Jewelery Care Guide
Store your jewelry Properly
Place all your jewelery in individsual anti-tarnish ziploc bags or velvet pouches. Store each piece seperately to avoid any tangling, scratches, & damage to your precious pieces.
Avoid damaging chemicals
Hairspray, lotion, perfumes, chlorine, & perfume can be damaging to certain types of metals and colored gems. Precious metals like gold, silver, & platinum are especially susceptible to discoloration from these everyday care products.
Use mild cleaners for regular cleanings
Clean your jewelery at home with warm water, mild dish soap, & a soft brush. If you are considering ultrasonic cleaning, it is best to leave your jewelry in the care of trained jewelers who understand how to use this technology safely.
When in doubt take it off
The swimming pool is not an ideal place for your fine jewelry. Neither is the gym. Even when preparing a meal or doing household chores, it is a good idea to store your jewelry in a safe place. Avoid any heavy manual labor while wearing your jewelery.
Insure your jewelry
Accidents could happen. It is impossible to predict when disaster will strike. That’s why it is always a good idea to insure your jewelry. In the grim case that something happens to your precious pieces, you will have the peace of mind knowing your investment is protected. Here at Shiva Jewelers we offer jewelery appraisal for insurance purposes.
Check for loose stones
Periodically check for loose stones by gently tapping the piece near your ear. If
you hear a rattling sound, have it checked by a professional jeweler to avoid losing any
stones.
Protect from heat & sunlight
Certain gemstones can fade or change color when exposed to sunlight for extended periods of time. Store your jewelry away from direct sunlight. Avoid exposing your jewelry to extreme heat, as it can damage certain gemstones & cause metals to expand and contract.
Polki Diamond & Kundan
Avoid exposing your polki diamond & kundan jewelery to any chemicals such as chlorine, hand lotion, makeup, & perfumes. When cleaning them, use lukewarm water to remove the stains without damaging the ornament. Lightly dust the pieces with talcum powder and wipe them clean to keep the shine & remove any moisture accumulated from sweat & cosmetics. After that, simply air out the pieces to dry. Store your jewelery in sealed zip-loc bags with anti tarnish strips or moisture absorbing packets
Pearl Jewelery
Pearls being a 2.5 on the moh’s scale means they are very soft & need extra care to keep them in excellent condition. In order to keep their luster, avoid exposing your pearls to perfumes, hairspray, makeup, chlorine, & any other chemical exposure to avoid dullness & peeling. When purchasing pearls it is important to choose pearls with a thick nacre so they can withstand wear over time. Pearls should be wiped clean gently with a soft cloth & stored seperately in velvet pouches in order to avoid damage. Wear your pearl jewelery often; your body’s natural oils help keep the pearls moisturized & brilliant.
Diamond Jewelry
Diamonds are exceptionally durable & hold incredible brilliance . However, diamonds are not indestructible. Diamond jewelery must be stored seperately in velvet pouches in order to avoid damage. Settings must be checked annually by a professional jeweler in order to avoid loosing your diamonds because of damage or weakening to the setting. Clean your diamond jewelery with a lint-free cloth or with warm water, mild soap & a soft toothbrush, or by dipping it briefly in a commercial cleaning solution. Take your diamond jewelry to a professional jeweler annually for a cleaning in order to maintain its beauty & brilliance over time.
Antique-Finish Jewlery
Antique-finish jewelery is exceptionally intricate & unique with each piece varying in finishing & color. Certain steps must be followed in order to keep the integrity of the finishing on each piece. You must avoid using a polishing cloth at all costs as this could damage & alter the finishing. Antique jewlelery cannot be exposed to any chemicals like soaps or detergents. Use a dry microfiber cloth and clean it very gently in order to keep the integrity of each peice. Antique jewelery should be stored seperately in velvet pouches in order to avoid any damage.