Proper Jewelry Care Tips

You can simply wipe away grime with a soft cloth moistened in warm water. The cloth should pick up the lotions, perfumes, oils and other grime that can coat the surface of a crystal. Crystal is not a porous material, but harsh chemicals can strip the luster from crystals with the aurora borealis coating. If your jewelry has dirt in hard-to-reach places, soak your crystal jewelry in warm water with a touch of mild detergent (dish or laundry soap). Then use a soft bristled toothbrush to GENTLY brush away dirt. (Note: if crystals are mixed with gemstones, DO NOT SOAK OR USE SOAP! Refer to gemstone care below to learn why.)

Diamonds, rubies, and sapphires (precious stones) are among the toughest, most durable substances on earth. Because their molecular structure is very tightly constructed they are not porous, and therefore they can be cleaned with ammonia. However, semi-precious gemstones, like lapis lazuli, turquoise, malachite, amber, opal, jade, etc., are very porous stones and can absorb liquids if soaked. Over time, water and detergents trapped inside the stones can diminish their natural colors. It is recommended to clean your gemstone jewelry with a soft cloth moistened with warm water. It is common among those who use stones for healing purposes to soak gemstones in water to cleanse away negative energy and restore positive energy. I suppose that is fine if you are using stones for purely meditative and healing purposes, and plan to replace your stones often. But for those who use gemstones as decorative jewelry, try to stay away from soaking your gemstones if you like their vibrant color.

Though extremely beautiful, pearls are quite fussy and require extra care. The luster of natural pearls can diminish, over time, with excessive contact to perfumes, oils, hair products, etc. Pearls are porous and soft, oweing to the fact that they are comprised of 2-4% water, which allows them to be scratched and flawed easily. In addition, excessive dry air and heat can make pearls become brittle (remember, pearls are formed in relatively cool water). So, my recommendation is to: 1. put your pearl jewelry on after you apply perfumes, hairsprays, and lotions to minimize contact; 2. wipe them down with a soft wet cloth after every use (I know it may not be realistic to expect you to clean them after every use, but the better care you give pearls, the longer the luster will last.); 3. store them in a breathable bag away from jewelry which may scratch their surface (do not use plastic bags as they are not very breathable...try an organza bag or gift box); and 4. store them at room temperature and do not expose them to blow dryers.

As many of you may know, silver is a natural metal that oxidizes the longer it maintains contact with air. Rubbing a simple polishing cloth over silver, every-so-often, will keep it nice and shiny. To remove dirt or sticky substances, use a soft wet cloth, dry thoroughly, then use the polishing cloth to slow the oxidation process.

Part of the allure of gold is that it does not tarnish, rust, corrode. However, use of abrasive chemical cleaners will strip away its natural luster and shine. Thus, using a soft wet cloth is your best bet. If you need to remove dirt and other unwanted substances in hard-to-reach places, you can also use a soft-bristled toothbrush with warm water and a gentle detergent. Also, avoid storing your gold near diamonds or other hard gemstones, as they may scratch gold surfaces.

At Moonlit Waters we primarily use Swarovski pearls for all jewelry created with replica pearls. Since crystal/glass pearls have an opalescent coating, it is recommended to clean these beads with a soft wet cloth and no abrasive cleaners.

All glass beads can be cleaned with a soft wet cloth and mild detergent. Avoid abrasive cleaners, as some glass beads may have an aurora borealis coating.