Guide to Jewelry Care

Regular care and cleaning of your fine jewelry will enhance your satisfaction. Given proper care fine jewelry will reward you with years of pleasurable wear.

Cleaning

In most cases, routine home care of your fine jewelry supplemented with regular care by your professional jeweler can result in a lifetime of pleasurable wear. Many jewelers provide cleaning as a free service to their customers along with a complimentary check-up to catch any problems early and be certain the gemstones are secure and safe in their settings. Besco suggest that you have your jewelry inspected every six months.

Wear

Rings, regularly worn, need regular periodic cleaning to remove the film and buildup caused by cosmetics, soap, and skin oil that may detract from the ring's beauty. Diamonds, for example, have an affinity for grease and literally collect oils from soap and dishwater. Remove rings before routine household chores and clean rings regularly.

Activity which might subject a gemstone to sharp blows-such as gardening, working with hand tools, or playing sports-may also damage a gemstone. Diamonds too are susceptible to damage from an impact, which might cause them to chip or crack. We have found that in this area one of the biggest threats to your jewelry are “Aggie Rings”. The size and weight of these rings when propelled by an excited Aggie clapping acts like a small hammer. After every football game we inevitably have someone come into the shop to have the crushed diamond replaced and the ring rounded back out.

Put jewelry on after you apply hair spray or cosmetics. Chemicals present in either may cause damage, especially to cultured pearls or other porous organic material. Wipe your pearls with a soft chamois or flannel cloth after each wearing to remove your skin's oils and salts.

A few colored gemstones, such as Kunzite, may fade when worn in sunlight or in a tanning booth. Other stones such as Tanzanite should not be subject to extreme temperatures or sudden temperature changes. Do some research to become familiar with the proper care of any special gemstones you own.

Few watches are waterproof, though many are water resistant. If moisture or dust has penetrated the case of your watch, have it checked only by an authorized technician. Attempts by an untrained repairperson may seriously damage the watch and invalidate factory warranties.

Home Care

A mild soap and water solution used with a soft brush is effective for most home jewelry care needs. Check with your professional jeweler, however, before using commercial cleaning products. Chemicals in some products can damage certain gems, such as pearls, even if they are considered to be mild. Even soft brushes used in applying cleansers can do damage to pearls. Soapy water cleans your pearls, but avoid getting the silk string wet since it will stretch or break.

There are polishing cloths specifically for karat gold or sterling silver. Do not use paper towels; they can scratch the metal.

Home Ultrasonic Cleaners

Home ultrasonic cleaners are best used for karat gold jewelry without gemstones. The ultrasonic may also be suitable for some diamond-set jewelry; however, the intense vibrations can loosen gems. DO NOT use the ultrasonic on porous gems such as lapis, coral, pearl or dyed gemstones.