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VSC
Jewelry
by
Valentina Signature Collection
3130-D Balfour Road, #213, Brentwood, CA 94513
Toll-Free: 1-877-890-GOLD • Fax: 1-925-516-8819
"You
Deserve the Best!"
how to clean different gemstones with safety
Listed below are the most common gemstones
and a chart showing the safe methods for cleaning each gemstone. We have found in
our business that one of the best ways to clean any gemstone that can be cleaned with soap
and water is to spray Windex on the jewelry item and wipe it clean with a soft, clean
cloth. Under no circumstances would you want to clean pearls, amber, or opals using
any type of solution. Be sure to clean these items carefully using only a dry soft
cloth. Following the chart are some jewelry care Do's and Don'ts that you won't want
to miss.
GEMSTONE
CLEANING METHODS
|
| |
STABLE WHEN
CLEANED WITH OR BY: |
GEMSTONE |
TOUGHNESS |
STEAMING |
ULTRASONIC |
BOILING |
CLEANERS |
SOAP |
UNTREATED
CLOTH |
| Alexandrite |
Excellent |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Amber |
Poor |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
| Amethyst |
Good |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Aquamarine |
Fair |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Citrine |
Good |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Coral |
Fair |
No |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
| Diamond |
Good |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Emerald |
Poor |
No |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
| Garnet |
Good |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Iolite |
Poor |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
| Lapis Lazuli |
Fair |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Opal |
Poor |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
| Pearl |
Poor |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
| Peridot |
Poor |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
| Ruby |
Excellent |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Sapphire |
Excellent |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Spinel |
Good |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Tanzanite |
Poor |
No |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
| Topaz |
Poor |
No |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
| Tourmaline |
Good |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Turquoise |
Good |
No |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
| Zircon |
Fair |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Do's and Don'ts For Jewelry Care
DO:
 | Keep your jewelry clean always.
Grit from dust and makeup will cause premature wear and tear in joints as in
bracelets or other friction joints.
|
| Make it a regular practice to
visually inspect your jewelry periodically. Don't just take your jewelry for
granted. Pay close attention to the condition of prongs, catches, rings, etc.
looking for signs of wear or bending. One slightly bent prong could loose your
stone. Also latches and catches on chains and bracelets should close with and
audible snap. If not, they may not be working properly.
|
| Store your jewelry carefully at home
and while traveling. Keep jewelry in separate cloth bags or pockets to prevent
tangling or scratching. We will provide a beautiful gift box with each jewelry item
we sell.
|
| Remember, preventive maintenance is
your best insurance and will save you time and money in the long run. Have repairs
done promptly when needed and your fine jewelry will last many generations.
|
DON'T:
| Don't put jewelry loose in your
pocket or purse. This is the most common way jewelry becomes damaged.
|
| It seems obvious, but don't wear your
jewelry while doing rough work such as gardening. It is surprising how many people
do this and damage their wedding rings.
|
| Don't wear any gold or silver jewelry
when swimming in a pool. The chlorine in the pool water reacts with the precious
metals. A little bit of the metal dissolves in the water with each contact.
The effect is cumulative, but, in time, the metal becomes brittle and is susceptible to
cracking, especially in the prongs and filigrees. The net result is the loss of
stones and the breaking of chains and bracelets around the clasps.
|
| Don't sleep wearing your chains or
delicate bracelets. They can easily become pulled or kinked during sleep.
Earrings can come off and could even cause injury. Chains can become broken from
kinks.
|
Originals by Valentina
Signature Collection 1-877-890-GOLD
3130-D Balfour Road, #213, Brentwood, CA 94513
Copyright ©1997, 1998, 1999 - 2006 by
Valentina Signature Collection |
