Jewelry Care Guide

General Guide

Over time, jewelry can become a very precious family heirloom. However, taking care of jewelry to keep it in prime condition that long does require effort. The gemstones of jewelry can lose their clarity from things such as daily wearing, pollution, and fine dust. The surfaces of gold, silver, and platinum jewelry can become dulled. Loss of a precious stone or even a whole piece of jewelry may result from worn down clasps and prongs. This is why it's essential that your Celtic jewelry receives the proper care and attention it deserves.

We recommend that your jewelry be professionally cleaned at least once a year in order to maintain its clarity and beauty. For the 'in between' care, we've given a some useful jewelry cleaning tips and jewelry care information below.

Platinum, Gold & Silver

A non-abrasive cleaner will help to maintain your gold and platinum jewelry between annual professional cleanings. Regularly check the settings on the jewelry to make sure that they are tight and that the clasps are secure. Salt air and products containing sulfur, even some papers and rubber bands, can cause rapid tarnishing in sterling silver jewelry. Silver will stay at its best through regular use of a non-abrasive silver polish.

How you store your jewelry is also a very important part of taking care of it. We recommend that it always be placed in a lined box or pouch, such as the original case, when not being worn.

Gemstones

Unique care is required for most gemstones, however there are certain guidelines to follow for care and attention of jewelry containing gemstones. Firstly, avoid high temperature changes with your jewelry. Secondly, keep your jewelry free from contact with cosmetics, household chemicals, and perfumes. In addition to these, avoid excessive impact of your jewelry with hard surfaces. Inspect the clasps on your jewelry frequently to make sure the stones are held securely. Use a non-abrasive jewelry cleaner to clean the jewelry that is set with gemstones. We recommended avoiding ultrasonic cleaning of gemstones, because it is not a safe method for most of them.

Caring for and Cleaning Diamond Jewelry

Proper care of your diamond will ensure your diamond lasts forever. The following information contains some quality tips to help you in caring for your valuable investment.

Diamond Care

When not wearing your diamond, be sure to store it safely and clean it frequently. Since people generally wear their engagement ring 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, it's very important that you provide care for it properly. The following are some additional guidelines to assist you in keeping your diamond in tip-top shape:

- Even though diamonds are very sturdy, a tough blow can chip them; therefore, you should avoid wearing your diamonds while doing rough work such as yard work and housework.

- It is essential that you not allow your diamond to come into contact with chlorine bleach when doing household chores.

- Be sure to store your diamond in a place where it will not come into contact with another piece of jewelry as diamonds can scratch other diamonds as well as other jewelry.

Cleaning Diamond Jewelry

Like anything else, diamonds are prone to getting dusty, soiled and smudged. The natural oils from your skin, lotions, powders and soaps can all create a thin film on diamonds. This film reduces it's clarity and beauty, which is why it is important to clean it properly and regularly, as you want it to retain maximum sparkle. After oxidizing, chemicals in the air can even discolor the mountings of your diamond. There are several options available to you for cleaning your diamond however:

Detergent Wash

You already have what you need to clean your jewelry: a worn-out toothbrush and some dishwashing detergent. Dish detergent is designed to cut through grease and grime and to rinse off easily, which are exactly the properties needed to clean jewelry. This can be used safely for cleaning both gold and silver jewelry, etc. It will not harm gems or metals.

Cold Bath Water

Using 4 parts of cold water and 1 part of a very mild dishwashing detergent, make a solution to soak the jewelry in for several minutes. After lifting the jewelry out of the solution, tap the edges all the way around the mounting gently with a soft brush. Put the jewelry back in the solution another time, and then let it dry on tissue paper.

Dip Method

Find the brand name liquid jewelry cleaner that's best for the kind of jewelry you have according to the stone and metal type. Follow the instructions on the label of the cleaner carefully. Be careful not to touch the diamonds with your hands as the oils can leave a film on the stone.