Hello friend!
I gazed into my palm the other day at the murky spinel earrings I’ve been wearing on repeat and realized, I should talk about proper jewelry care (and I should really clean those earrings).
I put together a list of FAQs. You’ll either learn something new or you’ll feel the nudge to do a jewelry box deep clean, or both! This one is a little longer than usual, so make sure you’re somewhere comfy.
Can my jewelry get wet/can I swim in my jewelry?
There are certain stones that should never really be submerged in water–like turquoise, fluorite, malachite, selenite, even labradorite. Some kinds of opal can change color or clarity in water–specifically Ethiopian opals like I use in some of my pieces. They may go back to their original color, might not. (I tried this, mine did go back to its original color but it was just a shower not a soak) Australian opals should be fine.
As for metals….the chlorine in pools and hot tubs is not a friend. Neither is the sulfur from a hot spring. These can erode metal (unless you have pure gold), and while I’ve never taken my jewelry off to swim (!) I would if I were doing so regularly. Salt water can corrode metals too, but the more pure the gold or silver, the better.
What stones and metals are best for every day wear?
Diamonds, sapphires, and rubies are top of the list for strength and durability. These make great rings, obvious choices for engagement rings. To be honest, it really bothers me when I see people selling moonstone and opal rings as alternative engagement rings without disclosing that these are soft stones and not the best to wear daily–as rings.
Soft stones like opals, moonstone, peridot, pearl, even tanzanite should be worn with consideration to lifestyle and daily activities. This is why I don’t make opal rings…I want your jewelry to last. The setting plays a part as well…some protect the sides of the stone more than others. But of course, these can be worn on your fingers, just take extra care.
As for metals–the lower the gold karat number the stronger the metal. 22k gold is gorgeous but it’s soft and can get banged up and scratched pretty easily. Even my 18k gold ring has a fairly scratched up band but I love it and don’t care. So while 14k is more affordable it’s also more durable. Sterling silver is of course fine for daily wear–but again as a ring it’s not going to be as long lasting as gold in general. They get misshapen and dulled with regular wear–less of an issue with a thicker ring so watch out for skinny silver bands.
How can I clean my jewelry?
My best recommendation is to start with a soft toothbrush and mild dish soap under warm water–if the stone is safe to get wet. If this doesn’t get the sparkle back I really like jewelry cloths that have polishing compound embedded in them. Sunshine cloths are great–find them on Amazon and elsewhere. I get them through my jewelry supplier.
If you’ve tried these and they still don’t shine, I might just take my pieces in to be cleaned by a jeweler. There are all kinds of products out there but jewelers know what is safe for stones and metals especially if you’re dealing with plated pieces. You may have seen those ultrasonic cleaners you can buy, you need to know what can go in them. Basically solid gold, sterling, platinum are all ok. As for stones, mainly diamonds and sapphires are safe….maybe quartz and that’s about it.
How do I store my jewelry?
You want to do the opposite of what I do and keep softer stones separated from others so they don’t get scratched. So if your jewelry box has compartments, that’s perfect. Or you can use little baggies. Chains are probably best hanging so you don’t reach in and find a tangled mess. In general stones with the same hardness or ok stored together but when in doubt, separate.
Can I wear them in the sun?
You might not realize there are stones that can fade in the sun! Kunzite is probably the worst culprit–it’s pink can fade to clear in a few hours. But rose quartz and amethyst can also fade with time. You probably wouldn’t have to worry unless you were wearing them out in the garden every day.
How do I keep my silver from tarnishing?
Ha, you don’t really. It’s going to tarnish eventually but there are some things you can do to delay the inevitable. My mom used to store her silver jewelry in tiny baggies with pieces of chalk. The chalk absorbs moisture in the air, but even the bag is keeping the piece dry. #2 move to Arizona where the air is dry. #3 they sell anti-tarnish strips, like black paper you can store with your silver. I do this. But what I also do that I rarely remember to mention, is I make all my pieces with sterling silver that tarnishes more slowly–it has a little less copper and a little more of another metal in its makeup that slows the process. And you don’t swim in the pool with silver, as mentioned.
Worth a mention:
Lotions, sunscreens, detergents and even sweat can have an impact on jewelry. Just be mindful of what you’re using. And keep a little dish next to your sink, or a little pouch in your purse to place jewelry when you need to remove it.
I know this was a long one….but helpful I hope! Let me know if there’s anything I didn’t cover. You can always reply directly to this email and only I will see it. Forward to a friend if you think they might benefit.
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