Gold Gem Jewelery Design

Costume jewelry is often produced with non-precious metals, usually gold or silver plated, and with or without synthetic or glass stones. Costume jewelry could be antique, period, or contemporary. Today, there are many collectors of every style of costume jewelry.

normal care:

To make your jewelry last a lifetime and beyond, certain care should be taken in the wearing, cleaning and storing of each piece.

Remove your jewelry when:
 • cleaning the house or using harsh chemicals.
 • putting on lotion, perfume, hairspray, shaving cream and other beauty products.
 • doing laundry.
 • swimming in the pool.
 • bathing.
 • experiencing extreme cold or heat - especially one right after the other.

To clean your fine jewelry:
 • use warm water and mild soap.
 • rinse.
 • polish with a soft cloth.
 • dry your jewelry before storage. Both gold and silver can tarnish from it and water can leave residual water stains on your precious metals.

Store jewelry carefully, following instructions when provided. Try not to let the pieces touch to avoid scratching. If your jewelry comes with its own pouch or box, use it. Some jewelry and gemstones come with special care instructions. Follow them to the letter.

special care for special stones

Emerald:
Emeralds are durable, but their internal characteristics require some special care. They can be soaked and brushed briefly with cool water. We don't recommend extreme heat, hot water, steamers or ultrasonic cleaners. Don't expose to harsh cleaning solutions.

Jade:
Wipe gently with a damp cloth. Dry thoroughly with a soft cloth. Avoid hot water, chemicals, steamers and ultrasonic cleaners. Don't soak.

Lapis lazuli:
Avoid hot water, but mix mild soap and cool water. Wash only as needed and rinse quickly with cool water. Dry thoroughly. Avoid steamers, ultrasonic cleaners and soaking.

Marcasite:
Jeweler cement is occasionally used in setting marcasite. For cleaning cemented stones, wipe gently with a damp cloth. Dry thoroughly with a soft cloth. Avoid hot water, soaking, chemicals, steamers and ultrasonic cleaners.

Opals:
Soak briefly in cool water. Dry thoroughly with a soft cloth. Avoid extreme heat, hot water, steamers or ultrasonic cleaners.

The pearl world:
Wipe your pearls with a damp cloth to remove perspiration, oil or any other residue. For regular cleaning, wipe with a damp cloth. Dry completely with a soft cloth. Avoid heat, hot water, steamers or ultrasonic cleaners along with cosmetics and hairsprays. Don't soak in water.

Turquoise:
Wipe gently with a damp cloth. Dry thoroughly with a soft cloth. Avoid hot water, soaking, chemicals, steamers or ultrasonic cleansers.