Care and Cleaning
For centuries, pearls have been considered ideal wedding gifts because they symbolize purity and innocence. These opulent gems can keep their rainbow lustre for centuries, when the generations of owners remember how these jewels of the sea differ from other precious gem material, and the proper way to care for them.
Proper care of pearls is not difficult, and it is merely a matter of remembering that these gems are organic by nature, grown in water from living cells of a mollusk. Like the oysters or mussels that formed them, they require moisture. Because they usually are worn on a silk string which will deteriorate when wet, the pearls will need to be re-strung more frequently if they are taken for a swim in salt or fresh water. Never expose to chlorinated water. Like their "organic" owners, pearls are prone to damage from pollution and injury. They can't stand the heat, and they should definitely stay out of the kitchen. After all, historically they were a gem for the wealthy and not the maid.
Here are some other tips to remember to keep your wedding jewelry elegant for years to come:
• Apply cosmetics, perfume and spray products first before putting pearl jewelry on.
• Wipe off your pearls after wearing by using a soft cloth. Avoid commercial jewelry cleaners unless specified on the label.
• Re-string pearls regularly for the sake of the pearls as well as to avoid a broken string. Makeup, powder and grime will form a soft, gluey paste on the string, attacking both the silk and the pearls.
• Store pearls separately from other jewelry, in a cloth bag or jewelry pouch.
• Avoid-
o Perspiration.
o Acids in the skin and elsewhere.
o Makeup and skin creams.
o Perfume.
o Hairspray and insect repellent.
o Talcum powder.
o Dust and grit.
o Ultrasonic cleaners.
o Steam cleaning.
o Soap and detergent
o Chlorinated water in shower or pool.
o Scratches from crystalline gemstones and metallic jewelry.
o Dehydration
o Heat
Monday, June 28, 2010
How to Care for Your Ring
White or Yellow Gold
Gold rings should be inspected by a trusted jeweler every six months. This includes checking for loose stones, and prongs that may be wearing down. To keep your prongs from wearing fast, take your ring off at night as the sheet fibers will pull on the prongs and rub on them, loosening up your center diamond. Gold is a precious metal and with normal wear will begin to shift and file down. With white gold, it is a naturally off-white color and will need to be Rhodium Plated every six months to a year to keep it looking as new as the day you said “Yes.” If you work with chemicals on a consistent basis, the frequency of rhodium plating will increase, so it’s recommended that you remove the ring while working with even simple cleaning chemicals. This is actually highly recommended for any metal. If chemicals get trapped between the ring and your finger, it can cause an allergic reaction.
Platinum
Platinum is softer than gold, and will scratch much easier. You will need to have it polished about every four months as it becomes dull and gray. Although platinum is a very strong metal, it’s recommended that you have stones checked as well. Do not wear your platinum or other fine jewelry when doing home cleaning, gardening, or other types of heavy work or manual labor.
Tungsten/Tungsten Ceramic
Tungsten ceramic is a little more vulnerable than and not as strong as other tungsten styles. We would advise that customers wearing a tungsten or tungsten ceramic ring take the ring off during physical activities where the ring may get damaged. Be aware that the ring should not be soaked in harsh chemicals for they will weaken the tungsten and especially the ceramic. Tungsten is a brittle metal and care is needed. To clean, simply wash with warm water and soap. If the band happens to break or if it simply needs to be exchanged for a new size, bring it back to Belliston Jewelry and the wholesale company will replace the band for free. A $20 fee is charged for shipping.
Titanium
Titanium is slightly harder than gold and therefore will scratch. It will need to be polished and refinished about every six months to a year. Titanium is also a very strong metal and so if it gets hit it will not break, but is also not very pliable. As with tungsten, bring the band into Belliston Jewelry and the wholesale company will replace the band if bent or if a simple size exchange is necessary. A $20 fee is charged for shipping.
Gold rings should be inspected by a trusted jeweler every six months. This includes checking for loose stones, and prongs that may be wearing down. To keep your prongs from wearing fast, take your ring off at night as the sheet fibers will pull on the prongs and rub on them, loosening up your center diamond. Gold is a precious metal and with normal wear will begin to shift and file down. With white gold, it is a naturally off-white color and will need to be Rhodium Plated every six months to a year to keep it looking as new as the day you said “Yes.” If you work with chemicals on a consistent basis, the frequency of rhodium plating will increase, so it’s recommended that you remove the ring while working with even simple cleaning chemicals. This is actually highly recommended for any metal. If chemicals get trapped between the ring and your finger, it can cause an allergic reaction.
Platinum
Platinum is softer than gold, and will scratch much easier. You will need to have it polished about every four months as it becomes dull and gray. Although platinum is a very strong metal, it’s recommended that you have stones checked as well. Do not wear your platinum or other fine jewelry when doing home cleaning, gardening, or other types of heavy work or manual labor.
Tungsten/Tungsten Ceramic
Tungsten ceramic is a little more vulnerable than and not as strong as other tungsten styles. We would advise that customers wearing a tungsten or tungsten ceramic ring take the ring off during physical activities where the ring may get damaged. Be aware that the ring should not be soaked in harsh chemicals for they will weaken the tungsten and especially the ceramic. Tungsten is a brittle metal and care is needed. To clean, simply wash with warm water and soap. If the band happens to break or if it simply needs to be exchanged for a new size, bring it back to Belliston Jewelry and the wholesale company will replace the band for free. A $20 fee is charged for shipping.
Titanium
Titanium is slightly harder than gold and therefore will scratch. It will need to be polished and refinished about every six months to a year. Titanium is also a very strong metal and so if it gets hit it will not break, but is also not very pliable. As with tungsten, bring the band into Belliston Jewelry and the wholesale company will replace the band if bent or if a simple size exchange is necessary. A $20 fee is charged for shipping.
Monday, June 21, 2010
HURRY FAST!
The first person to come into the store tomorrow morning with 5 referrals (Name, address, and phone #'s of those you know who are looking for a ring) will get a free set of pearls! Doors open at 10am!!!!!
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
How to find your Perfect Ring
How to find the ring you’ll fall in love with over and over…
Ring shopping can be just as selective as the process that you went through to find your significant love.
When I ask a couple what they are looking for, the majority of the time they say, “I’m not sure.”
Many times when couples are dating, they aren’t sure what they want until they find the right person. The same is true for your engagement ring.
Only, how are you supposed to find that one perfect ring in a sea of stores?
The majority of jewelry stores have no specific focus on what they sell. You walk in and see colored stone pendants, diamond ear rings, pearl necklaces, and then tucked into one or two cases are those special rings that you’re looking for.
I’ve had the chance to experience the selection and atmosphere of other jewelry stores and I’ve found that there are about 100 styles of rings in each store.
However, you find that your cousin Jen has that same three stone ring. And your ex-roommate, Carrie, has that other ring. There are 100 styles that continue to repeat themselves in every store.
Here at Belliston Jewelry we have over 1,000 styles of engagement rings in the store alone.
Each associate in our store are experienced in helping you navigate. We know the store, and we want to help you find the right one. We’re like your matchmaker, so to speak. And since our focus is on you as a customer, we don’t just try to sell you a ring, we keep it within your budget.
If you desire to have something unique and separate from Jen’s or Carrie’s remember that Belliston Jewelry has over 1,000 unique styles to choose from.
Congratulations to you in this great time of your life!
Ring shopping can be just as selective as the process that you went through to find your significant love.
When I ask a couple what they are looking for, the majority of the time they say, “I’m not sure.”
Many times when couples are dating, they aren’t sure what they want until they find the right person. The same is true for your engagement ring.
Only, how are you supposed to find that one perfect ring in a sea of stores?
The majority of jewelry stores have no specific focus on what they sell. You walk in and see colored stone pendants, diamond ear rings, pearl necklaces, and then tucked into one or two cases are those special rings that you’re looking for.
I’ve had the chance to experience the selection and atmosphere of other jewelry stores and I’ve found that there are about 100 styles of rings in each store.
Here at Belliston Jewelry we have over 1,000 styles of engagement rings in the store alone.
Each associate in our store are experienced in helping you navigate. We know the store, and we want to help you find the right one. We’re like your matchmaker, so to speak. And since our focus is on you as a customer, we don’t just try to sell you a ring, we keep it within your budget.
If you desire to have something unique and separate from Jen’s or Carrie’s remember that Belliston Jewelry has over 1,000 unique styles to choose from.
Congratulations to you in this great time of your life!
More Facets, More Sparkle??
A look into what makes your diamond more radiant…
I recently spent a Wednesday night going around to various jewelry stores in the Ogden area and looking at what they had to offer. Without pointing fingers, one particular store was trying to sell me a diamond that was extra special—it had more facets. Without rolling my eyes, I tried to look very impressed.
There is one big reason why diamond suppliers and stores try to pass off these brilliant “multi-faceted” round stones. The secret is that they aren’t the best. So they figure they can sell more by trying to make those diamonds different.
Let’s face it, the round brilliant stone has been around for an extremely long time; hence, giving stores more impressive ways to market their duds.
As a rule, these extra facets don’t create any extra brilliance.
In fact, I read a blog entry by Maarten de Witte, one of the team members that created the Hearts of Fire diamond. According to him, research has shown that extra facets actually create less facet contrast.
This minimal contrast results in less sharply defined bright-ness, fire and sparkle.
Let’s see, the last time I checked, we wanted more sparkle from our diamonds!
I want you to imagine a one carat round diamond with a million facets on it. To me, all it looks like is a large frosted ball. More facets=less sparkle.
To get that blinding oomph that you want out of your diamond, what you should be asking from your diamond is, “Are you cut right?”
Here at Belliston Jewelry, we specialize in the Ideal Cut diamond.
When the diamond is cut to the correct proportions with the right amount of facets, what you get is the most brilliantly blazing stone you can afford.
de Witte, Maarten. "Are More Facets Better?." Aug 2009: n. pag. Web. 11 Jun 2010..
I recently spent a Wednesday night going around to various jewelry stores in the Ogden area and looking at what they had to offer. Without pointing fingers, one particular store was trying to sell me a diamond that was extra special—it had more facets. Without rolling my eyes, I tried to look very impressed.
There is one big reason why diamond suppliers and stores try to pass off these brilliant “multi-faceted” round stones. The secret is that they aren’t the best. So they figure they can sell more by trying to make those diamonds different.
Let’s face it, the round brilliant stone has been around for an extremely long time; hence, giving stores more impressive ways to market their duds.
As a rule, these extra facets don’t create any extra brilliance.
In fact, I read a blog entry by Maarten de Witte, one of the team members that created the Hearts of Fire diamond. According to him, research has shown that extra facets actually create less facet contrast.
This minimal contrast results in less sharply defined bright-ness, fire and sparkle.
Let’s see, the last time I checked, we wanted more sparkle from our diamonds!
I want you to imagine a one carat round diamond with a million facets on it. To me, all it looks like is a large frosted ball. More facets=less sparkle.
To get that blinding oomph that you want out of your diamond, what you should be asking from your diamond is, “Are you cut right?”
Here at Belliston Jewelry, we specialize in the Ideal Cut diamond.
When the diamond is cut to the correct proportions with the right amount of facets, what you get is the most brilliantly blazing stone you can afford.
de Witte, Maarten. "Are More Facets Better?." Aug 2009: n. pag. Web. 11 Jun 2010.
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