Caring for your jewellery - some hints and tips

Do not store Pearl and/Opals in plastic - they need to breath.

Store Sterling Silver in plastic bags to reduce tarnish.

Put your jewellery on after you have sprayed purfume or hair spray - the chemicals in these products will damage your semi precious stones and dull glass beads.  This is particularly important when wearing pearls.

Always store bead necklaces strung on silk flat because silk stretches over time.

Protect all jewellery from scratches, sharp blows, chemicals, extreme temperatures.

Take special care with glass stones - they really are glass and they can crack or break if mishandled. 

If you are wearing a ring which has been attached to the shank with glue - remove it before washing your hands - do not remove it by pulling at the focal bead - professional glues are excellent these days but they can only stand so much.

 

Sunlight changes some stones in this way (this is only a partial list!)

Amethyst - becomes paler

Ametrine - may become lighter or change colours

Aquamarine - becomes paler

Aventurine - some lighter varieties become paler

Beryl - brown/orange varieties may fade to pale pink

Celestite - becomes paler

Chrysoprase - becomes paler

Citrine - becomes paler/changes colour

Hiddenite - becomes paler

Kunzite - becomes paler

Rose Quartz - becomes paler

Smoky Quartz - becomes paler

 

Don't put these into Chemical Cleaners (this is a partial list! If in doubt, just don't do it)

Amber

Aquamarine

Coral

Emerald

Jade

Lapis Lazuli

Malachite

Opal

Pearls

Shell

Turquoise