Pearls

Natural cultured pearls are one of nature's most delicate and precious treasures. Pearls can retain their beauty for centuries if their owner remembers that these gems require different care. A pearl is not a stone Its care is simple:

• Store pearls separately, in their own case or in a cloth bag. If they are kept in a dry environment - for example, during periods of use of heating systems -, preserving them in a damp cloth helps prevent dehydration,
• Apply cosmetics, perfume, or spray products before wearing jewelry.
• Do not use pearls with sunscreen or insect repellants.
• If the pearls have been in contact with acidic foods, remove the splashes as soon as possible. Use a soft, damp cloth to clean them and another to dry them.
• Clean the pearls after use using a soft cloth.
• Periodically change the sharpening of the pearls to prevent breakage. The makeup, dust and dirt end up forming a paste on the thread that attacks the silk and the pearls themselves.

In a necklace, replace damaged pearls when a jeweler you trust recommends it. The pearls around the neck absorb acid and, exceptionally, some may lose their orientation and even their spherical shape.

What to avoid:

• Excess sweat and acids.
• Permanent contact with makeup, body cream, hairspray, perfume or talc.
• The powder, soap and detergent.
• The scratches.
• The shower and the pool - chlorinated water.
• Your deposit in safes for extended periods.
• Your dehydration. Do not wrap them in cotton wool or expose them to light or heat.
• Do not use them while cooking.
• In any case, they are all precautionary measures dictated by common sense.

With these minimal care, the pearls will maintain the appearance of the first day.

Precious stones

Along with diamonds, gemstones have been one of the most popular forms of expression in jewelry.

Formerly it was believed that they possessed special powers, or even that they cured certain diseases.

What to do:
It is recommended to avoid the contact of any stone with chemical substances The stones of the beryl family (beryl, aquamarines, emeralds) do not tolerate extreme changes in temperature well, so it is possible, try to avoid them. Take special care to avoid blows, as they can be flaked easily.

After use, it is advisable to store the piece in a protected place, to prevent it from rubbing, or from rubbing other pieces of jewelry.
To clean it, use a soft cloth slightly moistened with water.

Diamonds

Diamonds have been the most valued gemstones since ancient times, for their
hardness and shine.
They are also the hardest material that exists, and the most resistant to being scratched, but this does not mean that we should neglect the care and maintenance of the piece, so that it continues to look like the first day.
Daily wear of the piece can make it dirty, as diamonds are lipophilic, meaning they attract fat. To clean them, you must use dishwasher soap (type Fairy), hot water and a toothbrush.

Gold

For both yellow and white gold, a number of factors must be taken into account that could damage or spoil the piece, so their attention should not be neglected.

What to do:
It is recommended not to wear the piece if you are going to carry out work in which it can be scratched, or can get caught, as well as avoid contact with chemical substances, such as mercury in the case of yellow gold.
After use, it is advisable to store the piece in a protected place, to prevent it from rubbing against other metals, and thus avoid deterioration.
To clean it, use a soft cloth slightly moistened with water.

White gold

White gold requires special attention, as it is more easily damaged than yellow gold, especially in the case of rings,

What to do:
It is not recommended to wear them for activities that may
deteriorate them, such as playing sports, domestic activities or manual work

On the other hand, white gold pieces are coated with rhodium, a metal that, in addition to highlighting its whiteness, helps protect the surface of the piece. However, this layer of rhodium can be damaged by contact with certain substances (such as sodium hypochlorite) contained in some cleaning products such as bleach, active chlorine or bleach water. It can also be affected by iodized, chlorinated solutions and even silver cleaners.
With the passage of time and use, this layer of rhodium will disappear; It is something completely normal, being necessary to polish the piece again and apply a new layer of rhodium so that the piece looks like the first day again.

Silver

Although silver is a fairly resistant material, we must not neglect its attention, and being a little careful, we will avoid deterioration of the piece.

What to do:
It is advisable to store the piece in a protected place, to avoid that it could rub against other metals and deteriorate.
We must also avoid contact between silver and any chemical substance in common use.
In addition to these cares, the natural darkening process of silver must be taken into account, due to its contact with hydrogen sulfide present in the environment (mainly due to contamination). To alleviate this effect there are numerous products on the market to clean silver, which can be found in drugstores. If the part is stored in a plastic bag, this process can also be largely avoided.
Silver can have different finishes:
- vermeil silver: 24k gold plated silver
- oxidized silver: aged silver using silver oxide
- polished silver: silver with a shiny finish when polished
- sandblasted silver: silver with a matte finish

It should also be taken into account that pieces made in silver and bathed in gold (vermeil silver) tend to lose their bath, especially when they have continuous contact with the skin (for example, rings) and it has a more acidic pH of the normal,
The piece then acquires a whitish hue. In that situation, it will be necessary
re-bathe the piece to restore its original state.