Caring for your jewellery

Jewellery Storage
All jewellery should be stored individually - storing more than one piece of
jewellery in a container or pouch is destructive, as the pieces will scratch
and abrade each other. Diamonds can scratch any other gemstone; and rubies
and sapphires can scratch other softer gemstones, such as emeralds, opals,
and pearls. The shiny lustre of gold surfaces can be scratched by constant
abrading with other gold or gemstones. It is recommended that each piece be
wrapped or packaged individually before being placed in a common container.

Cleaning
Jewellery can get discoloured and dirty - clean your jewellery through a
jeweller or ask an expert to recommend cleaning for that particular type of
jewellery. Cleaning methods will differ according to the type of jewellery
and the stones it contains.

Care of Diamonds and Gemstones
Take care of your jewellery - don't wear it when you are doing housework or
other activities which might damage the piece.

Gems and precious metals are gifts of nature which need special care. Even
though a gem may be millions of years old, once mined and worn, it is
exposed to conditions and chemicals that can damage it. The harder the gem,
the less vulnerable it is to potential damage. Hardness is based on a
gem-trade standard called the Mohs Scale, developed in the early 19th
century. A diamond, for example, is the hardest gem known to man, one of the
reasons why "it is forever."

Diamonds and other gemstones, in spite of their hardness, can be damaged,
chipped or even shattered if struck against a hard surface with sufficient
force. So naturally, rings should be removed when working around machinery
or during other work that might damage them, including working with harsh
chemicals. It is also advisable to have the mounting checked once a year to
make sure it has not become loose. This service is provided gratis by most
jewellers.

Pearls - Always store your pearls separately from other jewellery. Ideally,
pearls should be stored in a pearl box, pearl pouch, or a soft cloth.
Perfumes and body powders can be detrimental to pearls: the alcohol in
perfumes and the talc in powders can abrade the delicate nacre of pearls,
diminishing their lustre. It is not recommended to wear your pearls in the
shower or in swimming pools as certain chemicals can be too harsh on the
pearls.

Gold, silver, and platinum are only Mohs 2-1/2 to 4, which means that they
require special care when wearing, storing, or cleaning.

To preserve your jewellery
1. Don't wear fine jewellery when doing housework or gardening.
2. Store each piece separately.
3. Check for loose stones frequently by gently tapping the piece with your
finger near your ear. Get pearls restrung every two years or annually with
frequent use.
4. Clean fine jewellery often to maintain its sparkle and beauty.