Basic care of your jewellery

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Whether you have already purchased something from the Blue Fyre shop, or you are considering it, or even just browsing, there are some aspects of caring for items of jewellery that are important. This article focusses on caring for Ethiopian Opals, and Pearls specifically.

I’ve put together some tips and information to help you care for your jewellery items as well as you can, without specialised equipment or training.  Simple maintenance will keep them in good condition for much longer before they need any attention for repair or re-stringing.  

Firstly, and most importantly, if you wish to keep your gems intact for yourself and future generations, please be aware that Opals and Pearls should NOT be cleaned using alcohol, chemicals, steam or ultrasound: they can fracture, stain and disintegrate.

First on, last off

Always follow the maxim “last on, first off” with any items of jewellery.  That allows you to finish your dressing preparation before putting them on, and then they will be the first items that you take off and put away.  It sounds like stating the obvious - it is - and it may not be something that you’ve thought of until now.

Avoid wearing perfume or skin care products in areas where the jewellery will rest, especially anything that includes Pearls or Opals.

Wipe your jewellery carefully with a microfibre or metal polishing cloth each time you take it off and put it away.  It will keep the items in good condition for longer before they need any repair or detailed cleaning attention.

Store your jewellery in its original presentation box.  The acid free box and tissue paper will slow the tarnish process. If storage space is a consideration and you choose to keep your jewellery with other treasures, I invite you also to use the organza bag to prevent scratches caused by sharp metal or stones. This applies especially to Pearls.


OPALS

There are differing opinions about how to maintain Opals.  Where the sources do agree, they say that Opals should be kept away from exposure to strong heat sources or sunlight for long periods of time, as they can dry out and potentially crack or crumble.  Also, be careful not to drop them or crash them against any hard surface.  They are one of the softer stones on the Mohs scale. For more information about Opals go here

Please do not wear them in the shower, in bed, or doing strenuous exercise, gardening, etc.  All those activities can compromise the design and damage the Opals.

Some say it is not necessary to soak them in water, others say ‘yes’ to periodically re-hydrating them. The method that I use is listed below.

Why distilled water? Well, tap water contains so many additives these days that the tap water could contribute to the erosion or damage to your opals. Distilled water is pure.

Please note that Ethiopian Opals absorb water more than others do and will lose their ‘fire’ if soaked.  It will return as the beads dry and will take time …  If your Opals do get wet in the rain, it will not harm them: just make sure to wipe them down as soon as you can.  

Whether the Opals are strung on nylon thread or steel cord, we suggest the following:   

  • Use a microfibre cloth to wipe them down before putting them away - it is worth taking a few extra minutes to care for them.  

  • Keep them away from perfume, scented body products or products with high amounts of oils in them.  Skin oils can permeate the beads: if you notice them becoming more transparent, this is probably the case.  

  • If strung on stainless steel cord, a soft toothbrush, dipped in warm, soapy water, will remove skin cells from between the beads, then rinse them quickly and pat dry with an absorbent cloth.

  • If strung on nylon cord (combined with Pearls) do not submerge the string in water.  The nylon cord will absorb the water, and will not be able to dry out inside the pearls or opals, which can lead to degrading of the cord, and potentially encourage mould and bacteria to flourish.  To care for them, please use a microfibre cloth regularly on both Opals and Pearls and pay special attention to the edges of each of them near the cord to remove accumulated skin cells and oils.

  • If you are intending to re-hydrate them, place them in an airtight container for a few days.  Use a soft, absorbent cloth, such as microfibre and soak it in distilled water, then squeeze the water out so that it is damp but not sodden. Place the Opals on top of the cloth, or gently wrap them in the cloth, and add a small, open container of distilled water in the container. Seal the lid. Leave them for 2-3 days, checking on them regularly, and then take them out. It is a good idea to give them a clean as detailed above before you put them in for re-hydration. If they have a film of skin oils on them they will not be able to absorb the water.

PEARLS

PEARLS love to be worn: as the skin oils begin to coat the pearls, their lustre increases.  However, it is also important to wipe the pearls after wearing them so that the skin oils don't stain and damage the thread or wear away the nacre of the pearls.  A damp, microfibre cloth used to gently rub each pearl works well to preserve your investment, and legacy.  Do not soak the pearls: the water will be absorbed by the silk or nylon thread.  It will not be able to dry inside the pearls, which can lead to degradation of the thread and the pearls as well as encourage mould and bacteria to flourish.

If you store your Pearls with other jewellery items please put them in the organza bag to protect them from scratches, otherwise, keep them in their presentation box.

If your Blue Fyre creation includes Opals, please follow the instructions under "Opals" for maintaining them.

Please remember to apply any perfume or hair sprays before putting on your pearls and avoid placing perfume on your body where the pearls will rest.  Whilst Pearls can tolerate skin oils, other personal products that include chemicals can stain or erode the nacre.  Remember, ”last on, first off” …

 
 
 

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CARE

 
CAREJanine MarjorieOpals, Pearls, CareofJewellery