres that are actually hard enough to damage the surface of your jewellery when used to polish. After cleaning the jewellery, it is best to wrap it in jewellery tissue or tarnish-proof cloth and store it in a soft bag or jewellery box. Protect chains from knotting by re-fastening the clasp and try to avoid bending chains when storing them. This especially applies to Omega style or Snake style chains, once one of these styles has a 'crimp' it cannot be removed. Store your silver in a cool, dry place that is preferably airtight, to avoid oxidation. Avoid direct overexposure to artificial light or sunlight for long periods. Don't store directly on wood, which often contains acids that can affect silver's surface.

POLISHING CLOTHS can work wonders and keep jewellery looking fabulous for years. Jewellery Care Cloths are available at all Silverstone Jewellery locations. Generally the cloths are used in two steps. Begin by gently rubbing the jewellery surface with the inside of the cloth which is treated with solution specifically to loosen tarnish and brighten the lustre of precious metals. The inner white cloth is followed by a soft rubbing with the outside cloth to remove any excess fingerprints, light scratches and leave the jewellery shining.

Sterling silver care

Sterling Silver will remain lustrous and tarnish free for longer periods of time if it is wrapped in jewellery tissue and then sealed (with as little air as possible) in a Ziploc plastic bag. Oxygen in the air actually triggers the chemical reaction that causes sterling silver to tarnish or oxidize. If gently wiping your silver jewellery with a soft cloth doesn't sufficiently remove light grease, dirt or fingerprints, a gentle soaking method can be used. Place the item to be cleaned in a 'bath' of half a cup of warm water with a drop or two of mild liquid soap. Allow it to soak for a couple of minutes and then thoroughly rinse in clear water. Dry the jewellery with a soft, 100% cotton cloth. 'Soaking' should only be done with extreme caution if the jewellery is set with pearls, turquoise, lapis lazuli, opal or amber. The polish on these gems is very vulnerable and can easily be marred.

Tarnished sterling silver can be cleaned with a non-abrasive silver polish and a soft 100% cotton cloth. Always avoid the gemstones when using silver polish. 'Soft' gemstones such as pearls, turquoise, lapis lazuli, amber, and opal are especially vulnerable. The polish can easily remove the lustre from these gems. In severe cases, Sterling Silver Dips are also available as a tarnish removal agent. Simply 'dip' the jewellery item to be cleaned and then rinse thoroughly in clear water. Sometimes a gentle brushing is required to remove tarnish from recessed areas. Again, as with 'mmmsoaking' or 'polishing' never 'dip' any of the aforementioned soft gemstones or jewellery with silk thread (such as a strand of pearls). Their surfaces are not durable and their finish will not stand up to the chemicals in the Sterling Silver Dips.

Fine jewellery & chemicals

Bleach is 'the enemy' of all jewellery. Always remove your rings and jewellery before using bleach or any cleaning product that contains bleach! This advice is also true for chlorine products used to disinfect swimming pools and hot tubs. These chemicals actually breakdown the metals and can leave jewellery surfaces irreparably pitted and damaged. Your jewellery also needs to be kept from contact with other common household chemicals: denatured alcohol, ammonia, acetone and petroleum based products. They should all be avoided for the potential damage they can cause to your jewellery.

Special care for special gems

Many gemstones are fragile and require special care to maintain their intrinsic beauty.

OPALS are a very 'particular' gemstone. Their chemical composition contains a lot of water and this renders them vulnerable. Never immerse an opal in an ultrasonic cleaner, expose it to chemicals (including dish or hand soap) and avoid extreme temperatures or sudden temperature changes (which can cause cracking). Leaving an opal in direct sunlight can cause the gems color to change or 'haze' the stone. Ideally opals should be placed in settings that protect the stone from any potential contact.

PEARLS are the gift of the sea. The outer lustrous coating of a pearl (the nacre) is susceptible to damage. Pearls must be protected from scratching as their surface is easily marred. Continued contact with perspiration, cosmetics and hair products will eventually deplete the lustre on pearls by breaking down the nacreous layers and stretch and breakdown the silk thread the pearls are 'strung' upon. Never put pearls in an ultrasonic cleaner, never clean in jewellery dips, and never soak pearls in water and soap baths. Ideally, pearls should be stored separately from other jewellery and never contact any abrasive surface.

OTHER 'SOFT' GEMSTONES also require tender care. Amber, turquoise, opals, freshwater pearls, and lapis lazuli are all beautiful gemstones requiring a gentle touch. To keep these gems pristine protect them in jewellers tissue when storing to avoid contact with potential damaging hard or sharp objects or edges such as other jewellery. Never expose to harsh, strong sunlight or soak in water for any period of time.

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