Pearl Care
Pearls are relatively soft and they can be scratched by hard substances like cement or bricks. Pearls are affected by perfume, hairspray, cosmetics, alcohol, bleach, chlorine and even acidic perspiration. It is recommended that you apply perfume and cosmetics before putting on your pearls.
Most strands of pearls are strung with knots between each pearl. This is partly to prevent pearls from rubbing against each other, but also so that the pearls will not all become dislodged if the thread should break. Modern thread used for stringing pearls should last for at least five years, but it is advisable to inspect the thread regularly. If there is a sign of fraying the strand should be rethreaded.
We suggest that after each time you wear your pearls you wipe them with a clean damp cloth to remove perspiration or cosmetics.
They should then be dried thoroughly before storing them in a jewellery box or a soft pouch where they will not be in contact with other jewellery, coins or similar which may scratch them. Pearls should never be stored in damp places, airtight containers or plastic bags.
Diamond Care
The only thing that can scratch a diamond is another diamond: therefore they should never be stored together in a pouch. Diamonds attract greasy residue which builds up from body oils, hand lotions and soap. This causes diamonds to lose their sparkle.
Diamond jewellery can be cleaned at home by soaking it in warm water with a little concentrated hair shampoo, then using a soft toothbrush to dislodge residue. This jewellery should then be rinsed in clean water and dried with a soft cloth.
The ideal way to clean diamond jewellery is to have it professionally cleaned by buffing the gold, immersing the jewellery for a few minutes in an ultrasonic bath and then steam cleaning. Linneys offers such a service free of charge for jewellery bought from one of our stores. The difference is remarkable and your jewellery will look ‘as new’ after a thorough clean and service.
Precious Metal Care
There are many ways of cleaning the precious metals in your jewellery. We recommend that you use a jewellery cleaning cloth to vigorously rub your jewellery until it shines.
Oxidisation can be removed by placing a few drops of ammonia in a cup of warm water and immersing your jewellery in this solution for up to fifteen minutes.
Gently scrub with a very soft toothbrush to remove any dark stains and then rinse the piece in clean water and allow to dry. Do not use this process to clean coloured gemstones or pearls
Helpful Hints
- Avoid wearing jewellery when gardening or doing heavy housework
- Remove jewellery carefully and avoid pulling on any gemstones
- Listen for loose gems by gently shaking the piece or by tapping it with your finger near your ear. If there is any sign of stones being loose make sure the settings are adjusted
- Check clasps and fasteners frequently
- Check whether your chain is solid or hollow. Solid link chains can be invisibly mended whereas hollow link or mesh chains cannot
- Mesh chains/necklets are best stored by laying flat in a curled circle
- Do not store your valuables clustered together. Wrap each piece of jewellery in velvet, tissue or silk
- Diamonds, rubies and sapphires will scratch or abrade other pieces of jewellery if they are in contact with each other
- Never use toothpaste to clean jewellery. Some toothpastes contain hard abrasives which may damage some gemstones and precious metals. Use strong commercial cleaners only when you are sure they will not damage your jewellery
- Black neoprene can be adversely affected by perfume and cosmetics
- Flexible wire necklets should be treated with care. You should avoid kinking them and always remove them before sleeping
- Flexible wires should always be stored flat and in a curled circle