Valentino Jewellery Studio
& Goldsmith Academy
Jewellery Maintenance Advice
Caring for your pearls
Gently wipe the pearls with a warm, damp cloth to remove body oils or dirt (which may harm the colours) before putting them away.
Keep pearls away from chlorine bleach, vinegar, ammonia, hairspray, perfume, and cosmetics, as these substances will damage the pearl surface
Wash pearls periodically with mild soap (NOT detergent) and a soft cloth. When finished washing the pearls, rinse them in clean water and wrap them in a thin, damp cotton towel to dry. If the pearls are especially dirty, wipe the pearl with acetone nail polish remover. Acetone will not damage the pearls. DO NOT use jewellery cleaners containing ammonia or vinegar.
Pearls should be stored away from other objects or jewellery that may scratch the pearls' surface. Wrap the pearls in linen, soft cloth, or place in a soft pouch. Do NOT store pearls in an airtight package such as a plastic bag because pearls need moisture. If the environment is too dry, the pearls may crack. If placing the pearls in a safety deposit box or in a hot environment, leave a damp cloth nearby.
Restring pearls once a year if worn often. Be sure to have each pearl knotted separately, preferably with silk, so they do not rub together and wear on the pearl nacre. If pearls are very small, knots between each pearl may be undesirable.
Cleaning your
jewellery
1. A popular home recipe for cleaning silver requires nothing more than a little aluminum foil, baking soda and hot water. Cover the bottom of a glass bowl with foil. Place your silver jewellery on the sheet, then sprinkle all with a generous tablespoon of baking soda (some recipes suggest adding salt and dish soap, but this is optional). Cover the plate and jewellery with boiling water and let stand for 10 to 15 minutes. Rinse your jewellery thoroughly with clean water. The tarnish is transferred to the sheet, leaving the jewellery with a shiny surface.
2. Mix Sunlight liquid (±1 tsp) with a dash of Tartaric acid and hot water in a cup. Soak jewellery in solution, swishing around gently, just for a few seconds first to make sure nothing gets damaged. Using an old toothbrush, brush jewellery pieces gently. Rinse jewellery thoroughly under runnung luke warm water. Use a soft microfiber or similar cloth to dry.
3. Use window cleaner to spruce up jewellery that is all metal or has crystalline gemstones, such as diamonds or rubies. Spray on the cleaner, and then use an old toothbrush for cleaning. But don’t do this if the piece has opaque stones such as opal or turquoise or organic gems such as coral or pearl. The ammonia and detergents in the cleaner can discolor these gems.