Cleaning & Care

Jewelry requires special care when cleaning and storing in order to keep it looking its best. A little precaution goes a long way towards keeping it beautiful!

  • Store each piece individually in a soft pouch or container at a moderate temperature. Some materials are sensitive to heat and cold.
  • Perfume, hairspray, makeup, and skin oils can also be damaging to jewelry. Always apply products prior to putting on your jewelry.
  • Avoid bathing, house cleaning, gardening, and exercising in your jewelry as those are perfect opportunities for loss or damage.
  • When cleaning your jewelry, bear in mind that it is always better to under-clean an item than to over-clean it.
  • Antique jewelry can often be delicate and requires a gentle touch when cleaning and storing.

The guidelines below are just that and are not guarantees. If you are in doubt about how to clean your jewelry, please contact us or visit the store.

Gold

Pieces made of high-karat gold are more prone to denting than those of lower-karat gold and should be stored separately. Any piece that is hollow should be stored likewise.

Some alloys in gold cause tarnishing over time and may darken a little. To clean gold jewelry, immerse in a jar containing a solution of 1/3 ammonia and 2/3 water. You may quickly dip it, or you may leave harder-to-clean pieces in overnight. Brush with a soft toothbrush, rinse in clean water and pat dry.

Platinum

Platinum is a hard and durable metal and may be cleaned in the same manner as gold.

Gemstones

Diamonds, sapphires and rubies are the only gemstones that can take heat and may be cleaned in an ammonia solution. All other gemstones have varying degrees of heat- and chemical-sensitivity and should be cleaned with care.

  • Emeralds
    Emeralds are extremely soft and should be stored in a separate box or pouch. They should be cleaned with only a very soft brush and mild jewelry cleaner or soap diluted in water; rinse and pat dry.
  • Opals
    Like emeralds, opals are especially soft and should be stored in their own box or pouch. They are also porous and prone to cracking, so no chemicals should be used when cleaning them. Clean only with a very soft brush and gentle jewelry cleaner or a diluted mild soap; rinse and pat dry.
  • Turquoise, Lapis, Malachite
    Turquoise, lapis and malachite are porous and sensitive to dirt, grease and oils. They are also soft and easily scratched and should be stored in a separate box or pouch. To clean, use a soft toothbrush to brush on a gentle jewelry cleaner or solution of mild soap diluted in water. Rinse and pat dry. Do not clean in an acidic or ammonia solution because it will remove the polish of the stone.
  • Jade
    Jade is durable and scratch-resistant, but often has a waxy polished finish. To preserve this finish, clean only with a soft brush and gentle jewelry cleaner or solution of mild soap diluted in water; rinse and pat dry.
  • Other semi-precious stones
    Other colored stones may be dipped in a jewelry cleaner or  ammonia solution but should not be soaked. Brush with a soft toothbrush, rinse and pat dry.
Pearls

Take extreme care with pearls, as they are very sensitive to oils, perfume, makeup, hairspray and perspiration. Apply all products prior to wearing your pearls to minimize contact. Store them in a long box by themselves so they do not rub against themselves or other jewelry.

Gently wipe your pearls with a very soft, slightly damp cloth after each wearing. Be very cautious about getting your pearls wet. The stringing takes a long time to dry and is prone to mildew and disintegration.

Amber, Coral, Shell, Tortoiseshell & Other Organic Materials

Organic materials are especially sensitive to beauty products and should always be put on after their application. They are also sensitive to extreme heat and cold and should be stored at a moderate temperature and away from direct sunlight. Do not use acids or ammonia when cleaning, as they attack the surface of these materials and will remove their polish.

Amber, coral and shell are both soft and easily scratched and should be stored in their own box or pouch. To clean, rinse in lukewarm water and pat dry.

Tortoiseshell is stored and cleaned like amber and coral. If you have antique piqué (tortoiseshell inlaid with silver or gold), do not get it wet as it can destroy it.

Wood

Wood is an exceptionally porous material and should be cleaned with care. Do not use ammonia, acids or soap. Wood shrinks and swells in relation to the moisture and temperature of its environment. Over time, this causes it to split, crack and warp. Store at a constant, moderate temperature, avoiding direct sunlight. To clean, lightly rub with a slightly damp cloth.

Enamel

Enamel needs to be stored with care! It is easily chipped and broken. Store enamel pieces in their own box or pouch to prevent damage and chipping.

To clean, gently rub with a silver polishing cloth. Do not clean with an acidic solution because it can remove the glassy smoothness of enamel.

Silver

To clean silver items, gently rub with a silver polishing cloth.

You may also make a paste of baking soda and water and apply with a soft cloth or sponge. Rub thoroughly, rinse clean and pat dry. Baking soda is non-abrasive, inexpensive and readily available, making it a perfect cleaning agent.

Miscellaneous

There are many other materials used in estate and antique jewelry, a few of which are outlined below. If in doubt about how to clean your piece, the best bet is always to just wipe clean with a very soft, dry brush or cloth.

Pietra Dura and Micromosaic

Pietra dura and micromosaics are both delicate and should be stored in their own box or pouch. To clean, brush with a soft brush and take care not to get wet. Be very careful not to dislodge any inlaid pieces that may be loose.

Cut Steel

By its nature, cut steel is sensitive to moisture. Never let cut steel come in contact with moisture. Moisture causes it to rust and lose its appeal (as well as value). To clean, brush with a soft, dry brush or cloth.

Paste and other closed-back pieces

It is the foil backing that gives paste stones and closed-back pieces their unique beauty. This foil is prone to breakage and disintegration and is almost never replaceable. It is also moisture-sensitive; to clean, use only a soft, dry brush and cloth. Never immerse in water or cleaning solution.

Lava

Lava is an exceptionally porous material and should be cleaned with care. Do not use ammonia, acids or soap. Lava carvings are delicate and easily chipped. Clean with water and a soft toothbrush.

Niello

The sulphur compound in niello is soft and should be treated with care. Store in a separate box or pouch to prevent damage. To clean, gently rub with a paste of baking soda and water; rinse and pat dry.

Butterfly Wings

Butterfly wing jewelry is extremely vulnerable to moisture. Any contact with moisture will destroy the butterfly wing and cause it to lose its luster. You may wipe the setting clean with a silver polishing cloth.

Hairwork

Hair jewelry is very delicate and prone to breakage and should be stored in a separate box or pouch. Do not attempt to clean the hairwork or allow it to come in contact with moisture.

Scarabs

Like hairwork, scarabs are delicate and should be stored away from other jewelry. Do not clean the scarabs with anything other than a very soft, damp brush or cloth.

Portrait Miniatures

Miniatures are very delicate and practically impossible to repair. They should be stored in a separate box or pouch, at a moderate temperature and away from direct sunlight. Portrait miniatures can be painted on many different bases, although the most common base is ivory. The type of paint also varies from piece to piece. As a result, it is very important to proceed with caution when cleaning a miniature. Gently wipe with a very soft cloth, being considerate of any area where the paint may be exposed. The mountings may be wiped with a silver polishing cloth, depending on the material.