We consider every piece of jewelry that we own very special. Perhaps a loved one gave it to us; or someone special; or we got it on a special occasion. Maybe it was meaningful when we bought it, maybe we love the material because it matches a certain outfit. The reasons are endless…
For all those reasons above, we have made this section about the best way to care for your jewelry. Let’s start!
Unique by Jackie uses various materials and each piece must be cared for accordingly. Don’t forget that all pieces get worn out with time and use. At one
moment, they will need to be repaired, changed, redesigned or replaced because nothing is forever.
The same goes for gold and silver pieces; they get worn out too. They lose their shine, get scratched, snapped and deteriorated.
Caring of your Bracelets
These are manufactured with many different materials such as elastics, silk thread, macramé thread or any other special threads. Some have a clasp, others a brooch and some are simply tied with a pretty knot. Each material has its own durability and will most likely changed based on how much and how often you wear the jewelry. There is no way of knowing how long a piece of jewelry will last, but there is a way to know the best way to maintain it and make it last longer; that is by examining it.,
Now, try to examine one of your elastic bracelets as it follows: Take your bracelet with both hands, and start stretching it very slowly. If you feel it growing in size, stop right there; when stopping the stretching you will notice bigger spaces between the beads and they will be loose now; so, it is time to change the elastic. If you feel it very hard and consistent, and after you stop the stretching you do not see bigger space between the beads, you can keep using it without any worries.
If your bracelet is made of semi-precious stones that are heavy and threaded with elastic, don’t hang it so that gravity doesn’t pull it and stretch it even more. Such heavy pieces are best stored flat, you can introduce the bracelet inside the protective organza bag that came with it and store inside a jewelry box. This will also prevent the piece from being scratched with the other jewelry pieces inside.
Be careful not to hit or smack your semi-precious stone pieces since this can cause them to chip and break depending on how hard they got hit.
If the bracelet is made with other type of threads and has a clasp, it is different.
Once you have it on, reach for any broken threads near the clasp; or feel it in your wrist. If it feels loose, it moves more that when you initially bought it or comes further near you fingers when you put your hand down, all those signs, tell us the bracelet needs maintenance.
There is one stone that Jackie loves to work with, it is called Cracked Quartz. It is a stone that passes thru a special process which is heated and the heat cracks the inside of it. This stone requires a lot more care than the others, but it is really beautiful. Please take note, is stone No. 14, Crackled Quartz. Get to know it, by clicking on the link.
Caring of Stone Necklaces made with wire (silver or gold)
As you already know, Jackie works with semi-precious stones which individually are considered as a jewel, not to mention, a necklace made with several of them. To take care of this type of necklace we will recommend the following instructions:
- When wearing it, be careful not to hit it, because the different hardnesses of stone cannot withstand a hard blow.
- Do not leave it on any surface where it can slip and fall.
- Do not immerse in water.
- Have or create medium size jewelry box (it can be done with a shoe box), where all your necklaces can fit, saving them individually in a Ziplock bag (snack or sandwich size). This will prevent moisture and dust from damaging the wire when they are not in use.
- When you finish using your piece, clean it with a slightly damp cloth, to take of any grease and dust. Let it dry and save as told you in numeral d. Please do not use any commercial abrasive jewelry cleaners because it will ruin your piece.
- Keep your piece out of salty water and weather.
Caring of Jewelry with silver parts
Silver is one of the most durable materials and can be easily cleaned. It can be done with toothpaste, but there is also a good product called Wright’s Silver Cream or any other product on the counter that is specifically for cleaning silver. Use a fine brush and a cotton cloth to dry it completely and it will be ready. It is important for you to know that anything that is silver will be marked with 0.925 numbers. Look for it before cleaning, because if it is not, you can damage the piece.
Caring of Gold Plated and Gold Bathed Jewelry
The term “Gold Plated” (GP), is used to describe parts made of a base metal such as brass, copper and even plastic to which mechanically coated with several layers of different carat gold (this may vary depending on the manufacturer 12k, 14k, 18k, 22k, and 24k.) The number of layers can also vary from 3 to 6 layers to the manufacturer.
These pieces are much more expensive and durable than the gold bathed, but they always require great care.
On the other hand, we all know the gold bathed term, which is basically a piece of metal covered with a single layer or gold plating that is usually 14k. Gold bathing techniques are different methods used to deposit a thin layer of gold on the surface of another metal, almost always copper, silver, nickel or brass; by chemical or electrochemical processes.
All the components explained above can be cleaned only with a dry cloth or a damp cloth with a little neutral soap (baby shampoo), if it is very dirty.
Do not clean them with abrasive substances because if you do, you will immediately remove the cover the piece has. Wear them for at least 10 minutes after you have put on perfume, cream or spray; do not play sports or go to the pool or sea with them.
Caring of your pearls.
There are a wide variety of pearls and its pearly luster is the greatest beauty. Once the pearl becomes matte, it is said to die, because the shine can never be restored and it will begin to break and defoliate.
To take care of them follow the instructions below:
- Do not bathe with them on. Not even in the shower, since the chlorine can ruin them.
- Avoid sweat and salt.
- Store them separately from your metal jewelry as pearls are soft and can be heavily scratched if you store them with metals or harder things. Protect them putting the piece inside an organza/jewelry bag.
- Avoid direct contact with makeup, lacquers, perfumes, alcohol, cosmetics, etc.
- Wear them for at least 10 minutes after you’ve put on perfume, lotion or spray; do not play sports or go inside the pool or ocean wearing them.
- Clean after you use them, the natural residues of our body adhere to them with use. You can do it with a dry cloth and if it is very dirty with a damp cloth. You can also wash them with water, a soft brush and soap with a PH 7 or baby shampoo. Let them dry well before storing again.
- If they remain stored for long periods of time, you will need to remove them and give them a water bath or rub them with a damp cloth, at least once a year.
- Keep them in cool places, away from heat because this is one of their greatest enemies and also inside a silk or suede bag, because they need to breathe, do not keep them in plastic.
- It is also necessary that you observe the silk thread of your piece, if you see it dirty do not try to clean it, if you observe much more space than necessary between each of the pearls it is better that you contact Unique by Jackie or your nearest jewelry, so that you repair it before it breaks and lose one of the pearls.
We hope these instructions have been useful for caring your jewelry. If you liked this section, do not forget to leave us a comment.