Tag: vintage engagement rings

There are a billion home methods to cleaning jewelry online but how do you know if the method is safe for the metal that it will be safe for the stone set within.  Most metal methods of cleaning; when it comes to jewelry do not take into consideration the precious stones within.  As with different methods that best suit each type of metal found within jewelry there are best methods of cleaning precious and semi-precious stones as well.

Gemstones

When you are cleaning gemstones never soak them in water especially when the stones are set in using glue. The water will loosen the glue and cause the gemstones to be come loose and fall out.  The best way to clean gemstone jewelry is using a soft, damn cloth that has been soaked in a mixture of warm water and soap, wring out the cloth and wipe the piece down thoroughly.  After this process has been completed you will want to hang the piece; this will help ensure that the water does not stay between the glue and the stone.

Pearls that are dirty to the naked eye should be washed using a solution of one teaspoon of Woolite diluted with a quart of warm water.  The piece should only be soaked in the solution for about ten to fifteen seconds.  After this has been done the pearl should be wiped with a soft cotton cloth and laid flat to dry.  After the pearl is clean and dried it should be stored in a cotton bag.  Never store pearls in plastic or with any other types of jewelry.  Pearls should be stored alone and not allowed to rub against other pieces or one another.  Where pearls regularly as your natural oils will help keep the luster of pearls.  Dry cotton cloths can be rubbed over the pieces before they are worn to bring out their shine.

An old wise tale with diamond jewelry is that the luster is brought out using a mixture of warm water and toothpaste.  This is not a method I recommend.  Diamond jewelry and its sheen come out better using warm soapy water and a soft bristled brush.  Brush the diamonds with the soft bristled brush under the mixture of soap and water.  Rinse the piece with warm water and allow it to air dry.

Turquoise is cleaned using warm soapy water.  Never submerge turquoise as the material is incredibly porous and will allow the water to seep in.  This will eventually cause discoloration.  You should avoid all types of commercial cleansers as they are overly harsh for turquoise.  The same is true for pearls. Commercial cleansers tend to be overly harsh for semi-precious stones and precious stones alike.

Cleaning your stones is as important as cleaning the metals that house the piece.  Be it gold, white gold, silver, platinum or titanium the metal is as important as the stone set inside.  Be sure to clean each of your pieces of jewelry taking into consideration both the stone and the metal.

DaRoche Jewelers is on online jewelry company with a local feel.  You will find a variety of options in jewelry, including custom diamond solitaire engagement rings, online at http://www.darochejewelers.com/.

Jewelry made out of gold does not tarnish like silver tends to however it does dull out with the accumulation of filth that builds up over time. The good news is that it is easy to restore the luster and shine gold is known for. Gold it the easiest material jewelry is made from to bring back its gleam with ordinary things that can be found around the home.

The first method is cleaning gold jewelry using dish soap.  Fill a small bowl with warm water, seltzer water or club soda and a few drops of liquid dish soap.  The carbonation of the seltzer water or club soda is better for loosening thick grime and build-ups.  Note that the liquid should be warm but not boiling.  Boiling water would be hard on fragile precious stones and may cause them to crack.  Soak the pieces in the solution for fifteen to twenty minutes.  It will soak into all the crevices within the jewelry loosening up the dirt.  After soaking, gently scrub the pieces with a child size toothbrush.  Rinse with the piece with warm water and blot the pieces of jewelry dry and leave them out to thoroughly dry in a safe spot.

Another method that works well to clean gold jewelry is using ammonia.  This is a more powerful cleanser and is best to be used only for deep cleaning.  This is not the method that should be used for weekly cleanings on your gold jewelry.  When using ammonia mix one part ammonia to six parts water.  This will ensure that the mixture will not be overly powerful.  The pieces should soak for no more than one minute as ammonia tends to be corrosive.  Remove the pieces carefully using a strainer and rinse with warm water.  Dry the pieces off with a soft polishing cloth and allow to thoroughly dry off in a safe spot.

If your gold jewelry includes gemstones that are glued in you will want to clean them using the next technique.  Gemstones that are glued in should never be soaked in water.  The water will loosen the glue and the gemstones will be compromised. Wipe gold gemstone jewelry with a soapy wet cloth and gently scrub the pieces. Rinse the pieces using a wet cloth and plain water.  Places the pieces on a soft cloth or hang them upside to ensure a thoroughly dried.  If the piece is not dried appropriately the water could lead to lost gemstones.

Another method that brings out the shine in gold jewelry is a mixture of toothpaste and water.  Take a small amount of toothpaste into the palm of your hand and mix in some water making a paste.  This can also be done in a small bowl.  Using an old toothbrush, take the mixture and scrub the piece of gold jewelry. Rinse with warm water and let the piece dry.  This is a quick method to remove grime and bring out the shine in gold jewelry and precious stones.

DaRoche Jewelers is on online jewelry company with a local feel.  You will find a variety of options in jewelry, including custom diamond solitaire engagement rings, online at http://www.darochejewelers.com/.

Your wedding day is one of the most important days in your life. All eyes are on you. It is fascinating as well as a bit scary and intimidating. For brides that are not accustomed to being the center of attention it can be a bit overwhelming. Every detail is important on your wedding day especially when it comes to how you look and feel. When you are a bride that is not used to pulling accessories together matching jewelry with a dress as well as a hair style and appropriate make up can be a tremendous stress.

When it comes time to think about accessories especially your wedding jewelry there will be a lot to think about. Even without a lot of practice in purchasing jewelry with a little guidance you can find something that you are in love with and that is stunning with your dress, hair and makeup.

First think about any bridal jewelry or pieces that you have been handed down. Often time’s sentimental jewelry is the best option to start with when considering bridal jewelry. A piece of jewelry that has been handed down from generation to generation often changes to match the bride. It is amazing how it happens. If you don’t think you can wear the same earrings your grandma wore when she walked down the aisle in a lengthy lace gown with your strapless tulle you may want to reconsider. Check it out all together before you discount any heirloom piece you may be considering.

No matter what style dress, unless of course you are wearing a high neck or halter, can be accessorized with a simple necklace. If you have an incredibly intricate wedding dress choose a super simple necklace. If your dress is incredibly plain you can choose to accessorize with a minimal necklace or to go with some extra bling to bring attention up to your face. If you find that you have a dress that is pretty detailed you won’t want to accessorize with a necklace that draws attention up. You will want to leave eyes on you in your dress as that is most likely the reason you fell in love with it in the first place.

When it comes to earrings you will really want to consider your hair style and then the dress. If you are going to wear your hair pulled back away from your face it is appropriate to wear more intricate earrings. However if you are thinking that you want to style your hair down or half up, half down keep the earring choice simple and stick with studs. You will already have enough going on with your hairstyle to forgo glitzy earrings.

Bridal jewelry, like every other detail with your wedding is dictated by you. When you are purchasing pieces for your wedding consider purchasing pieces that you can wear in your everyday life as well. A pair of diamond stud earrings and a simple diamond pendant necklace can be bridal jewelry one day and an everyday staple accessory the next.

DaRoche Jewelers is on online jewelry company with a local feel. You will find a variety of options in jewelry, including custom diamond solitaire engagement rings, online at http://www.darochejewelers.com/.

It’s that time of year, wedding season.  The spring and summer season is a busy time of year for many different types of celebrations including getting married.  Jewelry becomes a hot seller amongst online jewelry companies as well right around this time, coincidence? We think not.  The truth is that wedding jewelry is usually one of the last things that brides and groom purchase.  It is best to wait until the brides dress and bridesmaid dresses come in order to get a true feel for them.  Once you make some final decisions with the dress in hand about things as simple as your hair style you will be better set to make decisions on bridal jewelry.

What you choose as far as bridesmaid’s jewelry is significant as you want it to not only fit with the style of the dress and occasion but you also want it to be something that they will treasure and find use for in the future.  There is a lot to consider such as the style of your wedding; is the wedding super formal or more laid back and casual?  Also consider the time of day, the dress that was chosen, hairstyle choice and wedding theme.

When looking at the style of the wedding choose appropriate pieces.  A chunky statement piece may not be as appropriate for a casual wedding as it would be for a formal occasion.  Casual weddings call for a more understated approach to jewelry.  With a casual or intimate wedding a simple pair of studs or drop earring with a pendant necklace is most appropriate.

The theme and color of the wedding should also be a consideration when it comes to bridal party jewelry.  For instance as wedding that is beach themed jewelry could include pearls or shells combined with crystals.  Or with a vineyard wedding you could bring in a hint of color based around the dress and wine that will be served.  There are elegant ways to bring the theme of your wedding into your choice of jewelry for your bridesmaids.

A wedding I attended recently was placed in a grand garden setting.  The bride chose to give each of the bridesmaid’s elegant jewelry fashioned to resemble the flower.  It was beautiful, classic and tied together in the most stylish manner without being too much.  The earrings were small silver drop earrings shaped in a belle just like the bud of the flower.  The necklace was a more elaborate piece using the belle shape that was represented in the earrings mixed in with a combination of silver, crystal and pearl.  Stunning is the only adjective to describe the jewelry.  Come to find out after the wedding the groom had also had a ring made for his bride fashioned in the same design as the jewelry she had given her bridesmaid.

Consider the dress neckline as well as the hairstyles that your bridesmaids will be wearing.  If hair is going to be swept up it is feasible to do a chunky earring however if hair is going to be warn loose and down it is best to stick with a simple understated stud earring.  The same is true for a necklace. If the top of the gowns are heavily designed there is no need to have a drastic necklace however with a simpler gown a necklace can bring attention up to your face.

DaRoche Jewelers is on online jewelry company with a local feel.  You will find a variety of options in jewelry, including custom diamond solitaire engagement rings, online at http://www.darochejewelers.com/.

When buying anything online you may feel you are putting yourself at risk; this is especially true when it comes to online jewelry purchases. Jewelry purchases can be made with very little risk online with the following crucial pieces in place.

When looking to make a jewelry purchase online first check to make sure the site you are buying from offers a secure checkout.  Look for a SSL encryption or certificate upon checking out.  If you can’t find one or are unsure you can call to speak with the company.  A reputable company will have a quality website with employees available to take your phone calls and answer questions about their products as well as their website check out process. A professional and reputable online jeweler will have a specialized shopping cart in place with proper identification so that buyers know they are secure when checking out.

What is the online reputation of the jeweler?  Do a thorough review on the Internet into the company as well as with the Better Business Bureau.  Check any and all reviews.  Another good tip is to look at the about us section on the company’s website.  Many local, small town jewelers are expanding to the web.  These jewelers can offer you lower prices, superior quality but don’t have the money to advertise with glitz and glamour.  This does not make them less reputable than big box companies, if anything you may receive better service because they have a smaller number of clients to make happy.

Find out about the companies return policy and warranties offered.  The price of the piece should not be a concern at all when it comes to the companies warranty and return policy.  If a return needs to be processed are you limited to store credit or will you get a complete and full return of the purchase price?  Is there a restocking fee? Stones and jewelry settings should come with at least a five year warranty.  A solid product warranty, in my opinion, equals a solid company to purchase online from.

If you are looking into purchasing gemstones or diamonds you will want to find out as much information about the piece as possible.  You should have information such as the cut, color, clarity and carat weight as well as who they use to grade their stones.  Check to make sure that the stones are procured through legal sources.  If this is not clearly stated on the site you may want to call and check with the company.  It is important that you are not buying stones that are illegally being sold.  You also want to make sure the person grading the quality of the gemstone or diamond is reputable.

Purchasing jewelry online might take a bit more time and research than going to a big box store.  The benefit is in the cost savings and convenience that is gotten from purchasing jewelry online.  If you find an online company that you are drawn to but still feel uneasy about purchasing online call them.  Many online jewelers have local store fronts and would be just as happy to deal with you via phone, email and if the chance arises in person.

DaRoche Jewelers is on online jewelry company with a local feel.  You will find a variety of options in jewelry, including custom diamond solitaire engagement rings, online at http://www.darochejewelers.com/.

Properly caring for jewelry is something that many people struggle with.  When it comes to wearing, cleaning, repairing, storing and shipping jewelry these tips will benefit your pieces no matter how much or how little they cost; the value of jewelry is the value your heart places on it.

The Basics In Wearing Jewelry

When it comes to wearing your favorite pieces of jewelry take care when performing everyday tasks.  When you are performing manual tasks such as cleaning the house or changing the oil in your car wearing your jewelry leads to exposure to harsh chemical s and physical damage.  It is better to remove your jewelry before many everyday physically demanding tasks.  It is also important that when applying makeup and playing sports that you safely store your jewelry.  Makeup, perfume and lotions can damage the appearance of jewelry.  In sports your pieces could become damage or even cause damage to your or another player.  It is best to avoid wearing jewelry when participating in sports.

Correctly Cleaning Jewelry Pieces

For the longest time cleaning jewelry meant I would wear it into the shower.  This is the exact opposite of cleaning your jewelry.  Soap and chemicals in shampoos can harm jewelry.  When cleaning jewelry it is found that a homemade cleaning solution or one purchased from your jeweler are the best options.  Be careful not to soak the pieces for too long and be gentle when cleaning settings and stones.  Using a polishing cloth can be helpful as well as they prevent film build up and are free of loose strings and threads that accompany many towels.  Another tip is to always rise the piece in warm water.  Hot water can cause certain types of metal to tarnish. When cleaning each piece check for any damage that has occurred.  A detailed inspection can prevent the loss of a treasured heirloom.

Reputable Jewelry Repair

You should be confident in the jewelry check in procedure upon dropping off your piece for repair.  Make sure they document each piece with a detailed description and that they do an inspection of gemstones and diamonds.  The same documents should be matched up with the documentation you have when picking the pieces up after repair.  Ask friends and neighbors for a referral based on previous jewelry repairs they were happy with.  When you meet with the jeweler that will be repairing your piece determine if it will be sent out or if the piece is repaired in house.  In house jewelry repair is always the safest option.

Storing Jewelry For Safe Keeping

Storing your jewelry when you are not wearing it is as important as any step in the process of owning and caring or jewelry.  Keep your pieces in a secure, organized location.  To prevent jewelry from tarnishing you can place anti tarnish strips in your jewelry box that will help collect any extra moisture and oxidants to help to prevent a build up from occurring.  It is also advisable that all jewelry that is being stored be inventoried in detail with pictures and documentation.  This is helpful if your jewelry is ever stolen.  It will be simple to see what pieces are missing based on your documentation.

Shipping Jewelry Safely

When you are shipping jewelry it is essential to use more than one box.  Never ship jewelry in only the box it comes in.  A piece should be secured in a jewelry holder and placed in an otter padded shipping box.  Padding should be added to prevent the inside box from moving at all.  All jewelry shipped should be documented properly and insured.  All boxes that contain jewelry should be secured well with tape.  The receiver should always have to sign for the package.  Never allow a shipper to leave boxes without it being signed off on.  If possible eliminate any wording on the box that refers to what the contents are inside the box.  All labels referring to jewelry should be removed prior to shipping.

The tips above will help you in the future when it comes to all the faucets involved in protecting your jewelry pieces.

DaRoche Jewelers is on online jewelry company with a local feel.  You will find a variety of options in jewelry, including custom diamond solitaire engagement rings, online at http://www.darochejewelers.com/.