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Care of Fine Jewelry

Jewelry is comprised of gemstones and/or precious metals.  Although we think of these things as almost indestructible, they are all subject to injury from physical and chemical attack.  Therefore, you must consider your jewelry as precious and delicate.  The following is a list of jewelry care.

1. Handle your jewelry carefully.  This means store all pieces separately in their boxes or pouches.  This prevents scratching and chipping.
   
   
2. Be aware that gemstones can be damaged by strong chemicals and even the acids in certain foods.  Gold can be damaged by the chlorine found in swimming pools.  Do not wear your jewelry while cooking, cleaning, or swimming.
   
   
3. Necklaces strung on silk or cord, should never get wet since the stringing material will stretch and break.
   
   
4. Pearls, coral and amber jewelry are extremely fragile and should never be cleaned with jewelry cleaners, even if it states that it is safe for these items.  They should be cleaned only by wiping them with a soft clean cloth. 
   
   
5. Delicate gemstones include emeralds, opals and tanzanite.  These gems can easily chip and crack.  If you have a ring with any of these three gemstones, you must wear it with care.  Cleaning of these stones should only be done by professionals who will use the mildest of cleaners.  Never permit these stones to be put into an ultrasonic cleaner or to be steam cleaned.  This could crack the gemstone.
   
   
6. The most durable of gemstones are diamonds, rubies and sapphires.  The easiest way for you to clean them is to use warm water with a few drops of mild liquid dish soap in a small bowl.  A small jewelry brush or a baby’s toothbrush may be gently used on the stone.  DO NOT CLEAN YOUR JEWELRY OVER A SINK UNLESS YOU CLOSE THE DRAIN!!  After cleaning, rinse the jewelry in a bowl of clean warm water and dry on a soft, lint free towel.  Always check the bowls for lost gemstones prior to dumping the liquid after cleaning.  You may also use commercial jewelry cleaner to clean jewelry with these three gemstones. Other gems that may be cleaned in the same way are amethyst, aquamarine and other beryls, citrine, CZ (cubic zirconium), garnet, jade, peridot, quartz, spinel, topaz, tourmalines and zircon.
   
   
7.  The cleaning of precious metals such as platinum and gold may be done in the same way as your durable gemstones.  Silver if not set with gems, can be cleaned with a silver cleaner or polishing cloth.  If the silver is set with delicate gemstones, do not use any type of silver cleaner, only use a silver cleaning cloth very carefully around the gemstones.
   
   
8. Fine jewelry is meant to be worn and enjoyed; therefore it should be insured against loss or damage.  A precious jewelry rider can be added to your apartment or homeowners insurance policy.