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Jewellery Care On this page you will find some useful information about caring for your handmade jewellery. Please follow directions, otherwise your jewellery may not last in good condition for long. If you do not store your jewellery with care and follow these basic care instructions as, my workmanship guarantee will not cover you.
This page includes information on caring for:
wire wrapped jewellery
pearls
gemstone jewellery
sterling silver
titanium
copper
artistic Wire
Remember, the more respect you have for your jewellery, the longer it will look good for you.
Wire Wrapped Jewellery
The very fine wires of wire wrapped jewellery can get tangled in many things, such as other jewellery and this can bend or break wires as you try to untangle them. Ideally, hang it on a stand, or keep it in a small, solid box for a lifetime of wear. At the very least keep it in a bag and avoid crushing it under heavier objects.
Pearls
Pearls are a natural gem that require care. They are softer than most gemstones and need to be protected. Proper
care of pearls is not difficult. Remember
that these gems are organic by nature,
grown by
a living creature. Like
their living owners, pearls are prone
to damage from pollution, injury and heat. Storage:
store away from other jewellery,
in a cloth bag or jewellery pouch. If stored in cotton, remember to wipe them occasionally with a damp cloth to prevent them being dehydrated. Also avoid storing them near heat or a sunny window as these will also dry them and ruin the lustre.
Cosmetics:
Apply before putting pearl jewellery
on. Remember that sun creams,
insect repellents and perfumes can damage pearls. This also includes soaps, creams, chlorinated water, etc
Spills:
Wipe immediately, especially if pearls
come in contact with food acids. Use
a soft cloth damp with fresh water,
and then dry pearls with another soft
cloth. Remember that food acids can be very bad for pearls, so wearing them when cooking is a bad idea.
After wear:
wipe with a soft water damp cloth and dry. As mentioned cosmetics can damage the beauty of pearls and so can perspiration.
Re-stringing:
Pearls will often need to be re-strung. Make-up, powder and swaet/body oils will for a soft paste on the stringing material which can affect both the pearls and the thread.
Gemstone Jewellery
Keep your fine gemstones and gemstone jewelry from contact with one another to avoid scratching each other. Keep them clean: soap
and oils from fingerprints can significantly detract from the beauty of jewelry. You should try to keep your jewelry
looking new by cleaning it regularly. Polishing cloths are ideal for most jewellery and can be used for a long time if they are kept from 'drying out'. Jewellery cleaning solutions can be useful, but they can damage many gemstones, so carefully read instructions if you want to use these. Professional cleaning is recommended for good quality jewellery.
I would also recommended that all
jewelry be inspected regularly or after any sharp blow to stones or
mounting. Take off any jewelry when working in the
kitchen, garden, or cleaning. Any activities where they would be could be brushed or knocked should be avoided. A strong blow from the side could
dislodge a gem from its setting.
Some
gemstones are extremely sensitive to chemicals. Always apply makeup and
cosmetics before putting on your jewelry. Chemicals in these
substances can often harm the look of your gold/ silver and gemstones, or at the very least make the look dirty or dull. Always avoid wearing jewelry in swimming pools, as chlorine can
react with metals causing color and structural damage.
Some
stones are especially prone to heat, so try
not to wear these gems to the beach or leave it on a window sill.
These include amethyst, emerald,
kunzite, malachite, opal, red tourmaline, and turquoise. Many
gems are very susceptible to sudden temperature changes. For example, it is not a good idea to wear your sensitive gems while going from a hot bath to a cold shower as sudden
temperature change may cause the gem to crack or break. These include
emerald, garnet, kunzite, opal, peridot, quartz, tanzanite, topaz, and
tourmaline.
Sterling Silver
Sterling silver is a hardy material, but it is prone to tarnish. You can store it in a bag with a non-tarnish strip. Jewellery polishing cloths are a great way to keep sterling silver looking shiny. Many people recommend using toothpaste for cleaning sterling, but I don't recommend this as it may leave scratches, especially for any pieces that have gemstones or pearls. Toothpaste is mildly abrasive and can damage gems and the finish of your silver.
Titanium
Titanium is hypoallergenic, so many people with metal allergies can wear it. The colour of titanium is not a paint, plate or pigment. The colour is caused by oxidisation. Titanium is a reactive metal and it has an interesting relationship with oxygen. Oxygen causes a structural change in the surface of the metal, creating an oxide. The oxide is as hypoallergenic as titanium, but has a unique light refractory property that causes the titanium to appear in various colours to the human eye.
The oxidisation is produced by a heat and the colour will not fade or chip though it can be scratched off. The titanium is only coloured on the surface, and with scratching, the bold colours can be removed. This
may cause the natural silver-grey titanium colour to appear in scratched or worn areas. For a very small fee the itanium can be re-oxidised to
make the colour look like new again.
Although titanium is a very strong metal it can still bend, scratch and dent, so some care is needed to keep it looking it's best. As with any good jewellery, it is advisable to remove titanium jewellery when gardening, working with chemicals (including swimming in chlorine), abrasives, or at the beach.
Copper
The copper I use in wire wrapping has a coating that will prevent tarnish and skin discolouration. It should not need polishing, but if it gets dirty with spills or cosmetics, clean carefully with a damp cloth. With time this coating may wear off, but it will depend on how you care for your jewellery and how often you wear it. Do not use jewellery cleaners at any time.
Artistic Wire
These kinds of wire can be made from a number of metals or alloys, though most commonly copper. I would not recommend these for anyone with metal allergies. They have a coloured finish and sometimes a non-tarnish coating. These finishes can be scratched, and some may wear off with time, so good care is needed to keep them looking as good as possible for the longest time possible. They usually do not need polishing and keep their colour for a reasonable time
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