Care · Warranty · Repairs

The Art of Care: The Complete Guide to Preserving Your Jewelry

A luxury jewelry piece is more than an item of fashion; it is a story, a memory, and a work of art destined to be cherished for many years. Every piece that leaves my bench is crafted and set with meticulous care, using the finest materials.

To preserve its original sparkle, the vitality of the stones, and the metal's durability, I have gathered the professional guidelines for correctly caring for gold, platinum, silver, and precious stones. Proper care will ensure that your jewelry continues to shine, stone after stone, for generations to come.

The Golden Rules: What does your jewelry love (and what should it avoid)?

Before diving into the specific metals, here are a few absolute rules applicable to all luxury jewelry:

Recommendations

• Last on, first off: Put jewelry on only after applying makeup, perfume, and lotions. Remove them before your nightly care routine.
• Separate storage: Keep every piece in its original box or a soft fabric pouch. Contact between jewelry pieces causes scratches, especially hard stones against softer metals.
• Annual checkup: Once a year, I recommend bringing the jewelry to the studio for a stone-setting inspection to ensure all stones are secure.

Avoid

• Chemicals: Cleaning agents (especially bleach and chlorine), swimming pools, hot tubs, and even seawater can harm the metal's polish and dull the stones.
• Physical activity: Remove jewelry before working out, gardening, cooking, or heavy housework. Heavy impacts can bend gold or crack stones.

Care by Metal Type

Gold (14K / 18K)

Gold is noble and durable, but needs care to maintain its shine, especially white gold, which may need rhodium replating periodically.

• Home cleaning: Soak the jewelry for 10 minutes in a bowl of warm water and a small amount of mild dish soap (sulfate-free).
• Brushing: Use an extra-soft toothbrush and brush very gently, focusing on the areas beneath the stones.
• Drying: Rinse in lukewarm water and dry with a clean, soft microfiber cloth.

Platinum

Platinum is the strongest and most durable metal, and it does not change color. Over time, it develops a "patina" (a slight matte look) which some love, but it can be easily restored to its original shine.

• Cleaning: The cleaning method is very similar to that of gold (warm water, mild soap, soft brush).
• Refurbishment in studio: For a brilliant, polished look, contact me to arrange professional polishing in the studio.

Sterling Silver (925)

Silver tends to oxidize and blacken upon contact with air and moisture. This is a natural process, but it can be prevented and corrected.

• Prevention: The best way to keep silver is... to wear it! The skin's natural oils help prevent oxidation.
• Cleaning: Use a dedicated silver polishing cloth. Avoid "household tips" like toothpaste, which can scratch the silver.

Caring for Precious Stones

Precious stones require special attention, as each stone has a different hardness and sensitivity.

Diamonds

The diamond is the hardest natural material, but it is a "magnet" for grease (from lotions, fingerprints, and dust), which dulls its sparkle.

Cleaning: Diamonds can be safely cleaned in warm water and mild soap, emphasizing the cleaning of the bottom of the stone (the Pavilion), where most dirt accumulates.

Colored Gemstones (Sapphires, Rubies, Emeralds, and others)

Many colored stones are sensitive to extreme temperature changes, impacts, and chemicals. Emeralds, for example, are very delicate and tend to fracture easily.

Cleaning: Lukewarm water (not hot!) and a soft, damp cloth are the safest method.

Pearls and Organic Stones

Pearls are "living gemstones," very delicate, and porous. They are sensitive to acidity, perfume, and chlorine.

• Cleaning: Wipe them gently with a soft, damp cloth only after every wearing. Never soak pearls in water and do not use soap.
• Storage: Pearls need "moisture" from the air. Do not store them in airtight plastic bags.

Professional Service in the Studio

Even with the best home care, there is no substitute for professional treatment. I invite you to bring your jewelry to the studio once a year (or before a special event) for a rejuvenation service that includes:

• A thorough microscopic inspection of all stone settings.
• Professional cleaning using dedicated equipment tailored to the jewelry type.
• Polishing or rhodium replating for white gold.

Lifetime Warranty

Every jewelry piece is crafted with great care using high-quality materials, but by its nature, jewelry is an item subject to wear and tear and damage from daily use.

I offer a lifetime warranty on the manufacturing and setting work. Each case will be examined individually, and the warranty applies to defects or technical failures resulting from the manufacturing process itself.

The warranty does not cover damage caused by natural wear, impacts, drops, unreasonable use, accidents, modifications made by another party, or any damage caused during use of the jewelry.

In any case of a malfunction or concern about damage, please contact me for a professional inspection and assessment.