While Escapes
aims to provide the highest standards in design, materials,
and craftsmanship so that your jewelry may be worn
and enjoyed for many years to come, there are some
basic things you can do to protect and care for your
jewelry.
Dust, sweat,
and everyday wear may affect and dull the appearance
and brilliance of your gemstones as well as the surface
of your jewelry. In addition to professional cleanings,
your gemstones can be maintained, cleaned, and protected
with basic care.
While specific
cleaning techniques exist for different gems, below
are some care and cleaning basic precautions for all
jewelry set with gemstones. For basics on the care
and cleaning of the surface of your jewelry, visit
the following web page:
BASIC
CARE
Avoid excessive impact against hard surfaces, extreme
temperature changes and contact with perfumes, cosmetics,
and household products. Avoid contact with abrasive
surfaces. Even diamonds, the hardest of stones, can
chip if hit with enough force, or at an angle.
Avoid wearing
your jewelry when engaging in activities that expose
it to risks: impact or exposure to chemicals (e.g.
sports or housework). If you cannot remove your rings
when using strong cleaning products (i.e. Ammonia
based products), protect your jewelry (and your skin)
by wearing rubber gloves.
Rings and bracelets
can be most affected by daily wear, but, earrings,
necklaces and even pendants are subject to chemical
damage, such as make-up, fragrances and hair products.
Gemstones can
scratch each other and wear away precious metals from
other jewelry. Diamonds are easily scratched by other
diamonds, and should be worn and stored separately.
Never store your jewelry in piles or stacks. Store
those items that may be vulnerable to such abrasions
in separate sections of a jewelry box, or wrap them
separately in velvet, paper or silk.
The safest
method of cleaning most jewelry is to use a mild warm
soapy water solution and a soft brush, then patting
dry with a soft cloth.
TIPS
FOR CLEANING THE MORE COMMON GEMS
Diamonds:
Diamonds have the highest index of hardness of precious
stones (measuring 10 on the Mohs hardness scale).
Care: To maximize
the brilliance of your diamond, clean carefully in
mild soapy water with a soft bristle brush, then rinse
and wipe dry with a soft cloth. Mechanical and chemical
cleaners are generally safe, depending on the fractures,
if any, of your stone.
Ruby:
Ruby is the second hardest stone after the diamond,
measuring 9 on the hardness scale.
Care: Clean
carefully in mild soapy water with a soft bristle
brush, then rinse and wipe dry with a soft cloth.
Commercial cleaning solutions may also be used, and
while mechanical cleaners are generally safe, these
should be avoided if your ruby is heavily included.
Keep rubies
away from diamonds, and protect them against impacts
and abrasions.
Sapphire:
Sapphire, along with the ruby, is the second hardest
stone, and member of the same Corundum family.
Care: Clean
carefully in mild soapy water with a soft bristle
brush, then rinse and wipe dry with a soft cloth.
Commercial cleaning solutions may also be used, and
while mechanical cleaners are generally safe, these
should be avoided if your ruby is heavily included.
Keep sapphires
away from diamonds, and protect them against impacts
and abrasions.
last updated: April 2003
