Care
& Cleaning

Taking care of your jewelry is like taking care of your car — both need regular maintenance. Jewelry is at risk for accidental damage that requires repairs and sometimes replacement.

Personal jewelry insurance policies cover repairs or replacement when damage is sudden and accidental, like a lost stone or broken link. But it is not intended for regular wear and tear. Examples of regular maintenance includes periodic cleaning and re-tipping of loose stones. It also includes repair or replacement of a loose clasp. Gold, for instance, is a soft metal. This means that gold will give with use and requires occasional adjustments.

Gems and precious metals are natural products which require special care. Even though a gem may be thousands of years old, once it is mined and worn, it is exposed to conditions and chemicals that can damage it.

The harder the gem, the less susceptible to potential damage. A diamond, for example is the hardest gem known to man, and that's one reason why "it is forever."

DON'T wear fine jewelry when doing housework or gardening.
DON'T throw your jewelry into one drawer. Remember that a diamond
ring can scratch that pearl necklace. Keep your jewelry pieces separate
and wrapped in velvet, paper or silk.
DON'T use toothpaste to clean fine jewelry. It is abrasive and will damage softer gems and metals.

DO check for loose stones frequently by gently tapping the piece with your finger near your ear.
DO get pearls re-strung every
two years or annually if you wear them frequently.
DO clean fine jewelry often. Soaking pieces in warm soapy water for 10 minutes (use non-detergent soap)
can safely clean all fine jewelry.
Use a soft brush on harder gems to loosen any dirt around prongs.
To reduce oily buildup on diamond jewelry, dip it in plain alcohol before soaking.

Hardness is based on a gem-trade standard called the Mohs Scale. The scale was developed in the early 19th century and is structured so that materials rated at each higher number can scratch those with lower numbers. Diamonds are rated the highest at 10; rubies and sapphires are Mohs 9; emeralds and topaz are Mohs 8; and garnet, tourmalines and quartz are rated 7. Anything softer than a 7 can be scratched, including opal, turquoise, lapis lazuli, coral and pearl.

Gold, silver and platinum are only Mohs 2.5 to 4. That means they require special care when wearing, storing or cleaning.

The amount of routine maintenance your jewelry needs depends on the item and how you wear and take care of it. If you wear your rings all the time, they may need more cleaning and repair than a necklace that you wear on special occasions.

Dirt in your jewelry will cause it to wear more quickly. Talk to your jeweler about how to clean your jewelry safely.

Routine cleaning and inspections by Morris Jewelers will keep your jewelry in good repair and helps to assure many years of enjoyment.