Pearls are timeless, elegant gems that deserve special attention to maintain their beauty. Pearls are also the birthstone for the month of June, which is why we are featuring Pearls in our blog this month, and sharing our top care tips to ensure your pearl jewellery remains luxurious and radiant for years to come.
Read on as we explore all about pearls and the best practices for preserving the allure of these stunning treasures.
Before diving into the top care tips for your pearl jewellery, let’s first explore some fascinating facts about pearls to deepen our understanding of these exquisite gems.
Pearl jewellery holds a rich history and captivating allure. These gems are very unique as they are the only gems created by living organisms. Formed within the soft tissue of mollusks such as oysters and mussels, pearls are the result of a natural defense mechanism to protect against irritants. The size, shape, and color of pearls can vary greatly depending on the species of mollusk and the conditions in which they are formed.
Pearls have been treasured for centuries, symbolizing purity, elegance, and sophistication. Today, they continue to be a timeless and beautiful choice for jewellery, found in necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and more. Whether classic white or rare and exotic colors like black or golden, pearl jewellery remains a symbol of refined taste and timeless elegance.
Pearls are delicately threaded onto a silk thread to create stunning jewellery pieces such as necklaces. There are two ways to thread your pearl jewellery: knotted and unknotted.
Typically, pearl necklaces are meticulously knotted with a tiny knot between each pearl allowing you to see more of the surface area. This method minimizes wear on the pearls, ensuring their longevity and maintaining their elegant appearance.
Knots are not only for pearls. They can also apply to any precious bead that you want to stand out and protect from being lost. If your knotted pearl necklace breaks, you may lose one pearl or bead saving you from a potentially embarrassing situation crawling on the floor to find all the beads.
Pearls can also be strung together unknotted, which means they are threaded onto a strand without knots between each pearl. While this method is typically for imitation pearls or pearls with lesser value and offers a modern look, it comes with some risks. Without knots between the pearls, there is a higher chance of them rubbing against each other, which can lead to scratches and damage over time. Additionally, if the strand breaks, all the pearls may come loose and potentially scatter or become lost.
It’s essential to regularly inspect both knotted and unknotted pearl jewellery for signs of wear and tear and have them restrung by a professional jewellery service near you as needed to maintain their integrity and ensure they remain secure for years to come.
Caring for your pearl jewellery is essential to maintain its timeless beauty. Here are the top care tips to keep your pearls looking their best:
Handling your pearl jewellery with care is essential to preserve its delicate beauty. Always handle your pearl jewellery delicately, as they are vulnerable to scratching and damage. When putting on or taking off pearl jewellery, avoid pulling or tugging, as this can strain the silk thread or cause breakage.
Additionally, be mindful of lotions and perfume, as these can damage the top layer of your pearls. Refrain from exposing your pearl jewellery to harsh chemicals, perfumes or cosmetics to maintain their pristine appearance.
It’s also best to handle your pearl jewellery with clean, dry hands to prevent the transfer of oils or dirt that can dull their luster over time.
Dirt and grease will coat the pearls and silk thread during normal wear, which affects its appearance and can lead to breakage. Cleaning your pearl jewellery gently after each wear can help maintain its lustrous appearance.
After wearing, begin by wiping the pearls with a soft, damp cloth to remove any surface dirt or oils. Avoid using harsh chemicals, abrasive cleaners, or jewellery cleaning solutions, as these can damage the delicate surface of the pearls. Instead, use a mild soap solution or specialized pearl cleaner diluted in water. Use a soft-bristled brush or a clean cloth to gently scrub the pearls, focusing on any stubborn spots.
After cleaning, rinse the pearls thoroughly with lukewarm water to remove any soap residue, and then pat them dry with a soft towel. Allow the pearls to air dry completely before storing them in a soft pouch or lined jewellery box to prevent scratching.
Proper storage is crucial to preserving the beauty of your pearl jewellery. Store your pearls in a soft pouch or lined jewellery box, away from other pieces to prevent scratching. Avoid storing them in direct sunlight or near sources of heat, as excessive heat can cause the pearls to dry out and lose their luster.
To prevent the silk thread from stretching or weakening, store pearl necklaces flat rather than hanging them. Additionally, consider wrapping individual pieces of pearl jewellery in a soft cloth or tissue paper for added protection.
Restringing pearls is vital for maintaining the longevity and durability of your pearl jewellery. It’s a good idea to get your pearls restrung because over time the silk thread used to string pearls can weaken or stretch, posing a risk of breakage and loss. Additionally, pearls may need restringing if knots become dirty or frayed, if you desire a new clasp, or if the pearls cover the knots and hinder their visibility.
It’s advisable to restring pearl necklaces by a professional jeweller every 12-18 months, depending on wear frequency. A professional jeweler will handle the restringing process to ensure the pearls remain secure and prevent silk thread weakening or breakage.
Heavier pearl necklaces should be restrung regularly to prevent gaps and breakage caused by the weight of the beads pulling on the thread. It is advisable to restring as soon as the thread looks stretched or when gaps appear beside the knots.
Proper maintenance and cleaning are essential to ensure the longevity of your stunning pearl jewellery pieces.
By following our top care tips for your pearl jewellery and scheduling regular professional inspections, you can preserve the beauty and integrity of your pearl jewellery for years to come.
The time frame for service is estimated to be 7 to 10 business days. Please contact us for a quote. For any jewellery cleaning, please inquire at one of our Hudson’s Bay locations near you. Typically cleaning services involve submitting pieces to the Main Workshop for cleaning in an ultrasonic machine and for steaming.
With spring in full swing and summer approaching, we’re entering the season full of milestone events from graduations and weddings to anniversaries and birthdays. Every milestone event deserves to be accompanied by sparkling watches and radiant jewellery, but ensuring they shine their brightest requires more than just a quick polish.
In our latest blog, we delve into the art of caring for your cherished timepieces and accessories to ensure they dazzle alongside you and your loved ones during the most significant occasions. From cleaning tips to maintenance advice, we’ve got you covered on how to keep your watches and jewellery looking their absolute best.
Read on to learn how to care for your jewellery and watches for milestones events and ensure your treasures shine as brightly as your memories.
For your special milestone events, it’s essential to ensure that your watches and jewellery are in pristine condition. Before each occasion and after every wear, take a moment to delicately clean your watch with a soft, lint-free cloth.
For jewellery cleaning, try using the Diamond Dazzle Stik or soft polishing cloths. This simple yet crucial step effectively eliminates accumulated dirt, oils, and sweat that could diminish their brilliance over time.
Regular cleaning not only preserves their appearance, but also safeguards against potential damage caused by buildup. If cleaning isn’t viable in your schedule, consider entrusting your pieces to a professional watch and jewellery repair service for a thorough maintenance. Remember to submit your pieces in advance and allow plenty of time for the cleaning and repair before the event.
During the lead-up to your milestone events and throughout their duration, it’s crucial to exercise caution with your accessories. Avoid exposing them to harsh chemicals like perfume, hairspray, and cosmetics, as these substances can cause damage to both metals and gemstones.
Chemicals found in everyday products can tarnish metals, degrade finishes, and even cause discoloration or erosion of gemstones over time. Keep your accessories safely away from these chemicals and you’ll preserve their beauty and ensure they continue to sparkle for all your special occasions.
Proper storage of your watches and jewellery is key both before and after your milestone events to safeguard the integrity of your pieces. When your jewellery or watch is not on your fingers, wrist or neck, ensure they’re housed in a clean, dry environment.
Opt for separate compartments or pouches to prevent pieces from scratching against one another or becoming entangled. By taking this simple precaution, you can preserve the pristine condition of your cherished accessories, ensuring they’re ready to dazzle at each milestone moment and beyond.
As you prepare for your milestone event, it’s essential to be mindful of the activities planned and select your accessories accordingly. Take into account the nature of the event and the activities you’ll be participating in.
Avoid wearing delicate pieces for any strenuous activities or in environments such as near water where they may be susceptible to damage. Opt for sturdier, more durable pieces for outdoor gatherings or energetic active celebration activities.
Don’t overlook the importance of regularly inspecting your watch and jewellery. Before each milestone event, carefully examine your watch and jewellery for any signs of wear and tear, such as loose screws or scratched crystals.
When needed, entrust your watch to the expertise of a professional watchmaker for servicing. Additionally, have your jewellery periodically checked by a jeweller to ensure that settings are secure and stones remain intact.
Remember to plan ahead and submit your pieces for repair or maintenance in advance of any upcoming events to ensure they’re in optimal condition to shine alongside you during those important milestone moments.
As you prepare for your upcoming milestone events, ensuring your watch and jewellery are in pristine condition adds an extra layer of elegance and significance to these special moments.
By following these care tips above, from regular cleaning and proper storage to mindful selection and careful inspection, you can guarantee that your treasured accessories will shine bright during those special milestone moments.
1. Where can I have my watch or jewellery inspected, cleaned or repaired?
If you require a professional inspection of your watch and jewellery or for simple repairs and cleaning, visit our Hudson’s Bay locations, where our knowledgeable staff can assist you. For more intricate watch and jewellery repairs, please contact us directly.
2. How far in advance should I submit my pieces?
The time frame for service depends on the complexity of the task. The more parts the piece requires, the more time it’ll take. Generally, we quote a turnaround time of 2-4 weeks as a rule of thumb. More intricate services may require 4-6 weeks +.
At our Hudson’s Bay locations, services such watch battery replacements and link removals are typically completed while you wait. For jewellery cleaning, please inquire at the location, but typically cleaning services involve submitting pieces to the Main Workshop for cleaning in an ultrasonic machine and for steaming.
April’s birthstone is the diamond, and as such, this month’s blog will be dedicated to exploring the characteristics of diamonds and how to care for your diamond jewellery.
Diamonds are one of the most exquisite gems possessing a timeless allure that captivates hearts worldwide. Often known to be the epitome of luxury and elegance, diamonds symbolize endurance and purity, making them a cherished treasure for all generations. However, to ensure their radiance and sparkle for years to come, proper care is essential.
Read on to learn more about diamonds and discover simple care tips to maintain your diamond jewellery over time.
Before exploring care tips for your diamond jewellery, let’s learn more about diamonds themselves. Renowned for their exceptional characteristics, diamonds have maintained enduring popularity and allure over time.
One of the characteristics of diamonds is hardness. They are known to be the hardest known natural material, scoring a perfect 10 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness. This property makes them highly resistant to scratching and abrasion.
Diamonds also exhibit brilliance due to their ability to refract and reflect light. Their facets are cut precisely to maximize the dispersion of light, resulting in the sparkle that diamonds are famous for.
Another significant characteristic of diamonds is their color. They span a spectrum from colorless to faint yellow or brown, with some rare specimens exhibiting fancy colors like pink, blue, and green. Colorless diamonds, prized for their purity and transparency, hold the highest value.
Diamonds are measured by carat weight, with one carat equivalent to 0.2 grams. Generally, larger diamonds are rarer and more valuable. However, factors like color, cut, and clarity also significantly impact a diamond’s worth.
Another important characteristic is the cut. The cut of a diamond encompasses its proportions, symmetry, and polish, directly impacting its overall appearance. A well-cut diamond optimizes light performance, thereby enhancing its beauty and value.
For enduring brilliance, proper cleaning of your diamond jewellery is essential. Here are five simple and essential care tips for your diamond jewellery:
To keep your diamond jewellery sparkling, regular cleaning is essential. Try the Connoisseurs Jewellery Dazzle Stik cleaning gel, formulated with micro-fine cleansers and polishing agents that help bring the radiant shine to diamonds. You can find the Dazzle Stik at our locations across Canada
To prevent scratches and abrasions, store your diamond jewellery separate from other jewellery. Consider using soft pouches or individual compartments within a jewellery box for safe storage.
From time to time, it’s advisable to have your diamonds inspected by a jeweller near you. This helps detect any potential issues early on, such as loose settings or damage.
Try to avoid exposing diamonds to harsh chemicals such as household cleaners and bleach, as they can cause damage to both the stone and its setting.
To prevent accidental damage or loss, refrain from wearing diamonds during activities prone to impact or damage, such as sports or housework.
Diamonds boast numerous unique characteristics and are famously known as a girl’s best friend. However, to maintain their brilliance and enduring sparkle in your jewellery, proper care is essential. By adhering to the simple yet highly effective care tips outlined above, you can ensure the lasting splendor of your diamond jewellery for generations to enjoy.
1. Where can I have my diamond jewellery inspected or repaired?
If you require a professional inspection of your diamond jewellery or simple jewellery repairs, visit a Hudson’s Bay location, where our knowledgeable staff can assist you. For more intricate diamond jewellery repairs, please contact us directly.
2. Where can I purchase a Connoisseurs Diamond Dazzle Stik?
Easily restore the brilliance of your diamond jewellery with the user-friendly Connoisseurs Diamond Dazzle Stik. Find this product at any of our Hudson’s Bay locations throughout Canada.
Some people wear their jewelry chains continuously, while some people decide to wear them only for special occasions. Regardless of the frequency of use, each time you wear your chains they are susceptible to wear, tear and being caught on things, and when your chain breaks or becomes damaged, it can be quite upsetting. Luckily, chains can be quite easy to repair and often only require a quick trip to your local jeweler. A good jeweler should be able to replace broken clasps, close open chain links, and provide chain solders repair services as well.
The first step in dealing with a broken chain is to determine where the damage lies. Two main areas that are prone to damage include the clasps and the links.
Some clasps can be quite delicate and can come off or become damaged. The clasps can be quite easy to replace; however, you may need to first find a clasp that closely matches the currently broken clasp or at least the style of the chain. Your jeweler should be able to help with this process.
The links are the main portion of the chain. Some types of links are much easier to repair than others. It is important to first find a link that matches the old chain or to determine if the link is fine to just solder close or simply close with pliers.
If links have been stretched or opened up, some simple plier work can be done to reclose or reshape the link to its original glory.
If chain solders repair services are required, it is important to find an experienced jeweler. One of the most important aspects of performing chain soldering repair services is to ensure that the joint being soldered are smooth and that no damage to the existing metal is incurred. This takes a steady hand, especially when working with small, delicate, or intricate chains.
If you find that your chain has been damaged and requires a bit of tender loving care, stop in to see an experienced jeweler. Some damage will require very precise and steady hands, and you don’t want to leave that job to just anyone. Ask the jeweler questions and ensure that they have the right experience to get the job done right.
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.
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.