Basic Jewellery Care
At Margaret Griffith Jewellery our fine jewellery is made to the highest quality, however with normal wear proper care is required to keep it looking good. As a result we've created this Basic JewelleryCare Guide to direct you in the proper care of your jewellery.
Wearing Jewellery
Jewellery is worn by millions of people every day, but few recognize how they can preserve their treasures by using some simple advanced planning and thought. Here are some basic guidelines to consider when wearing jewellery:
- Put Jewellery On After Applying Makeup – Cosmetics, hairspray, perfumes and lotion can contain chemicals that can often damage jewellery. Putting jewellery on after applying these materials will limit exposure to jewellery and any potential damage.
- Don't Wear Jewellery In Swimming Pools and Spas – Chlorinated water can react with the metals found in jewellery causing color changes and even structural damage. As a result it's a good idea to remove jewellery before entering the pool or spa.
- Contact Sports and Jewellery Don't Mix– Hard blows during sports can damage jewellery not to mention the people involved. All jewellery should be removed before play begins.
Basic Guidelines
Jewellery is worn by millions of people every day, but few recognize how they can preserve their treasures by using some simple advanced planning and thought. Here are some basic guidelines to consider when wearing jewellery:
- Put Jewellery On After Applying Makeup – Cosmetics, hairspray, perfumes and lotion can contain chemicals that can often damage jewellery. Putting jewellery on after applying these materials will limit exposure to jewellery and any potential damage.
- Don't Wear Jewellery In Swimming Pools and Spas – Chlorinated water can react with the metals found in jewellery causing color changes and even structural damage. As a result it's a good idea to remove jewellery before entering the pool or spa.
- Contact Sports and Jewellery Don't Mix– Hard blows during sports can damage jewellery not to mention the people involved. All jewellery should be removed before play begins.
- Remove Your Jewellery Before Bathing - Remove all jewellery before showering or cleaning. Soap can cause a film to form, making it appear dull and dingy. By preventing the formation of this film you immediately reduce the occasions of servicing.
- Use Jewellery Polishing Cloths for Best Results - Polish silver or gold with a jewellery polishing cloth for best results. You can use a svelte or an old diaper, but the professional cloths are the best. Use of tissue or paper towels can cause scratches because of fibers in these products.
- Clean Your Jewellery With Care - Cleaning your own jewellery regularly can keep it looking good, but be careful. You can either purchase commercial cleaners from a jeweler or make a cleaning a solution yourself. Rubbing alcohol can work wonders, but bleach can literally destroy jewellery so avoid it at all costs.
- Use Warm Water to Clean Jewellery - Using warm water is the best bet when cleaning your own jewellery. How water can cause reaction with the cleaning fluids resulting in discoloration and Sterling Silver is especially susceptible to this problem. Should this occur, this problem can be remedied by buffing and the application of a tarnish remover.
- Avoid Cleaning Damaged Jewellery - Never clean any jewellery that is damaged, cracked or broken, since the additional handling is likely to exacerbate or worsen the problem. If you find that a piece of jewellery is damaged, it should be set aside for repair as soon as possible.
- Inspect Your Jewellery Regularly - Just like anything else, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. When having your jewellery professionally cleaned, it's a good idea to have each item checked and inspected for any possible problems. Addressing signs of damage, or loose gemstones will prevent any further damage or loss and keep all of your pieces in excellent shape for years.