Jewelry Care Tips
We want you to get the most out of your investment in fine jewelry, and keep it looking like new. The general rule is to avoid going to bed with or showering with your fine jewelry.
At the pool or the beach
Sunscreen and Lotion
These have a tendency to leave a film on your diamond. When you get home, use mild soapy water to rinse your jewelry (you could also use a soft toothbrush to reach into crevices if the lotion is stubborn). Wash with clean water and pat dry.
Emeralds, Sapphires, Tanzanites and Opals
These should never be worn at the beach because the sand can abrade the stone and leave scratches. If you do have scratches, bring your jewelry into Stittgen Fine Jewelry, and we’ll do our best to polish the stones and restore them to their former brilliance.
Non-Divers Watches
Most watches that are not made for diving, are only somewhat waterproof. A splash of water or a quick shower may be OK, but the force of diving into the water or being submerged several feet underwater may be too much for your watch. If you suspect water has entered the movement (or if the crystal has fogged up), dry the exterior of the watch thoroughly and pull out the crown (as you would to change the time). This will allow the water inside to start to evaporate. Then you can bring the watch to Stittgen or a trusted watchmaker so the watch can be opened and the movement dried and tested.
Don't Lose Your Ring
Beaches are a common place to lose your ring. This is partly because hands can become cold in the ocean water. This causes fingers to shrink slightly, allowing the ring to slip off. So it’s best to remove your jewelry before taking a dip!
It’s best to not wear your jewelry and watch when you go to the beach or to the pool. But if you do, here are some tips:
SUNSCREEN AND LOTION
These have a tendency to leave a film on your diamond. When you get home, use mild soapy water to rinse your jewelry (you could also use a soft toothbrush to reach into crevices if the lotion is stubborn). Wash with clean water and pat dry.
EMERALDS, SAPPHIRES, TANZANITES AND OPALS
These should never be worn at the beach because the sand can abrade the stone and leave scratches. If you do have scratches, bring your jewelry into Stittgen Fine Jewelry, and we’ll do our best to polish the stones and restore them to their former brilliance.
NON-DIVERS WATCHES
Most watches that are not made for diving, are only somewhat waterproof. A splash of water or a quick shower may be OK, but the force of diving into the water or being submerged several feet underwater may be too much for your watch. If you suspect water has entered the movement (or if the crystal has fogged up), dry the exterior of the watch thoroughly and pull out the crown (as you would to change the time). This will allow the water inside to start to evaporate. Then you can bring the watch to Stittgen or a trusted watchmaker so the watch can be opened and the movement dried and tested.
DON’T LOSE YOUR RING
Beaches are a common place to lose your ring. This is partly because hands can become cold in the ocean water. This causes fingers to shrink slightly, allowing the ring to slip off. So it’s best to remove your jewelry before taking a dip!
Care for your pearls
Pearls love to be worn. They like the oils from your skin, but not chemicals. So pearls should be the last thing you put on when getting dressed, after the hairspray and perfume. Occasionally, gently wipe down your pearls with a slightly damp soft cloth.
Always store pearls in a soft pouch or box, and do not mix them with other jewelry. Pearls do not like to be stored for years in a dry place (like a safety deposit box), as they can start to yellow if not worn. Keep an eye on the stringing of the pearls. If the string appears dirty or starts to unravel, bring your pearls to us for restringing. If pearls are worn often, restringing them every three years is a good idea.
Allergy to some metals
If you get a red rash or itchy skin when you wear some jewelry, you may have a nickel allergy. Nickel is often added in different quantities as an alloy to pure gold for making jewelry. The higher amount of nickel in white gold and in lower purity yellow gold (10K and 14K) can create an allergic reaction in some people. Stittgen Fine Jewelry almost exclusively uses 18K yellow gold, and we use platinum instead of white gold when an allergy is suspected.
The experts at Stittgen Fine Jewelry are here to answer your jewelry questions. Give us a call or drop by and we’d be happy to help.
Protect your jewelry with an appraisal
You look after your precious jewelry pieces, have them cleaned and polished, and store them carefully. But how do you protect these priceless possessions against the unthinkable? Most people rely on their home insurance policy to protect against loss and theft. But did you know that without a proper appraisal, you may not be able to recover the full value of your jewellery?
Getting a current appraisal done by a qualified, professional, accredited gemologist is a critical first step. An appraisal done even a couple of years ago may be out of date, given the changes in the price of gold and precious stones. With an appraisal, you will also be able to obtain special insurance coverage as “Scheduled Items”, which will provide coverage for the full value of your items regardless of the standard limits built into your basic policy.
It is important to get your appraisals from a trusted source. While you want to ensure you are fully insured, the opposite problem is also possible: unscrupulous jewelers have been known to provide grossly inflated appraisals with their products. This would end up unnecessarily increasing your insurance premiums. Stittgen Fine Jewelry provides appraisals from accredited appraisers who carefully inspect the jewelry under magnification and use their experience and knowledge of market conditions to arrive at accurate appraised values.
Keep the appraisal in a safe place, such as a safety deposit box, perhaps with an electronic copy stored in the Cloud. Make sure that the only copy is not in your home, as in case of a fire or other disaster you may lose both the jewellery and the appraisal.
An added benefit of the appraisal process is that a reputable jeweller will also check your jewelry for damage and ensure the setting holding your gems in place are in good order – something that should be done periodically, as a loose stone can be lost easily.
Appraisals and timely repairs can save you money, heartache and preserve the precious memories symbolized by your jewellery. Peace of mind – that’s what an appraisal brings.