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Services & Education

JEWELRY CARE

The Ultimate Guide

PROTECTION FOR YOUR INVESTMENT.

At Lewis Jewelers, we know you love your jewelry. Unlike gifts that go out of style or functionality, the sentiment behind every purchase is precious and personal. That’s why it’s so important to make the regular care and cleaning of your fine jewelry valuables a routine. At Lewis Jewelers, you’re welcome to stop in for complimentary cleaning and checking as often as you would like. And we also have some specific suggestions about the care of your fine jewelry you’re sure to find helpful.

DIAMONDS

Even though they may be considered the hardest substance on Earth, diamonds can still be chipped. Therefore, although you may want to wear certain pieces of diamond jewelry every day, it’s best to reconsider if you think they could be subjected to harsh physical conditions. And, because even everyday activities can be tough on your favorite diamond pieces, it’s important to have a jeweler examine them twice a year for signs of damage. Remember, prongs can wear thin and diamonds may fall out.

An important thing to keep in mind is how you treat your diamond ring around water. Remember, it can become loose and slip off. Trust us, we’ve heard the stories over the years. And, you should try to avoid wearing your ring in chlorinated water, since over time chlorine can damage the metal in the setting.

Finally, diamond jewelry is delicate and can scratch easily. When you store it, keep it separated from other jewelry pieces. A fabric-lined jewelry case with individual compartments is ideal, but you can also keep them in their own pouches or wrapped in tissue paper or soft fabric.

GOLD

Chlorine can weaken gold, so it’s best to remove your gold jewelry before taking a dip in the pool or relaxing in a hot tub. Also, gold chains can tangle quite easily. Always remove any gold chain jewelry before sleeping for the night, and always store them on a flat surface to avoid tangling.

PEARLS

“Last thing on, first thing off.” It’s a big rule for delicate pearls. They should be the last piece of jewelry you put on, after that spritz of perfume or hairspray, which can be damaging to a pearl’s finish.

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REGULAR
CLEANING

DIAMONDS

Clean your diamonds once or twice weekly by soaking them in a gentle solution such as water with a few drops of mild soap for 20 minutes. Remove the diamond from the cleaner and brush it with a soft, clean jewelry cleaning brush to remove any leftover dirt. Take extra care to brush the back of the diamond, as this will be the area that has collected the most oil and dirt.

COLORED GEMSTONES

Most colored gemstones can be safely cleaned with mild dish soap, warm water, and a soft brush. However, pearls are a notable exception. They should only be surface cleaned with a damp cloth dipped in a diluted soap-and-water solution. Avoid dipping pearls into a liquid solution or discoloration could occur.

Stop in to Lewis Jewelers anytime and we will professionally clean your treasures!