JEWELRY CARE
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These instructions will guide you to care for your Reba Engel jewelry. I’m sharing my tips with you to maintain the beauty of your pieces for a lifetime of enjoyment!
Cleaning:
Simple Green (SG) is my #1 recommendation for a jewelry cleaning solution. It’s an environmental household product available at your local grocery store, and it works wonders on metal and most gemstones. Avoid ammonia based and paste jewelry cleaning products, because they can dull or pit the surface of metal and some gemstones. SG is not for cleaning pearls! Please read “Pearls” below for care instructions.
For convenience, keep a plastic container of the SG concentrate or a spray bottle of the solution and a soft toothbrush in your vanity area. Here’s the process I use for cleaning all metals and most gemstones:
Dip or spray the entire piece with SG;
Brush lightly with a soft toothbrush;
Rinse well with water;
Unhook the clasp on the necklace or bracelet and lay it flat on a dry towel;
Pat it down with the towel;
Air dry the piece completely before storing;
Store in separate boxes or sealed baggies.
Sterling Silver:
Sterling silver tarnishes quickly from sweat, lotion, perfume, make-up, sunscreen, and chlorinated pools, just to name a few. These chemicals and products can build up on pieces you wear often, so regular cleaning is suggested. The matte finish on my pieces will tarnish faster than polished areas because the texture traps dirt. A polishing cloth works well for the polished areas but not for the matte finish. If tarnish advances to a dark gray, it may require refinishing. Silver is the softest of the precious metals and scratches easily. Store these pieces separately from other metal and gemstone jewelry. If your piece includes pearls, please read “Pearls” below for care instructions.
Gold & Stainless Steel:
Gold and stainless steel rarely tarnish, yet they will get dirty. The matte finish on my pieces will trap dirt and make the metal appear duller in color. Both metals are durable, yet they will scratch. Store these pieces separately from other metal and gemstone jewelry. If your piece includes pearls, please read “Pearls” below for care instructions.
Pearls:
Pearls are soft and can scratch easily. It’s best to put your pearls on after you’ve applied your lotion, make-up and perfume. The chemicals from your body and products on your skin will damage the surface of the pearl over time, so it’s best to wipe them down with a damp cloth after wear. Pieces that combine pearls and metal require a gentler cleaning product and process:
Dip piece in a mixture of warm water and a mild soap, like Ivory Liquid Soap;
Brush lightly with a soft toothbrush;
Rinse well with water;
Unhook the clasp on the necklace or bracelet and lay it flat on a dry towel;
Pat it down with the towel;
Air dry the piece completely before storing!
Pearls are porous at the drill holes, so it’s important that the inside of the pearls strung on silk thread dry fully to prevent mildew. Allow 24-48 hours drying time before storing your pearls! Store these pieces in cloth bags, separate from your other metal or gemstone jewelry.
Restringing:
My gemstone bead and freshwater pearl pieces are strung on a fine stainless steel cable that is very durable, yet it can break. To prevent breaks, I recommend restringing a piece about every year to two years, if you wear it often. Most breaks occur from stress on the cable, or the metal components and beads wearing against the cable over time. When traveling, it’s best to put each piece in a gift box or solid container, rather than a soft jewelry roll. South Sea and Tahitian pearls are strung and knotted with silk thread and restringing is suggested every two years.
Repairs:
My pieces are constructed with quality craftsmanship, yet unexpected breaks can occur. Repairs on defects are free and a minimal charge for other repairs. Please contact me right away, so you won’t miss a day without your jewels!
Security:
Store your treasures in a safe place away from the hands of thieves! Your vanity area is the first place they will pilfer, so as convenient as it is for you, be smarter than the crook. Hide them in an obscure place or in a safe bolted to the floor or wall.
Personal Care:
Please consider me your personal jewelry designer! I’m available to provide you customer service for cleaning, repairing and designing a piece to suit your individual style. Please contact me to make an appointment.
