Caring for and protecting your necklace
Storage of your necklace
Given the sheer weight of your necklace, it is best to store them lying flat in a storage box or drawer. To avoid strand breakage, you should try and avoid crimping and kinking. Like all designers of substantial pieces, we recommend to have your jewellery restrung periodically.
Semi-precious stones and chemicals are not a good mix
Hairspray, perfume, cosmetics and fine jewellery are not a good mix; therefore it is a good idea to apply these products before putting on your jewellery. This is the best way to minimize the amount of hair and body care products to come into contact with the jewellery.
Always remove your jewellery before using any product that contains bleach. Bleach will cause silver, gold and other metal alloys to breakdown leaving the metal irreparably damaged. This includes swimming pools and bathing in hot tubs as chlorine products are added to prevent bacteria growth.
Cleaning your necklace
No matter how many websites recommend cleaning jewellery with toothpaste, please stay clear of toothpaste and other household cleaning agents because they may be too abrasive and damage the surface of your semi-precious and precious stones. Toothpaste will particularly scuff the surface of pearls and soft stones such as amber, lapis, turquoise, resulting in the fine polish which was produced by the skilled lapidary to be permanently marred.
Ultrasonic cleaners may be appropriate for cleaning some jewellery but they care known to damage some gemstones. Repeated use can also loosen the settings and you could lose your precious gems. A simple damp cloth or jeweller’s cloths will keep your jewelry clean and shiny and remove any traces of cosmetic product or body oils.
How to extend the life of your necklace
Also, some stones can be quite porous (such as opal, pearl, turquoise), therefore you shouldn’t leave these kind of stones immersed in water for too long. Finally, don’t store your necklace in full sunlight, since stones like amethyst, aquamarine or rose quartz might become paler.
