How to Clean Precious & Semi-Precious Gems

HOW TO CLEAN PRECIOUS & SEMI-PRECIOUS GEMS

Proper Care & Cleaning

Most people have no idea how to care for the jewelry they own.  All gems can be cleaned safely using mild soap and water; however, detergents can leave a residue.  The jewelry should be rinsed thoroughly and a soft toothbrush used to reach underneath the prongs of mounted gems.  Contrary to popular belief, toothpaste should not be used!  Commercial cleaners are available in various formulas for specific uses such as diamonds, colored gems, or pearls.

Many people have purchased small ultrasonic cleaners for use at home.  A self-inflicted disaster can be avoided if you know that your ultrasonic cleaner should be used with caution.  Emerald, for example, is frequently treated with oil to conceal fractures and can be damaged in an ultrasonic.  Any gem with inclusions and some treated stones also can be damaged in an ultrasonic cleaner.  Organic gems are particularly susceptible to damage by an ultrasonic cleaner.  Porous gems, such as lapis, opal, or pearl, should never be cleaned this way.

Stanley’s Rule: If In Doubt…Don’t!

If you are ever in doubt about how to properly clean your gems and metals, please feel free to stop by the store any time with your jewelry for a thorough cleaning.  In the majority of cases, this is done while you wait at no charge.  We will clean your gems, polish the metals, and check the gems for security.

Cleaning Guide

The following gems are safe to clean in your ultrasonic at home: Garnet, Amethyst, Diamond, Alexandrite, Ruby, Sapphire, Tourmaline, and Citrine

The following gems should only be cleaned using mild soap, water, soft bristled brush, and then rinse thoroughly with luke warm water: Aquamarine, Emerald, Peridot, Opal, Topaz, and Tanzanite

Special Note: Pearls should only be cleaned using a lightly damp soft cloth.  Since chemicals such as cologne, perfumes, and hairspray can damage pearls, they should be the last item you put on when dressing and the first item you take off when you get back home.  They should not be stored with other jewelry!  Pearls are very porous and scratch easily.

PLATINUM BUYING GUIDE

The Platinum Buying Guide will be available soon.  Be sure to check our Blog daily.

Why Does White Gold Sometimes Appear Yellowish?

WHY DOES WHITE GOLD SOMETIMES APPEAR YELLOWISH?

Gold is yellow.  There is no such thing as naturally occurring white gold.  Historically, yellow gold is mixed (alloyed) with other metals to produce a white tone.  Gold needs to be alloyed if used in jewelry because pure gold (24k) is too soft to be made into durable jewelry.  Alloys used with gold to alter color and durability are copper, nickel, zinc, silver, and sometimes palladium.  Nickel, which has been used to alloy the white color in gold, is now used less often due to potential allergic skin reactions.  Gold alloyed in the European community is regulated to be Nickel Reduced or Nickel free.  As such, some white gold now produced may have a slightly butter yellow tone as a result.  To brighten nickel reduced white gold, jewelry is often rhodium plated to show a brighter (harder) silver finish and/or white gold may be alloyed with palladium to enhance the bright silver finish.

HOW TO CLEAN PRECIOUS & SEMI-PRECIOUS GEMS

Every gem cannot be cleaned the same way.  Important information will be available soon.

Be sure to check our Blog daily.

Antiques and Collectibles

ANTIQUES and COLLECTIBLES

Do you love art?  How about a mini-work of art that is wearable and displayable.  We would consider that to be the best of all worlds.  We are, of course, referring to “Cameos”.

Early Cameos were made from stone.  Workmen turned to shell in the 16^th century to meet the demand for Cameos made from onyx, agate, sardonyx, cornelian, coral, lava, jet, helmet and conche shells.  Standard shapes used are oval, round, square and rectangular.  The materials used to make frames or mountings include gold, silver, pinchback, gold-filled, cut steel and jet.  Jewelry items made using Cameos are bracelets, brooches, pendants, rings, earrings and watch fobs.

We invite you to come by Stanleys and see these exquisite works of art.  Our estate department has many Cameo examples for you to hold, inspect and study up close.  We will be more than happy to visit with you about these beautiful works of art.

GOOD HUNTING

While you’re here, just say “CAMEO” and receive a free watch battery.  This offer is valid thru Wednesday of this week.

What Causes Gold Smudge?

WHAT CAUSES GOLD SMUDGE?

Gold smudge is a dark ring around the finger where the ring is worn and often disappears on its own.  Causes may include one or a combination of the following:

·         Changes in the body chemistry such as diet, medicine, and/or allergies.

·         A reaction with cosmetics, perfume, lotions, and/or soaps.

·         Certain chemicals in the work place like cleaning or industrial chemicals.

Rarely, it can be improper gold refinement or improper sizing in which excess gold solder in contact with the skin is still evident.

Common Solutions Are:

·         Cleaning the ring

·         Resize to allow the skin some exposure to air

·         Change or stop using a particular soap or lotion

·         Have a Jeweler apply Rhodium which is a hypo-allergenic finish

WHY DOES WHITE GOLD SOMETIMES APPEAR YELLOWISH?

Why does white gold jewelry eventually appear to have a faint yellowish color?

  Be sure to check our Blog daily.

How to Clean Estate Jewelry

ESTATE JEWELRY TERMS TO KNOW

ESTATE JEWELRY TERMS TO KNOW

Art Deco – This pre-war design movement dates from 1925 to 1939.
Art Nouveau – This design bridged the transition to the modern era of the 20th century.
Cabochon – This decorative bead made of a gem or other organic material has a smooth domed shape.
Cameo – This is a portrait, usually of a woman, carved in low-relief style on a stone, gem or other organic material.
Edwardian – This refers to styles popular during the early years of the 20th century prior to the First World War.
Enamel – This paint, varnish or protective coating dries to a hard, glassy finish, features many colors and often has a brilliant shine.
Mine Cut – This diamond cut features a square with rounded corners and a round girdle. Dating from the 1700’s, this design is an early version of today’s brilliant cut.
Retro – For estate jewelry, this term often refers to a style popular during the 1940’s that featured large pieces and geometric shapes.
Rose Cut – This traditional cut for diamonds features a flat base and triangular facets that culminate in a point on top of the stone. The rose cut is rarely used today but can be seen in diamond jewelry dating from the early 20th century or earlier.
Signet – A signet is a personal implement, such as a ring, that has an engraved seal or name that identifies the owner and his elevated social status or occupation.

HOW TO CLEAN ESTATE JEWELRY
Estate Jewelry cleaning instructions will be available soon. Check our Blog daily.

What Is Estate Jewelry?

WHAT IS ESTATE JEWELRY?

The basic definition of estate jewelry is any estate piece that was previously owned. Just as people give other beautiful items, such estate silver or crystal, to family members as heirlooms or save and sell them as antiques, people also sell jewelry to merchants who specialize in vintage and/or high-end pieces.


The term estate jewelry refers to the fact that the jewelry is often part of the estate of someone who has passed away; in some cases, the previous owner just may have decided to sell his or her own items.

Sometimes the terms estate jewelry, antique jewelry and vintage jewelry seem to be used interchangeably; however, these terms have different meanings. Estate jewelry pieces are not necessarily old and can include fine jewelry from any era.

Antique jewelry is 100 years old or older; some collectors date it to 1920 and older. Vintage jewelry reflects the most distinctive or attractive design elements of a certain period, and the patterns and materials of vintage jewelry are still appealing to many people.