Although fine jewellery is gorgeous by definition, a lot of sparkling beauties struggle to live up to their potential when mistreated. To make the most of your collection of golden goodies, take the necessary steps to ensure splendour that lasts a lifetime.
Diamonds
The old saying, “Diamonds are forever,” might be true, but serious misery can still befall your diamond jewellery if you’re careless.
For example, the safety of your diamonds lies in the condition of their settings. To prevent the loss of a precious stone, have the health of claws and collets checked by a professional every so often. Once every two years should be enough, but for items worn daily (like engagement rings), once a year is the rule.
Furthermore, despite being the hardest gem, diamonds can still chip, crack and shatter from excessive impact. Rather, leave your diamonds off when heading to the gym or rummaging around in the garden.
Coloured stones
A lot of coloured stones are softer than you might think. Tanzanite, for example, has a Mohs hardness of 6.5 to 7—meaning keys or coins won’t scratch it, but its perfect directional cleavage makes it brittle. A sudden impact against a heavy item in your purse or a stray piece of metal cutlery while washing dishes can easily chip or crack the gemstone. Bear this in mind when rummaging through your purse. Washing the dishes is also preferably a ringless activity. Who knows what a stray piece of cutlery might do to your beautiful gems?
Pearls
As the natural product of a secretive sea creature, pearls are delicate beings with a tendency to get scratched. Best practice is to store your string of pearls separately from other jewellery, preferably rolled in soft material like satin. As a matter of interest, pearls do benefit from being worn regularly because ambient air prevents them from drying out. However, skin oils and perspiration are slightly acidic and will slowly erode the delicate nacre over time, causing the pearl to go dull. To protect their shine, always wipe your pearls with a soft, damp cloth after taking them off.
Mind where you spray your perfume, though; harsh chemicals make pearls go dull quicker than you can say Chanel No.5. The same applies to soap and hair products.
Chains and pendants
As a rule of thumb, a chain must never be lighter than the pendant it accommodates. Carrying too much of a load can strain delicate links and eventually wear them beyond repair. In addition, sticking to one type of metal is a good habit. An 18ct gold pendant, for example, will undergo the least amount of wear and tear when worn on an 18ct gold chain.
To prevent fine necklaces from tangling in your jewellery box, wind each around something soft like a bit of cloth or tissue paper. Alternatively, kit out your dressing table with a few hooks to keep your goodies dangling and tangle-free.
At Mark Solomon Jewellers, we love to go the extra mile towards ensuring your jewellery is of the highest quality. Visit our showroom for a gander at some of the most exquisite diamonds in town, to have your dream piece custom-designed, or even just to let us check the health of your old favourites.
