Jewellery Care

Ultrasonic Cleaners* – Just because you have an ultrasonic cleaner at work (i.e. Veterinary hospital or dental office tool cleaners) do not assume that it vibrates at a safe level for gem stones.

Don’t soak jewellery in any concentrated chemical(s), even gold can be etched from long exposures to some chemicals.

For light cleaning there are dedicated solutions for different types of jewellery (i.e. gold, pearls, sterling silver). Carefully follow the instructions on each solution and make sure you use the correct solution for each piece of jewellery.

You should have your jewellery checked every 6 months or immediately after you suspect it has been damaged.

Sometimes a chain will get caught on your clothing, etc. and pulled., even though you barely notice it. You can tell if it has been stretched by simply measuring the length of it . If you bought an 18″ chain and all of a sudden it is longer, the links will have been stretched, compromising the strength of each one. It may only take a tiny tug on the chain to finally cause the links to pull apart and the chain to fall off.

Rings can be damaged in many ways (i.e. catching them on shopping carts, hitting the sides of cupboards, catching them on pockets, etc. while reaching inside). Sometimes they even get dropped to the floor or stepped on. If this happens and you notice that your ring fits differently, is catching on your clothes or the gemstone seems different in any way, you should take it in to a jeweller to have it looked at. It is much easier and less costly to repair your ring before the potential loss of a gemstone due to its setting being misaligned.

Cultured pearls do require special care to ensure a lifetime of enjoyment. Keep these five tips in mind:

Pearls are very soft and easily damaged by chemicals and heat.

Do not use ultrasonic or steam cleaners and avoid contact with any perfumes, hair products, etc.

It is a good idea to periodically have your pearls inspected and restrung by a jeweller to ensure they last as long as they should.

Clean your pearls periodically with warm water and mild, non-detergent soap. Lay them flat in a moist kitchen towel to dry. When the towel is dry, your string should be dry. Store in a soft bag, never in plastic.

Owning a beautiful Emerald is a privilege and a commitment. Make sure you know the following:

Clean your emerald using a soft, old toothbrush or cloth piece dipped in warm soapy water. Avoid scrubbing. Do not soak emeralds in water. Do not expose your emerald to any heat beyond what you can comfortably touch with your hands. Never put in very hot water or steam, and never use an ultrasonic cleaner. Avoid harsh detergents and vigorous scrubbing. Protect your emerald from blows or impacts.

What brings the fire comes with instruction:

For cleaning opals only use warm, soapy water. Never use ultrasonic cleaners, steam cleaners or any chemical solution. Do not expose your opals to any heat beyond what you can comfortably touch with your hands. Opals retain water and as they dry out they become brittle. Hydrate them by either wearing them regularly (oil from skin) or brush lightly with old, soft toothbrush dipped in mineral oil. Opals are susceptible to cold, do not expose them to subzero temperatures.

Household insurance policies cover some basics for jewellery but we recommend you check with your insurance agent to see what dollar value your policy will cover. Jewellery should be individually itemized and appraised for the best coverage. If your jewellery is important to you and the value is of such that you cannot afford to replace the pieces(s) if some loss or damage is incurred, then we recommend insuring it.

Report the stolen or lost item to the police. They will give you a file number for proof of loss that you can take to your insurance provider. Take your appraisal (very important) with the file number to your insurance provider to start your claim. The best case scenario is that the item may be recovered, but if that is not the case having the proper information makes the process much smoother.

Jewellery Care + FAQ

Cleaning & Care

Pearls, Opals + Emeralds

Insurance + Loss