CARING FOR YOUR JEWELLERY - GENERAL INFORMATION

​

Proper care and handling of your Blue Salt jewellery can help it maintain its beauty and sparkle for generations to come; proper care is essential to ensure it lasts.

Understanding the Moh's Scale:

​

The hardness of a gem is based on a gem trade standard called Moh’s Scale, developed in the 19th century. The scale rates the hardness of a material out of 10, and at each higher number, it can be abrasive to a material with a lower number. Diamonds are rated at the highest of 10; rubies and sapphires are 9; emeralds and topaz are 8; garnets, tourmalines, and quartz are 7. Those materials below 7 can be scratched or chipped easily if not worn with care. These gemstones include opal, turquoise, lapis lazuli, coral, and pearl.

​

Gold, silver, and platinum metals are only rated at between 2.5 and 4 on Moh’s scale of hardness, which means they require special care, cleaning, and storage.

General Do's & Don'ts:

 

• DO have your Blue Salt jeweller, check your rings and other Blue Salt jewellery for wear and tear, especially gem set jewellery where the setting or claws can become worn. Have your jewellery cleaned and polished at least once a year. We may recommend that this be done more frequently on certain pieces. Give us a call or book regular appointments with us on a yearly basis to have your precious treasures cleaned, polished, and checked.  To keep your Blue Salt jewellery in excellent condition, we offer a complimentary cleaning service to all of our valued customers. 
  
  For more information on how to organise your Blue Salt Jewellery cleaning and assessment appointment, go to our 'Service & Repairs' page and submit a request.  We will contact you within 2 working days to set up an appointment. 

​​

• DO get your jewellery insured.  Insuring your jewellery against theft, loss, or damage is a common practice, especially if the pieces are valuable or highly sentimental. However, it is extremely important that you do your research and choose the right insurance product to avoid being under-insured if you ever make a claim. Insurance companies will often require you to provide a certificate of valuation for insurance purposes or other documents (like a diamond certificate) before they cover your items.  All of our Blue Salt Jewellery comes with a valuation, which you can use for this purpose.  If you have home and contents insurance don't assume that your jewellery is covered.  It is prudent to inquire with your insurance company.  Click here to find out more about the process of insuring your jewellery. 

​​

• DO clean your diamonds (and mineral gemstones) with a mild liquid detergent and a soft brush, or one of the specially designed jewellery cleaners. Make sure not to clean them in the sink in the event that a stone becomes loose or the piece goes down the drain. Consider cleaning the jewellery item in a bowl. Make sure no gemstones have become loose and fallen out before you tip the cleaning solution down the sink!

​

• DO store your jewellery in a jewellery roll when traveling; it will keep the jewellery organised and free from tangles and scratches.

​

• DO remove jewellery when applying make-up and creams to avoid the residue getting into the texture or gemstone setting. Any residue dulls the shine of your ring and can damage certain organic gems. 

​​

• DON'T clean your own jewellery yourself without more specific knowledge about the material.

 

• AVOID wearing jewellery when doing physical work such as housekeeping, gardening, or exercise.
   

• DON'T EVER expose jewellery to household cleaning products, especially bleach and highly reactive solutions.
   

• AVOID spraying perfume or hairspray on the gemstones or pearls, as it jeopardizes the integrity of the material.

 

CARING FOR YOUR PEARLS

​

Pearls are among the most delicate luxuries, and it’s important to know how to care for your pearl jewellery properly. With a grade of four on the Mohs scale of hardness, pearls are easily scratched and abraded, even by other jewellery, and they are sensitive to a variety of common chemicals and cosmetics.

​

A few simple precautions can help you avoid unnecessary wear and damage to your pearl jewellery. It’s important to remember that settings, strings, and clasps should also be included in your care regime and will contribute to the overall condition of your jewellery.

      

Avoid contact with chemicals wherever possible. Some chemicals and cosmetics may harm your pearl jewellery. Always allow a few minutes after applying makeup, hairspray, and perfume before putting on your pearl jewellery.

 

Check clasps and fasteners frequently before you put on your pearl jewellery to make sure that any moving parts operate smoothly and close firmly. Aside from maintaining the aesthetic aspect of the piece, this will help to avoid jewellery coming loose and falling onto the ground or, worse, being lost.

 

Avoid contact with sharp or abrasive surfaces. The soft, luminous surface of pearls contrasts beautifully with other textures; however abrasive beading on clothing, rough fabrics, metal fasteners (e.g., zippers), and other jewellery or accessories can scratch or dull your pearls, particularly with frequent wear.

 

Take particular care with rings and bracelets. Jewellery on or near your hands is more at risk of encountering harmful chemicals and rough surfaces. Acids in food and perspiration can all damage your pearls, and any vigorous or messy activities should be avoided while wearing them.

 

Wipe the pearls gently after every use. After removing your beautiful pearl jewellery for the day, take a moment to wipe it clean with a soft cloth (e.g., a pearl cleaning cloth or a chamois) before storing it. Contact with your skin, perspiration, and cosmetics can leave an acidic residue which can dull the lustre of your pearls over time.

To maintain your pearls beauty and ensure they are safely secured, take us up on our complimentary clean and assessment at least once a year.

For more information on how to organise your Blue Salt Jewellery cleaning and assessment appointment, go to our 'Service & Repairs​' page and submit a request.  We will contact you within 2 working days to set up an appointment. 

​

CARING FOR YOUR PEARL STRAND

​

Your Blue Salt Pearl Strand has been delicately hand-strung using natural silk  thread.  A knot between each pearl is placed using this traditional stringing method to maintain the shape and feel of the strand and minimize the potential for lost pearls in the event that the strand should break.  Over time, it is inevitable that the silk will lose its integrity (for example, it may fray) as a result of general wear.  

If you're concerned that it may be time to re-strand your pearl necklace or bracelet, do bring it into our showroom or send it to us by post, and we will organize this service for you. Please be advised that there is a charge incurred with this service and not included in your warrantee. 

To organise this service, give us a call or contact us through our 'Service & Repairs​' page and submit a request.  We will contact you within 2 working days to set up an appointment. 

CARING FOR YOUR DIAMONDS (& other Mineral Gemstones)

​

With a score of 10 on the Moh's scale, diamonds are the most resilient of stones.  Rubies, sapphires, emeralds and topaz score above an 8, also making them quite robust! However, while the stones themselves may be resilient to breakage, it is important to understand that the delicate settings that these stones sit within can be susceptible to stone loss, regardless of craftsmanship or quality.

When wearing jewellery with delicate settings, avoid activities that might damage the settings, such as gardening or exercising with weights.

Use a polishing cloth to gently wipe your diamonds to maintain optimal luster. Additionally, you can also gently clean your gemstones using a mild, phosphate-free detergent mixed with warm water and a soft brush, like a toothbrush. Ensure all facets of the gem are reached, then rinse it thoroughly and pat it dry with a clean, lint-free cloth.

 

Take advantage of our complimentary cleaning service for optimal sparkle and have your jewellery assessed at least annually so that we can ensure that your diamonds and other precious stones are securely set in place!

​

For more information on how to organise your Blue Salt Jewellery cleaning and assessment appointment, go to our 'Service & Repairs​' page and submit a request.  We will contact you within 2 working days to set up an appointment. 

​

CARING FOR YOUR OPALS

 

Opal is a soft stone with approximately the same hardness as glass, so it is important to treat your opal carefully in order to avoid damaging it. Remove your opal jewellery if there is a chance it will be scratched or broken (i.e., working in the garden, moving furniture, etc.).
 

Many people believe solid opals can be damaged by water; however, this only applies to doublets and triplets, which here at Blue Salt Jewellers we don’t sell.  We only sell the highest-quality solid Australian Opals, Solid opals are fine in water. In fact, most precious opals contain about 5-6% water. As a result, opal may crack if subjected to very dry conditions or rapid changes in temperature. Try to avoid very high temperatures or low humidity extremes, such as boiling water or zero humidity bank vaults.
 

Solid opal should be cleaned gently with mild detergent in warm water and a soft toothbrush or cloth. Avoid bleach, chemicals, and cleaners. Never allow anyone to clean your opal with an ultrasonic cleaner, as the intense vibrations may cause cracking in a solid opal.

If your stone loses its shine or becomes scratched, bring it back to us! After years of wear, small scratches and scuff marks cause an opal to lose its shiny polish and become dull-looking. Our professional polishing can bring new life to an opal that has become dull or scratched, and we can also check your one-of-a-kind treasure while we are at it!

For more information on how to organise your Blue Salt Jewellery cleaning and assessment appointment, go to our 'Service & Repairs​' page and submit a request.  We will contact you within 2 working days to set up an appointment. 

​
 

CARING FOR YOUR SILVER
 

Taking good care of your silver jewellery is essential to keeping it looking its best and prevent it from tarnishing. Here are some valuable recommendations to ensure the longevity of your Blue Salt silver treasures.

​

One of the easiest (and most fun) ways to maintain your silver jewellery is to wear it. The natural oils in your skin can help prevent tarnish. However, be cautious about exposing your silver to harsh chemicals or chlorine, such as in swimming pools. Keep your silver away from household cleaning agents, perfumes, lotions, and hair products. Always remove your silver jewellery before engaging in activities that involve such substances.

​

When it comes to storage, choose a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Consider using airtight containers or anti-tarnish bags to minimize exposure to air, as prolonged contact can accelerate tarnishing. To prevent scratches, it's advisable to store your silver pieces separately or use soft jewellery pouches.

​

Regular cleaning is crucial. Dust, dirt, and oils can accumulate on the surface of your silver, leading to tarnish.

Oxidised and brushed silver should only ever be cleaned professionally.  Do not attempt to clean such silver pieces yourself.  A polishing cloth can alter the appearance of such jewellery items, giving them a shiny look.

​

Sterling silver pieces, however, can be polished using a soft, lint-free cloth or a designated silver polishing cloth. Be sure to avoid abrasive materials that might scratch the metal.

​

Tarnish on sterling silver can be removed by using a mild, phosphate-free silver cleaner, or you can create your own solution with mild dish soap and warm water. Soak the silver briefly, then gently scrub it with a soft toothbrush to remove tarnish. Rinse it thoroughly and pat it dry with a clean cloth.

If in doubt, give us a call! We want your silver to stand the test of time and are only too happy to advise you on how to achieve just that.

​

For best results, of course, do make the most of our complimentary cleaning service.  Book an appointment, and we will not only have your silver treasure looking like new, but we will also assess your jewellery’s health while we are at it.  

​

For more information on how to organise your Blue Salt Jewellery cleaning and assessment appointment, go to our 'Service & Repairs​' page and submit a request.  We will contact you within 2 working days to set up an appointment. 

​