Taking Care of Your Jewelry

DDL creates each piece of jewelry with the highest standards in design, materials and craftsmanship. Each piece of jewelry is crafted to last for a lifetime and to be passed down for generations. Simple basic jewelry care must be maintained to ensure that your jewelry may become an heirloom.

• Here are tips to keep your jewelry in tip-top condition:
• Store each piece of jewelry in either a jewelry case or in the case provided by DDL, keep each piece separated from the others, hard stones, such as diamonds, rubies and sapphires can scratch gold or softer stones, such as pearls, opals, etc.
• Remove your jewelry when you are working out. Do not drop your jewelry in your purse you can scratch the gemstones and gold. Do not wrap jewelry in a tissue; chances are great that you will throw that tissue away. DDL will be happy to provide an extra jewelry case to keep in your purse.
• Avoid storing your jewelry near a heating vent or in sunlight. Sunlight can fade some colored gemstones.
• Remove your jewelry when doing household chores or gardening. Cleaning products can cause gold to disintegrate and discolor.
• Don’t wear your jewelry when swimming. Chlorine can damage many gemstones and can break down the molecules in precious metals. Saltwater, after a period of time, will also damage many gemstones.
• Wait until you’ve finished applying your makeup and hair product before you put your jewelry on.
• Do not remove your jewelry over an open drain. Earrings and rings can easily slide down the pipes.
• Remove your jewelry before taking a shower, soap can create a film. Please do not remove your jewelry over the sink. Earrings and rings can fall down the drain.
• Examine your jewelry periodically to make sure the settings are snug and the clasps and joinings are secured. Prong settings are vulnerable if they are hit against a hard surface or if snagged on clothing. DDL will be happy to check the prongs and the clasps and joinings, and will retip these for you if they are loose.
• When you finish wearing a pearl necklace or any other piece that is composed of separate stones or beads strung together, lay it flat to prevent the silk thread from stretching.
• Have your pearls restrung no less than every two years, or more if you wear them frequently. The silk thread can wear out, and you can lose many pearls if the thread should tear.
• Use a jewelry cleaner designed for silver. You can reduce tarnishing by sealing it tightly in a sealable plastic bag. Don’t do this with pearls.
• Clean your jewelry regularly. The best way is to use a cleaner made especially for jewelry.
• If you have any questions, please call us at 212-594-3757 or email us at: info@donnadistefanoltd.com