How to Care For Your Fine, Handcrafted Semi-Precious Gemstone Jewelry
by Anne Reyes,
We can all agree that purchasing jewelry comes with many hard decisions. More than the design and symbolism, the stones and metals should fit with the wearer’s lifestyle. Even the best of jewelry loses its luster over time.
Understanding how to care for and protect your most cherished accessories is crucial to keeping their brilliance for generations to come, and here are some of the best tips you should follow.
Acquaint Yourself with Gems and Metals
Handcrafted semi-precious gemstone jewelry undergoes routine treatments to improve and maintain its vibrant color and clarity. However, such treatments influence a gem's durability, causing the stones to react adversely to heat, solvents, steams, and ultrasonic cleaners.
Your gemstone’s durability is measured in three ways:
- Hardness (resistance to scratches and abrasions)
- Toughness (resistance to chipping and breaking)
- Stability (resistance to chemicals, heat, light, and humidity)
Researching your gemstone, whether online or asking a professional jeweler, is the first thing you should do to ensure that it lasts you a lifetime. Many sources will inform you of the usual treatments done to specific stones and how you can best care for them.
The same applies to your jewelry’s metals. While most metals like gold, sterling silver, platinum, and titanium behave similarly, there are still some key differences to take note of. For example, silver is one of the softer metals, making it prone to scratches and other damage and requiring more stringent everyday care. It also tends to tarnish, which will dictate how it should be cleaned and stored unless it has been finished with a rhodium plating or gold vermeil.
Ensure Proper Handling and Wear
Jewelry is delicate. The more intricate the make and design, the more careful you should handle and wear it. When donning your handcrafted semi-precious gemstone jewelry, be sure never to place any direct pressure on the stones. Doing so will result in them becoming loose in their fastenings and ending up falling out.
For rings, it is best to push or hold them by the band. For bracelets, ensure stones are facing up when you fasten them and keep them away from pressure from your arm or other surfaces.
With proper caring and wearing, jewelry can outlast any wardrobe. On occasions you decide to take them with you, one easy golden rule to live by is “last to put on, first to take off.” Put them only after you are done with your hair, makeup, and outfit. Doing this safeguards the stones and metals from coming into contact with the chemicals in your beauty products, as well as unintentionally getting hooked or pulled onto your ensemble’s clasps or fittings. And when your affairs are over, take them off first.
Lastly, keep in mind that your 18K gold jewelry has no place in the gym or in doing chores. Wearing them while you do strenuous work only invites possible chemical contact or accidental impacts.
Clean Them Right and Smart
Cleaning jewelry ensures it will keep looking its best and most radiant for longer. It also stops the buildup of potentially harmful chemicals and other elements that may end up scratching or clouding them.
There are several ways to clean jewelry, but the easiest and simplest methods tend to be the best ones to do. Here are some of the cleaning tricks you can use:
- Clean with warm water, mild dish soap (no detergents), and a soft brush.
- Use a pulsed-water dental cleaning appliance and a soft, lint-free cloth.
- For softer cleaning, go with a fresh, clean makeup brush and warm, soapy water.
To rinse, place your jewelry in a glass of water to remove cleaning solutions. Do not do it directly in the sink to avoid the dreaded “my jewelry fell down the drain” situation.
While some sources might advise you to purchase a professional ultrasonic cleaner, know that not all gems and jewelry can withstand the pressure and vibration. When in doubt, do some research or hand them over to your local jewelry professionals.
Polish Carefully and Store Away Safely
Polishing restores the shine and luster of your handcrafted luxury jewelry. Do it extra gently with a soft, lint-free cloth or chamois and nothing else.
When not adorning or admiring the 18K gold jewelry on your hand, keep them scratch and impact-free by putting them back in the box or pouch they come with upon purchase or a jewelry box with individually padded slots and posts.
Again, some stones or metals may require a separate storage place. Sterling silvers should be in an anti-tarnish bag or box, while pearls and opals must be in a dry or climate-controlled area to prevent them from drawing moisture from the air.
Avoid Light and Heat
If heat and sunlight can damage our skin, they do just as much, if not more, on your handcrafted luxury jewelry. Time and excessive extreme temperatures can cause some stones to dry out, leading to haziness or color change, while others become brittle and more likely to crack or break.
Have Regular Checkups
Anything valuable and worth keeping would need routine inspections and maintenance from a professional. Have your jeweler inspect your stones and metals for wear or breakage every three to six months. They can also tighten any fixtures that may have gotten loose.
The Best Place to Purchase Handcrafted Luxury Jewelry
If you want to acquire the 18KT gold jewelry of your dreams or wish to add more handcrafted luxury jewelry to your growing collection, you have come to the right place. We are Heaven-Roc, a New York-based jewelry label inspired by haute couture with a timeless collection of ethically sourced stones.
All of our rings come to you in an elegant keepsake mandarin box with a satin bow, the piece within just waiting to delight you with its unparalleled craftsmanship and glamour. Have a look at the stunning beauties in our Dolce Vita and Riviera collections.
While our equally elegant choices give you a bit of difficulty to get just one, it is guaranteed to be a purchase you will not ever regret. Our experts are also on standby to assist you with your queries.
