Jewelry Care Guide - Tips for Keeping Your Pieces Sparkling

Your Amity Alexandra jewelry is a carefully crafted piece of art designed to be cherished for a lifetime. To keep your jewelry as stunning as the day you received it, we've put together a guide to help you care for it with the same love and attention that went into creating it.

Cleaning Your Jewelry

Regular Cleaning: Gently clean your jewelry regularly to keep it free from dirt and oils that can dull its shine. Use a soft, lint-free cloth to wipe down each piece after wearing.
Deep Cleaning: For a more thorough clean, mix a small amount of mild dish soap with warm water. Soak your jewelry for a few minutes, then use a soft-bristled brush to gently scrub away any residue, particularly around settings and intricate details. Rinse thoroughly with clean water and dry with a soft cloth.
Avoid Harsh Chemicals: Never use bleach, ammonia, or abrasive cleaners on your jewelry. These substances can damage the metal and gemstones, leading to discoloration or deterioration.
Ultrasonic Cleaning: Ultrasonic cleaning is deemed safe for our pieces using diamonds, moissanites and lab grown sapphires. Avoid placing softer or porous stones like onyx, moonstone, opal, pearls, and garnet into a steam cleaner.

Storing Your Jewelry

Individual Storage: Store each piece separately to avoid scratches and tangling, particularly with softer stones like pearls and opals. We recommend using soft pouches, lined jewelry boxes, or individual compartments.
Cool, Dry Place: Keep your jewelry in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight or moisture. High humidity can cause tarnishing, especially on silver and vermeil pieces. Consider investing in anti tarnish strips to store with your jewelry.
Avoid Humidity: Consider using silica gel packs in your jewelry storage to reduce moisture and prevent tarnishing.

Wearing Your Jewelry

Daily Wear: Remove your jewelry before engaging in activities that could expose it to harsh conditions. This includes exercising, swimming, showering, and applying lotions or perfumes. Chemicals and abrasives can damage both metals and gemstones.
Special Care for Gemstones: Be mindful of how different gemstones react to heat, light, and chemicals. For example, pearls, opals, and moonstone are softer stones and can be easily scratched or damaged by chemicals and heat. See below for more information regarding gemstone care.
Avoid Impact: While your jewelry is designed to be worn and enjoyed, avoid wearing it during activities that may subject it to heavy impact, which can loosen or crack stones and damage settings.

Inspections and Maintenance

Regular Inspections: Inspect your jewelry regularly, paying close attention to prongs and settings. If you notice any loose stones or other signs of wear, contact us for professional repairs.
Professional Cleaning: We recommend having your jewelry professionally cleaned and inspected once a year to maintain its luster and ensure settings are secure.
Replating: For gold-plated or vermeil pieces, consider periodic replating to restore the original finish and keep your jewelry looking brand new.

Special Care for Silver and Vermeil

Silver: Sterling silver can tarnish over time, especially when exposed to air and light. Regular cleaning and proper storage can minimize tarnishing. If tarnishing does occur, use a silver polishing cloth to restore its shine.
Vermeil: Vermeil, with its thick layer of gold over sterling silver, requires gentle care to maintain its finish. Avoid wearing vermeil pieces in water or during activities that may cause scratches. Store vermeil jewelry in a soft pouch to prevent the gold layer from wearing away.

Gemstone Hardness & Care Guidelines

Gemstone	Mohs Hardness	Care Considerations
Diamond	10	Extremely hard and scratch-resistant, but can chip or fracture with a hard impact. Avoid harsh blows and store separately from softer stones.
Moissanite	9.25	Highly durable and scratch-resistant, but can still suffer damage from strong impacts. Handle with care during activities.
Ruby	9	Durable and suitable for everyday wear, but can chip with hard impacts. Store separately to prevent scratching other gems.
Sapphire	9	Durable and suitable for everyday wear, but still vulnerable to chips if struck hard. Best stored individually to avoid scratching other gems.
Topaz	8	Hard but can cleave easily under sharp impacts. Avoid sudden temperature changes and store separately from harder gemstones.
Paraiba Tourmaline	7-7.5	Sensitive to pressure and susceptible to scratches. Keep away from direct sunlight and avoid exposure to harsh chemicals.
Garnet	6.5-7.5	More prone to scratches and chips. Avoid exposure to harsh environments and store away from harder stones.
Onyx	6.5-7	Susceptible to scratching and impact damage. Clean gently and avoid ultrasonic cleaners. Store in a soft pouch.
Moonstone	6-6.5	Delicate and prone to scratches and fractures. Handle with care and avoid exposure to heat or harsh chemicals.
Opal	5.5-6.5	Very delicate and sensitive to impact, temperature changes, and chemicals. Store separately and avoid prolonged water exposure.
Pearl	2.5-4.5	Softest of all, easily scratched and can lose luster. Avoid contact with makeup, perfumes, and chemicals. Clean with a soft cloth and store in a soft, padded container.