FAQ

Jewellery is often an investment and, for many of us, has a great sentimental value attached to the pieces.  Therefore, it is important o take care of your jewellery to make sure they look their best for years to come.   Whether you are cleaning a diamond engagement ring, a cherished pearl necklace or a gold bracelet, follow our guide and take care of your jewellery with ease and confidence.

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Here are a few tips on some of the things you should do to keep it in great shape:

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• Take your jewellery off if you are engaged in an activity which could scratch, knock or damage it.  If in doubt, take it off and keep it safe

• Take if off when you go to a shower or go to bed

• Keep it well away from chemicals, especially chlorine.  If it does come into contact with chemicals, rinse it in water immediately

• Bathe and apply any lotions or perfumes before you put your jewellery on.  Organic gemstones like pearls and opals are particularly vulnerable to acids, even perspiration

• Store your jewellery piece separately, ideally in a soft-lined box or case, so that your favourite pieces dont tangle, rub or scratch one another

• Pearls in particular should be kept separately as they are easily scratched by hard gemstones

• Make sure chains are necklaces are fastened when storing to avoid tangling

• Remove jewellery while cooking, cleaning and doing housework

• When storing jewellery, please keep it away from direct sunlight, excessive heat or damp conditions

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Gemstone Cleaning

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Gemstones are bought for their sparkle, colour and lustre, so it is essential to keep them looking their best.  However, it is important to know what type of gem you are cleaning and how to get it back to looking like new.

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For nearly all coloured gemstones cleaning with warm water, a few drops of washing-up liquid and a soft brush is all you need.   Make sure to avoid harsh or rigid brushes.  A toothbrush is usually an excellent tool due to the size and softness.

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Despite being the hardest naturally occurring substance on earth, diamonds require care and attention.   They are hard, but they can still fracture and be scratched by other diamonds due to their directional hardness.  Oil deposits from fingers, general dust, grime and hand cream can quickly adhere to the diamond surface and makes it look dull.

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Clean the diamond regularly.   Soak in warm water with a degreasing solution like a few drops of washing-up liquid will be adequate.   Gently brush with a soft, clean toothbrush before drying with a lint-free cloth.   Avoid using bleaches or other hard abrasives.  This can easily damage the precious metal in which the diamond is mounted.

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Organic gems like pearls, opal, amber and coral possess different chemical compositions to mineral gemstones like sapphires and diamonds.  Because of this, they also require other methods of care.  Most organic gems are much softer than mineral gemstones and liable to be scratched and damaged if not cared for correctly.

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For pearls, coral, opal and amber, do not submerge the gemstones in water.   Instead, wet a soft cloth with warm water and gently rub each stone individually.  Be carefully and go gently.

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Dry the gemstones with a lint-free cloth.   Excess moisture will build up in the drill holes  and next to the knots causing discolouration.  Do not use the hairdryer to remove moisture, as the heat will damage the stones.  Also, air pearl jewellery regularly instead of keeping in the box in dark places all the time, airing the pearl will delay the yellowing effect of the stone.

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For gold, even if it is 18K or 24K, it will eventually lose its shine.   Fingerprints and a daily build up of dirt can quickly dull even the brightest gold.   Add a few drops of washing up liquid to a lukewarm bowl of water and soak the gold jewellery for ten minutes to loosen up any build-up of dirt (do not use this method is the gold jewellery has organic gemstones like pearl).   Then gently clean with a soft toothbrush and make sure to get into hard to reach places.  Rinse thoroughly in clean water to remove soap residue or any remnants of dirt.   Dry gently with a lint-free cloth or leave on a cloth to air dry.

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Silver is subject to tarnishing over time, resulting in dull or even black jewellery.   Tarnishing occurs when silver is exposed to oxygen and sulphur in the air.   It is unavoidable but thankfully it does not damage the metal and can be removed easily with cleaning.

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Simply wearing your silver jewellery will slow the process of tarnishing!   The simplest way to clean silver is to get a specialist solution or cloth infused with anti-tarnishing agents.  If you do not have any specialist cleaners, you can use a bowl of lukewarm water and a few drops of washing-up liquid to remove the tarnishing.  Soak the jewellery for ten minutes, gently scrub with a soft, clean brush, rinse in clean, warm water and leave to air dry.  For more stubborn tarnishing, you can use a white vinegar and water mix by mixing equal parts of water and vinegar in a bowl.

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Jewellery Health Check 

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If in doubt about the care or repair of your jewellery, then seek advice of a jeweller.  Freedom2Sparkle is more than happy to clean, repolish and fix your jewellery.

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Here is a quick checklist of some of the things you should look out for:

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• Worn, damaged or missing claws on settings risk losing stones

• Loose stones in the setting

• Loose catches and clasps links on chains or bracelets

• Any fractures in metals

• Pearls that are loose on their thread or where the thread is frayed

• Too much movement in jointed hinges

• The plating is wearing off-white gold

• Finally, if a ring is too tight or too loose, it can generally be re-sized to fit