Occasionally forgetting to take rings off while doing the dishes or showering with a necklace on; we are all guilty of doing things with our jewelry that we know we probably shouldn’t. However, if you want to avoid unnecessary jewelry repair in Edmonton, you should make a habit of not doing these 5 things with your jewelry:
One of the most common jewelry faux pas, after making a habit out of swimming or showering with your jewellery on, is improper care of your jewelry. Abrasive cleaners can damage precious metals and some stones, but leaving dirt and body oils to collect can also cause damage to the settings. Professionals recommend not using cleaners that contain harsh chemicals anywhere near your jewelry, even costume jewelry; instead, simply clean with a mild dish soap, warm water and a soft cloth. Failing to correctly clean, or have your jewelry professionally cleaned, can lead to needing avoidable jewelry repair in Edmonton.
Even though a marriage is forever, it doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t ever take off your wedding ring. Same goes for necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. Soaps, shampoos, conditioners, and lotions all leave residue on your jewelry that can tarnish the metal and damage settings. While forgetting to take your jewelry off for the occasional shower or dip in the pool isn’t the end of the world, making a habit out of wearing jewelry where it is likely to come into contact with chlorinated water, chemicals, and soaps is not recommended.
If you have noticed that a setting is loose, a prong is bent, or you have attempted some DIY jewellery repair hack, you really should bring your item in for professional repairs. Basic jewelry repair for some of the most common types of damage, including bent prongs, broken clasps, tarnished metal, and misshapen bands, is surprisingly inexpensive. Rather than spending time trying to find ways to remedy the problem yourself, you would be much better served taking your expensive items in for very inexpensive jewelry repair in Edmonton.
No one really likes to discuss insurance, however it does serve the important purpose of protecting your investments. If you have purchased or been given an expensive piece of jewelry, adding these items to your home or renters insurance policy is a smart way to ensure the safety of your item. For a relatively small cost, you can be covered against theft, loss, and damage, which you would otherwise be responsible for covering yourself.
Do you have a favourite pair of earrings, watch, bracelet, or ring, that have severely lost their luster and you just aren’t sure what to do with them? If you have a damaged piece of precious-to-you jewelry that needs more than just a polish, it may be time for jewelry restoration services. Yes, that’s right, jewelry restoration services are not only for vintage or antique jewelry pieces, restoration services are for any piece of jewelry that could use a little, or a lot of TLC to restore them to their original state of glory.
These may sound like two different ways to say the same thing, however there is a big difference between a jewelry repair and jewelry restoration services. Jewelry repair involves addressing some fairly obvious defects – a broken clasp, bent prong, or missing link, however jewelry restoration services, which often include repairs, take it one step further to restore your jewelry piece to (or very close to) its original state. This process requires a skilled hand equipped with the right tools and knowledge to restore your piece without leaving any trace of the restoration.
Some jewelry simply needs a deft hand and the right equipment to bring it back to its original state. These jewelry restoration services may include a deep clean, polishing, migraine detailing, and enhancing worn filigree. Even jewelry pieces that have been damaged beyond recognition are salvageable. This may include completely worn detailing, illegible engravings, or severely tarnished metal.
Other jewelry pieces may require more in-depth jewelry restoration services that include a repair component. If the damage to your piece is more than just cosmetic, skilled repairs may also be required. A skilled jeweler can overseer-cutting of precious stones, tightening a setting, and building up worn prongs and shanks.What separates a jeweller who can simply repair a piece from one who can restore a piece are the materials and techniques used. A quality restoration will be indistinguishable from the original piece of jewellery.
In cases of more severe damage, jewelry restoration services may be required to replace rather than repair some of the damaged components. These services may include replacement missing prongs, replicating a clasp, or selecting and cutting a perfectly matched precious stone to replace one that is missing. Where a less skilled jeweler may attempt a restoration repair with lesser quality materials and without the skills and knowledge required to incorporate seamless transitions, an expert jeweler with experience in restorations will have the required tools and knowledge to make the repairs indistinguishable from the original.
Your jewelry is often more than just a fashion statement. It can complete an outfit, but it can also represent a promise to someone, a memory passed down through generations, or a celebration of an accomplishment. Whether your jewelry is new or antique, it should be cared for properly so that it will mostly only require minor maintenance instead of major jewelry repair. Here are some ways to properly care for your beautiful pieces.
Keep your gemstones out of the sun!
Just as with many other colourful things, the sun’s harmful rays can alter the colour of gemstones if left in it directly for a long period of time. When you are storing your gemstone jewelry, be sure to store it away from direct sunlight to keep the natural vibrant colours over time.
Keep cleaning simple
In many cases, you can buy expensive cleaning solutions to clean your jewelry, however the best at home method to use is still a simple mix of soap and water with a soft bristled brush (a soft bristled toothbrush can work wonders). Especially on gemstones, it is important keep it simple. Harsh chemicals or strong vibrations can damage the stones. Get back to the basics for the best results at home!
Put it on last
If you are getting ready for a night out on the town, be sure that your jewelry is the last part of your outfit you put on and the first part to be taken off at the end of the night. Many chains are quite delicate and can easily get caught on clothing and break. Also, lotions, perfumes, sprays, etc., can cause damage to delicate jewelry pieces and make them dirty as well. Protect your jewelry now, so you won’t need jewelry repair later.
Take your jewelry in for maintenance at the first sign of a problem
Just like anything else in your life that gets used regularly, if you want it to last, you have to give it some tender loving care. Watches should be taken to a jeweler to be cleaned and fixed once every 3-5 years; rings can be cleaned, resized, or have the prongs re tightened or re-tipped when needed; and chains should be cleaned and checked for clasp issues and wear. Some regular maintenance is the best method to ensure your jewelry lasts for years to come.
If properly cared for, jewelry can stand the test of time but be sure to maintain it and get jewelry repair completed when you do notice any issues.
Jewelry is often more than just a pretty accessory that glistens in the sunlight. Jewelry is sometimes passed down through generations and holds a special place in its owners’ hearts. Sometimes we give jewels to say, “I love you”, “congratulations”, or even “be mine for the rest of our lives.” Jewelry is given to send a message.
You have probably heard the phrase “diamonds are forever”, however the jewelry that they are placed in doesn’t always last forever. As time goes on, the prongs that hold your precious stones in place may become bent or worn, the metal may get tarnished, or worse, you may lose stones or have breaks in the chain. All of these things can leave you nervous about wearing your jewelry, or even unable to do so.
These issues and more can be fixed and prevented by taking your treasured pieces in for jewelry restoration services. With the proper tools and a skilled jeweler, nearly any piece of jewelry can be restored to brand new condition.
Over time, jewelry will get dirty and lose its beautiful shine. It is important to clean your jewelry regularly on your own; however, for a nice touch up, it is also a good idea to take your jewelry in for a thorough cleaning and polishing to keep it sparkling like new.
Chains may end up broken due to regular wear, especially with delicate chains. Repairing broken links and clasps on bracelets, necklaces, and anklets is quite common and can save an otherwise unusable accessory.
Over the span of years, finger size can change, or older rings may be passed down to a new person. In either case, a resizing would be required to make the ring larger or smaller.
Over time, the prongs that keep the stones in place may become bent or worn away. This leaves your stones vulnerable to becoming loose or falling out. The claws can be replaced or re-tipped in order to ensure that your stones stay tightly in place.
Especially in antique jewelry, stones will often be lost or fall out. Jewelry restoration services are able to replace stones that may have fallen out or even swap out a stone for a new stone if you desire a change.
In some circumstances, sometimes a stone will become chipped or cracked. A jewelry restoration expert should be able to recut your stones to ensure that they do not become further damaged and if desired, the re-cut stone could be transferred to a different piece of jewelry.