Jewelry Care

Your ColorSpark Jewelry will stay as fresh looking as when you first received it if you handle it gently and keep in mind the pieces are made from natural materials that react to the environment.

All Jewelry

All pearls and most stones, especially the softer ones such as malachite and turquoise, will absorb oils, sprays and chemicals, and eventually be affected (turquoise will darken or turn yellowish, for example). Extensive cleaning can be avoided if basic jewelry care becomes part of your routine.

When dressing, always put your jewelry on last, after applying any perfume or hairsprays. If possible, avoid putting perfume or body lotion where your necklace or bracelet will lay so the chemicals do not accumulate on your jewelry.

When undressing, take your jewelry off first. As soon as you can, wipe your jewelry with a soft slightly damp cotton cloth to remove any oils or perspiration, and let the jewelry lay flat and air dry. Use cotton rather than tissues or paper towels because paper products have wood fibers in them that can create tiny scratches.

After your jewelry is completely dry, wrap in anti-tarnish tissue before putting into your jewelry box. To avoid scratches, keep each piece of jewelry separate and protected rather than put an unwrapped piece into a jewelry box with many other unprotected pieces. Every time pieces of jewelry rub against each other, they get scratched. Sometimes you can't even see the scratches right away. But once there, each little scratch is a place for chemicals or moisture to collect and eventually cause further damage.

Information about cleaning particular types of jewelry can be found at:  How to Clean Jewelry/Soft Gemstones, How to Clean Pearls, How to Clean Crystals, How to Clean Gold Jewelry, How to Clean Silver Jewelry and, specifically, how to take care of jewelry made from tarnish-resistant Argentium Sterling Silver. The advice is conservative, starting first with the gentlest technique so the jewelry can be cleaned without being damaged. It's easy to take further steps to clean jewelry; it's very difficult to undo damage caused by cleaning jewelry more aggressively than is needed.

Taking Care of Jewelry ~ The Basics

• When dressing, put your jewelry on last (after perfume and sprays) and take it off first when undressing.
• Never wear jewelry in a swimming pool or hot tub; the chlorine bleach in the water will damage it.
• All bleach and other chemicals such as alcohol, acetone and turpentine will damage jewelry, especially the softer stones; their smooth glossy surface will be dulled and even pitted by chemicals.
• When you're not wearing your jewelry, keep it out of direct sunlight.
• To avoid scratches when being stored, wrap each piece separately in anti-tarnish tissue for jewelry or keep in its own gift box.