Jewelry Care

Store your jewelry in a clean, dry place. Keep your jewelry in a fabric-lined jewelry case, or in a box with compartments and dividers. If you prefer to use ordinary boxes, wrap each piece individually in soft tissue paper. Don't jumble your jewelry pieces in a drawer or jewelry case. Pieces can scratch each other. Be careful when removing your jewelry to wash your hands. Do not leave your jewelry on the rim of a sink where it can easily slip down the drain. See your jeweler at least once a year to have your jewelry checked for loose prongs, worn mountings, and general wear and tear. Visit your jeweler every six months to have your jewelry professionally cleaned. There are many types of small machines on the market that will clean jewelry in a matter of minutes using high-frequency sound. These machines are called ultrasonic cleaners and are available in many different models and prices. They can be a convenient way to quickly clean your jewelry at home. However, ultrasonic cleaners can damage some jewelry and prolonged use may loosen gemstones from their mountings. Your jeweler can tell you if an ultrasonic cleaning machine is right for your jewelry wardrobe and, if it is, recommend and appropriate model.

Diamond Jewelry

Diamond jewelry is very popular. Some pieces, such as diamond engagement and wedding rings, are often worn 24 hours a day. Even though you may wear your diamond jewelry around the clock, you should give thought to its care. Diamonds are durable, but they still require proper maintenance. Diamonds can get smudged, soiled and dusty. Lotions, powders, soaps and natural skin oils put a film on diamonds and cut down their brilliance. Clean diamonds glow, because the maximum amount of light can enter the stone and return in a fiery brilliance. It takes just a little care to keep them that way:

Do not wear diamond jewelry, especially rings, when doing rough work. Even though diamond is one of the hardest materials in nature, it can still be chipped by a sharp, sudden blow.

Chlorine can damage and discolor the mounting on your diamond jewelry. Keep your diamond away from chlorine bleach or other household chemicals. You should also remove your diamond jewelry before entering a chlorinated pool or hot tub.

Clean your diamonds regularly using a commercial jewelry cleaner, a mix of ammonia and water, or a mild detergent. Dip the jewelry into the solution and use a soft brush to dislodge dust or dirt from under the setting. Always thoroughly rinse and dry your jewelry after cleaning and before storage.Avoid touching clean diamonds with your fingers. Handle clean jewelry by its edges.

Karat Gold

Karat gold jewelry pieces make up the majority of many fine jewelry collections. Gold comes in may different styles and colors, but the care and cleaning procedure remains the same: Remove all gold jewelry before showering or cleaning. Soap can cause a film to form on karat gold jewelry, making it appear dull and dingy. By preventing the formation of this film, you immediately reduce the frequency with which your pieces will need to be cleaned.

To clean your jewelry at home, you’ll find many commercial cleaners available. In addition, you will find a soft chamois cloth an effective and inexpensive way to keep your pieces lustrous and shining. Ask your jeweler to recommend both of these items for you. For certain gold jewelry, especially pieces that do not contain colored gemstones, an ultrasonic cleaning machine may be appropriate. Once again, ask your jeweler to advise you. Be careful of chlorine. Chlorine, especially at high temperatures, can permanently damage or discolor your gold jewelry. Do not wear gold while using chlorine bleach or while in a pool or hot tub.

You can remove tarnish with jewelry cleaner, or by using soap and water mixed with a few drops of ammonia. Carefully brush with a soft bristle brush. An old toothbrush can also be used. After the brushing simply rinse with lukewarm water and allow to dry. If there is a heavy tarnish on your jewelry, consult your jeweler for the best cleaning procedure. You should also talk to your jeweler before attempting to clean any karat gold jewelry set with colored gemstones, because some stones require special cleaning procedures.Grease can be removed from karat gold jewelry by dipping the jewelry into plain rubbing alcohol. Again, check with your jeweler about colored gemstone pieces.

Platinum

Platinum is one of the rarest and most durable precious metals. It is resistant to tarnishing and discoloration from chlorine and other chemicals. These factors, along with its strength and white luster, have made platinum an increasingly popular choice for jewelry, either on its own or as the setting for diamonds and other precious gemstones. However, despite its durability, platinum jewelry needs to be properly cared for.

Platinum jewelry can be cleaned in the same manner as other fine as other fine jewelry. Your jeweler can recommend a prepackaged jewelry cleaner that works with platinum, or ask your jeweler to professionally clean your platinum pieces. A professional cleaning every six months will keep your platinum jewelry in great shape.

Store your platinum jewelry separately and with care, not allowing pieces to touch each other, because even platinum can be scratched. Signs of wear, such as scratches, can eventually appear on platinum. However, due to the metal’s durability there is usually little metal loss from the scratch. If visible scratches do appear, your jeweler should be able to re-polish the piece.

If your platinum is set with diamonds or other precious stones, be especially careful, as these material scan be more susceptible to damage. Some fine jewelry pieces combine platinum with karat gold. Care for these pieces as you would your gold jewelry, or consult your jeweler.

Sterling Silver

Sterling silver, like other precious metals, can oxidize with time. But properly maintained silver jewelry improves with age and develops a lush patina. Treat your silver well, care for it properly and it will reward you with a long life and lustrous look.

Clean you silver jewelry with a mild soap and water solution, allowing the water to bead up, and then pat dry with soft cloth. For more stubborn dirt, use a jewelry cleaner designed for silver use. Ask your jeweler to recommend an appropriate brand.

Store your silver in a cool, dry place, preferably in a tarnish-preventive bag or wrapped in a soft piece of felt or cloth. Store pieces individually, so that they don’t knock together and scratch.

Do not rub silver with anything other than a polishing cloth or a fine piece of felt. Your jeweler should be able to provide these. Tissue paper or paper towels can cause scratches because of the fibers in these products.Make sure your silver is not exposed to air and light during storage – this can cause silver to tarnish. And don’t wear sterling silver in chlorinated water or when working with household chemicals.

Gemstones

We have gathered together information about some of the many wonderful gemstones available today in an effort to assist you in being knowledgeable in your jewelry purchases. We hope this information will be a benefit to you in making an informed choice about the gemstone you would like to purcahse.

Amber

Amber is delicate, fossilized tree resin that often locks in secrets from the past. Amber is available in a wide array of colors, the most popular ranging from yellow to orange, mimicking the color of honey touched by the setting sun. Other less common colors include red, green, blue violet and black. Ranging from transparent opaque, the finest amber is clear with little or no cloudiness.

Amber is one of the few gem materials not technically considered a mineral. Formed from fossilized tree resins 10 million to 100 million years ago, it is classified as an organic gem. Unlike most gemstones, inclusions can add a great deal to the value of amber – especially if these inclusions are plants or insects that have been trapped inside. A complete leaf or mushroom is highly desirable. Even more sought-after are pieces of amber containing the completely intact body of an insect. Being a gemstone of organic origins, amber requires some special but simple care and handling. Amber is a rather soft gemstone and can be easily scratched. It lends itself well to earring sand necklaces where contact with hard objects is minimized.

Origins
Throughout documented history amber has been washing up on the shores of countries lining the Baltic Sea. One of today’s best sources for amber is the Dominican Republic. Secondary sources include Myanmar and Mexico.
Treatments
Amber is sometimes heated to create deeper colors, or heated in oil to remove cloudiness. Oil-heated amber often contains highly reflective, disc-like inclusions called spangles.

Care
A soft, damp cloth may be used for cleaning amber. Amber should never be submitted to steam or ultrasonic cleaning. Avoid alcohol, bleach and all harsh chemicals. Also avoid prolonged exposure to hot water. The safest way to clean a piece of jewelry containing amber is with lukewarm water, a very mild soap and a soft brush. Be sure to rinse thoroughly and allow the amber to dry completely before storing the piece in your jewelry box. Store each piece separately so that other jewelry won’t scratch it.

Amethyst

Amethyst holds a magical appeal that’s proven to be timeless and universal. Amethyst displays a majestic hue of purple, moving from very light to very dark. With purple being the chosen color of royalty, amethyst has enjoyed an unwavering popularity dating back thousands of years. The finest quality amethyst exhibits a high degree of transparency and a rich deep purple color enhanced by flashes of burgundy or rose.

Amethyst has been a popular gemstone for centuries, and with good reason. It is beautiful, durable and affordable. Amethyst is a variety of the mineral species quartz. It is a hard gemstone that is resistant to both scratching and breaking. Amethyst can be faceted or fashioned into cabochon cuts.

Birthstone
Amethyst is the birthstone for February.

Origins
Amethyst is found all over the world. Major sources include Brazil and Uruguay. Other sources include Zambia, India, Sri Lanka and the United States. Small quantities of very fine amethyst are also mined in Russia.

Treatments
Almost all amethyst is heated to bring out its best color. Heat-treated amethyst is very stable and requires no special handling.

Care
The beautiful color in your amethyst, if properly taken care of, will last indefinitely. Amethyst should be protected from sharp blows and scratches but is otherwise quite resistant to normal wear. Amethyst can be cleaned with most any commercial jewelry cleaner or mild soap and lukewarm water using a soft brush. Be sure to rinse and dry your jewelry thoroughly after cleaning. Some amethyst, whether treated or not, may fade if exposed to sunlight for long periods of time. Because of this, you shouldn’t wear your amethyst jewelry while sunbathing or when using a tanning bed.

Aquamarine

The Greeks proclaimed this highly prized, light blue gem aquamarine, because it sparkles like the sea touched by the sun. Found in an array of pastel tones from very light to medium blue, aquamarine is often tinted by a splash of green. The delicate greenish blue of a fine aquamarine conjures up images of dancing light on the purest of tropical waters

Aquamarine holds its place securely among the world’s most desirable gems. Ranging in tone from a very light to medium blue, many aquamarines will exhibit a light tint of green in their body color. Generally the darker shades are more valued, but many people prefer the lively brightness of lighter hues. Aquamarine is readily available in larger sizes over 5 carats. In fact, gem quality aquamarine crystals weighing several hundred pounds have been discovered.

Birthstone
Aquamarine is the birthstone for March.

Origins
Today’s most important source for aquamarine is Brazil. Other sources include Zambia, Nigeria, Madagascar and the United States.

Treatments
Virtually all aquamarine is heated to minimize the greenish component of its color, making it appear a purer blue. Heat treated aquamarines are treated generally stable, but their color may fade if exposed to prolonged periods of high heat or direct sunlight.

Care
Aquamarines should never be cleaned with a steam cleaner or an ultrasonic cleaning machine. Aquamarines can be cleaned with most any commercial jewelry cleaner or mild soap and lukewarm water using a soft brush. Be sure to rinse and dry you jewelry thoroughly after cleaning.

Citrine

As the golden variety of the quartz family, citrine takes its name from citron, the French word for lemon. But don’t think that all citrine is the color of lemonade. Citrines range from the soft hues of golden champagne to the rich, deep color of a fine Madeira wine. Its broad range of colors and outstanding affordability make citrine one of the most popular and desirable gemstones in the world.

Birthstone
Citrine is an alternate birthstone for November.

Origins
Most citrine comes from Brazil. Other important sources include Madagascar, Bolivia and the United States.

Treatments
Almost all citrine on the market today has been heat treated to improve its appearance. The color of citrine, whether treated or not, may fade if exposed to heat or sunlight for prolonged periods.

Care
The beautiful color in your citrine, if properly taken care of, will last indefinitely. Citrine should be protected from sharp blows and scratches but is otherwise quite resistant to normal wear. Citrine can be cleaned with most any commercial jewelry cleaner or mild soap and lukewarm water using a soft brush. Be sure to rinse and dry your jewelry thoroughly after cleaning. Some citrine, whether treated or not, may fade if exposed to sunlight or heat for long periods of time. Because of this, you should never wear your citrine jewelry while sunbathing or when using a tanning bed.

Cultured Pearls

Long known as the “Queen of Gems,” the pearl possesses a history and allure more compelling than any other gem. In fact, a beautifully matched strand of natural pearls is a treasure of incomparable value. Given the incredible rarity of natural pearls, today’s cultured pearls combine the beauty of nature with the genius of man to create an organic gem available in a wide array of styles and prices.

Cultured pearls are formed when a small piece of mantle tissue, a bead, or both is implanted into an oyster. Implanted material encourages the oyster to begin producing a rich and luxurious material, called nacre, that creates the pearl’s lustrous outer glow. Cultivated in both fresh and salt water, cultured pearls come in many different shapes and colors. The most popular shapes have traditionally been round, but more unusual shapes like baroque and button are also available. Colors range from white and cream to gray and black, as well as rich purples, golds and yellows.

Birthstones
Cultured pearl is the birthstone for June.

Origins
Saltwater cultured pearls are produced in the ocean bays, atolls and inlets of Japan, China, Australia, French Polynesia, Myanmar, Indonesia and the Philippines. Freshwater cultured pearls are produced in the lakes and rivers of China and the United States.

Treatments
Most of the lighter shades of cultured pearls are mildly bleached to even out their color. Cultured pearls are sometimes tumbled to enhance roundness. They may be dyed to produce overtones of pink or strong body colors like teal, magenta or gold. Occasionally cultured pearls are irradiated to create strong iridescence or dark hues like black or gray

Care
Cultured pearls are softer than most gemstones but durable enough for everyday wear. Because oils, soaps and chemicals can damage the beautiful nacre, you should apply cosmetics, perfumes and hairspray before putting on your pearls. Wipe your pearls with dry, soft cloth after each wearing. Never clean cultured pearls with any harsh chemical, and only use a commercial jewelry cleaner specifically made for cultured pearls. The safest cleaning method is using a mild soap and lukewarm water solution, wiping with a soft cloth. Always lay strands flat to dry to prevent the cord from stretching. To ensure years of enjoyment, be sure to have your cultured pearl strands inspected regularly and re-strung as needed by a Jewelers of America member jeweler.

Garnet

When most people think of garnet, they see only images of a dark red gemstones. But look a little deeper into garnet’s may varieties, and you’ll discover every color of the rainbow except blue. Few gems can rival garnet in the diversity of colors available. The green of summer grass, the fold of freshly harvested wheat, the orange of a fiery hot steel, the pink of a delicate rosebud – garnet offers all these colors and more.

Jewelry set with dark red garnets from Czechoslovakia was extremely popular in the nineteenth century. Pieces set with these Bohemian garnets are still in high demand today for their beauty and uniqueness. Today’s gemstone collector knows that garnet offers a myriad of color choices in every shade imaginable, except blue.

Birthstone
Garnet is the birthstone for January.

Origins
Garnets are mined in many locales around the world. Some of its more important sources include Africa, Australia, Brazil, India, Madagascar, Russia, Sri Lanka and the United States.

Treatments
There are not treatments commonly used to enhance garnet.

Care
Garnet is both hard and durable. Garnet can be cleaned using an ultrasonic cleaning machine, any commercial jewelry cleaner or mild soap and lukewarm water using a soft brush. Be sure to rinse and dry your jewelry thoroughly after cleaning.

Opal

Unlike any other gemstone, opal dazzles the eye with a spectral display of flashing and dancing colors – colors that move and shift within the opal’s mysterious depths. A Roman historian n the first century AD wrote, “There is in them a softer fire than the buy, there is the brilliant purple of the amethyst and the sea green of the emerald – all shining together in incredible union. Some by their splendor rival the colors of the painters, others the flame of burning sulfur or of fire quickened by oil.” Opal offers the wearer a wider variety of appearances and color choices than any other gem.

Birthstone
Opal is the birthstone for October and shares this designation with tourmaline.

Origins
Most of the world’s opals come from the deserts of Australia. Other important sources include Mexico and the United States.

Treatments
There are various treatments used to enhance the beauty of opals. The most common treatments darken the body color, making the play of color slightly more noticeable. Some opals are coated with oil, wax or plastic to improve their appearance. All of these treatments only affect a thin outer layer of the gem’s surface and, therefore, are not considered stable

Care
Because of their unusually high water content, opals should be protected from heat and strong light that can dry them out. Opals also draw moisture from the air and, therefore, should not be stored for long periods of time in dehumidified environments such as a bank vault. Never clean an opal using strong chemicals or detergents, and avoid both ultrasonic and steam cleaning machines. Because opals are slightly softer than most transparent gemstones, they are best suited for wear in earrings and pendants. When mounted in a ring or bracelet, special attention should be paid to ensure the stone is well protected. Opals can be cleaned with mild soap and lukewarm water using a soft brush. Be sure to rinse and dry your jewelry thoroughly after cleaning.

Peridot

Often called the “volcanic gem,” peridot usually forms in the rocks created by violent volcanic activity. On rare occasions, peridot also has been found in meteorites that have fallen to earth. No matter the source, whether from Mother Nature’s fiery depths or rocks that are truly out of this world, peridot has caught the attention of humans for thousands of years. Ranging from a light yellowish green to darker, richer shades of olive, peridot conjures images of young spring grass or the greens of a rich, dark forest at twilight.

Peridot has a history dating back well over 3,500 years. It was first mined on the Isle of Serpents in the Red Sea. Later renamed St. John’s Island, this historically important source of peridot supplied gems to the royal rulers of ancient Egypt, including Cleopatra. In recent years the popularity of peridot has steadily increased. This can be attributed to its availability, affordability and the growing use of shades of chartreuse by some of the world’s leading fashion designers.

Birthstone
Peridot is the birthstone for August.

Origins
Peridot in limited quantities has been found in many volcanic regions all over the world, including parts of Italy and the Hawaiian Islands. Some of the world’s finest quality peridots are mined in Myanmar. The world’s most prolific source of peridot is the San Carlos Native American Reservation in Arizona. Other sources include China, Brazil and Pakistan.

Treatments
There are no treatments commonly used to enhance peridot.

Care
Peridot does not react well to heat. Avoid sudden temperature changes. Peridot should never be cleaned with steam cleaner or ultrasonic cleaning machine. Peridot can be cleaned with most commercial jewelry cleaner or mild soap and lukewarm water using a soft brush. Be sure to rinse and dry your jewelry thoroughly after cleaning.

Ruby

Ruby is all about passion – penetrating the heart with color and fire like no other gemstone. Unmatched in legend and seldom rivaled in beauty, it combines the energy of light with the power of fire into a single breathtaking scarlet colored gem. Recognized as the world’s most valued gemstone for centuries, ruby holds the undisputed title as the “King of Gems.”

Ruby possesses a color like no other red gemstone. At its finest, the purity of its burning crimson hue inspires us with love and desire. Rubies come in a variety of colors ranging from purplish red to orangey red. Ruby belongs to the same mineral family as sapphire, but if a gem is too light tone or too purple orange in hue, it is called a fancy sapphire and not a ruby. The most sought-after rubies are pure red or red with a very slight pinkish undertone. Very fine quality rubies, especially in sizes over 3 carats, are incredibly rare and valuable – much rarer than top quality colorless diamonds.

Birthstone
Ruby is the birthstone for July

Origins
Some of the finest rubies in the world are mined in Myanmar. Other important sources include Kenya, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand and Vietnam.

Treatments
Ruby is routinely heat treated to improve its appearance. Heat enhanced rubies are extremely stable. Some rubies may have a glasslike residue left in surface-reaching fissures after they are heated. This glasslike material is not stable, and care should be exercised during the cleaning process.

Care
Rubies are both a hard and durable and can be cleaned using an ultrasonic cleaning machine, any commercial jewelry cleaner or mild soap and lukewarm water using a soft brush. Rubies with a glasslike residue in surface-reaching fractures should not be cleaned with an ultrasonic or steam machine. Be sure to rinse and dry your jewelry thoroughly after cleaning.

Spinal

Overshadowed for centuries by more popular gemstones, spinel is a truly magnificent beauty just waiting to be discovered by today’s savvy gem connoisseur. In the past, spectacular spinels, particularly red spinels, were often misidentified as rubies or sapphires. From the British crown jewels to the imperial crown of Catherine II of Russia, what were thought to be magnificent rubies have been found to actually be equally beautiful spinels. And red isn’t the only color of spinel. You’ll find soft pastel shades of pink and purple, fiery oranges, and cool hues ranging from powdery gray to the most intense blues imaginable.

Spinel has been a longtime favorite of the serious gem collector, due to its incredible brilliance, outstanding durability and wide array of colors. Making spinel even more attractive is its surprising affordability, often attributed to the general public’s lack of awareness of the gemstone. For those looking for an alternative to higher priced rubies and sapphires, spinel may be the best choice.

Birthstone
Natural spinel holds no birthstone designation, but laboratory grown spinel in many different colors has been commonly used to imitate birthstones (including diamonds) in less expensive jewelry since the early 1900s. Synthetic spinel is rarely used to imitate natural spinel.

Origins
Myanmar is the source of some of the world’s most beautiful spinels, particularly the magnificent pink, red and orangey red colors. Other sources for spinel include Sri Lanka, Thailand and Tanzania

Treatments
There are no treatments commonly used to enhance spinel.

Care
Spinel is hard and durable. It can be cleaned using an ultrasonic machine, any commercial jewelry cleaner or mild soap and lukewarm water using a soft brush. Be sure to rinse and dry your jewelry thoroughly after cleaning.

Tanzanite

Tanzanite is the “new kid on the block” of the gemstone kingdom. Discovered in Tanzania in 1967 and introduced to the American market in 1969, tanzanite has catapulted to incredible popularity in a very short amount of time. It was named in honor of the country which it was found and introduced to the United States for the first time by tiffany & Co. Available in colors ranging from blue to violet to purple, few gems can rival tanzanite’s depth of hue and purity of color.

Tanzanite owes much of its beauty to an unusual gemological property called pleochroism, the ability to exhibit more than one color. When viewed from different directions, tanzanite can look blue, violet, purple, bronze or gray. Before a tanzanite is faceted, the gemstone cutter studies the crystal and decides which directional orientation will show the best color. Most cutters will try to produce a pure blue tanzanite, but cutting to achieve a blue color sacrifices a lot of weight and results in a smaller and more costly finished gem. Yet the blue of well-cut tanzanite is so breathtaking that most agree the sacrifice is well worth it. Tanzanite shows its strongest colors in sizes of 4 to 5 carats larger. Smaller tanzanites are usually soft blue, light violet or lilac purple.

Birthstone
Tanzanite is sometimes used as an alternate for the traditional December birthstones turquoise and zircon.

Origins
Tanzanite is mined in only one location in the world, the Merelani Hills of Tanzania, in eastern of Africa

Treatments
Virtually all tanzanite is gently heated to bring out its rich blue, violet and purple hues. Heating also minimizes the gem’s bronze or brownish tones

Care
Tanzanite is a relatively hard gemstone, but it is not equally durable. Tanzanite may chip or break if exposed to moderate blows or sudden changes in temperature. It is best suited for wear in earrings and pendants. When mounted in a ring or bracelet, special attention should be paid to ensure the stone is well-protected. Tanzanite should never be cleaned with an ultrasonic or steam machine. Tanzanite can be cleaned with most any commercial jewelry cleaner or mild soap and lukewarm water using a soft brush. Be sure to rinse and dry thoroughly after cleaning.

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Monday - Saturday: 10am-5pm
Closed: Sunday

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Stonecraft Jewelers
2560 Mountain City Highway, Suite 103,
Elko, NV 89801
Phone: 775.753.5506

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