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Every piece crafted at by Valerie Madison Fine Jewelry is crafted with quality and endurance in mind. Taking care of jewelry is simple and there are a few steps you can take to ensure your jewels last you a lifetime. If you ever have any concerns regarding the maintenance of your jewelry, please feel free to contact us.
It is a good habit to remove all jewelry before exercising, showering, gardening, heavy lifting, swimming, etc. Remove jewelry before sleeping and put your jewelry on after bathing, spraying perfumes, hairsprays, or lotions and cosmetics. Avoid chemical cleaners, abrasive polishing agents, and chlorine.
A few things to consider first about your piece....
Gold is a beautiful precious metal that is one of the least reactive of all metals. However, we do recommend removing any gold jewelry before swimming in chlorine water or handling chemicals as there is potential for spotting. Prongs may weaken over time as they get caught on clothes, are dropped, and general every day wear can take its toll. Take care not to sleep in your jewelry (prongs can catch on blankets and bend or chains can stretch) and do not clean jewelry with toothpaste as it can scratch metal and harden under stones. Metal finishes change over time unique to the wearer, however, in most cases matte and polished finishes can easily be restored at our studio.
Refrain from using chemical cleaning agents on gemstones. A gentle detergent like dawn dish soap mixed with warm water can be used with a soft toothbrush to scrub around and beneath the stone to clean and restore sparkle. Avoid wearing your gemstone jewelry in hot tubs or natural hot springs which may cause irreparable damage to certain sensitive gemstones like opals or turquoise. Have your gemstone settings checked at least every six months.
A gentle detergent like dawn dish soap mixed with warm water can be used with a soft toothbrush to scrub around and beneath the stone to clean and restore sparkle.
General Ring Cleaning Instructions
Not all jewelry can be cleaned universally, so make sure to read above depending on your metal and stone. Refrain from using chemical jewelry cleaners outside of the products we've personally tested and recommend.
Dish Soap and Water
Classics are classic for a reason, and this method is safe for all stones and metal types. When in doubt, go with dish soap and water!
Here are some quick steps for using this method:
Do not add in any additional cleaners (such as bleach, chlorine, and acetone). The harsh chemicals present in these products can damage your ring. Trust us—soap and water alone are often enough to get the job done!
Jewelry Cleaner
There are many types of specialty jewelry cleaners out there, and they can vary in chemical composition. If you prefer to buy one of these premade solutions, be sure to read the product’s description and any usage instructions.
For example, some jewelry cleaners are specially made for silver only. Other cleaners are more all-purpose yet aren’t safe around certain gemstones. When in doubt, rely on soap and water because there is no going back after a gemstone has been damaged by using the wrong type of chemical cleaner
As always, you may visit us anytime during store hours for a complimentary ring cleaning for your VM pieces. Looking for more assistance? Send an email to hello@valeriemadison.com, and we’ll get in touch shortly.
