Bernard's Jewelers is committed to helping you care for and preserve your jewelry. With proper cleaning and maintenance, your jewelry and timepieces may be treasured for generations.
- The more frequently you wear your jewelry, the more quickly it will age. Inspection, maintenance and annual cleaning by a professional jeweler is recommended to restore and rebuild worn or damaged components.
Inspect your gemstone settings (prongs) and clasps regularly. Stop in our store - our jewelers will be happy to do this for you. We also offer appraisal services.
Never expose gold or silver to household cleaners or other harsh chemicals because the metal will become discolored. Did you know that salt water and salty air can tarnish your sterling silver?
Jewelry boxes prevent your jewelry from getting chipped, scratched and tarnished. Some gemstones are quite fragile and can be easily scratchedd if not stored properly. Bernard's Jewelers has a large selection of jewlery boxes and jewelry rolls to keep your jewelry safe for travel.
Diamonds are the hardest gemstones on earth; rubies and sapphires are next, followed by emeralds and topaz, garnets and tourlamines. All other stones are softer and more vulnerable to damage.
We recommend that you have your precious gemstones and gold jewelry cleaned professionally at least once a year depending on wear. To clean them at home, use a non-abrasive cleaner. Bernard's carries the Connosseurs line of professional cleaners for general jewelry cleaning and sterling silver, or you may use 6 parts water to 1 part of ammonia as a cleaning solution. Use a soft bristle brush if needed. Rinse all solution off. Never use any abrasives such as toothpaste to clean precious metal or gemstones. A mild soap solution will work fine for most gemstones, but don't use soap on amber, coral, emerald, opan or turquise - these soft stones and pearls should only be cleaned with a damp soft cloth. Consult your jeweler before using an ultrasonic cleaner.
- Always apply your make-up, perfume and hair styling products prior to putting on your jewelry
- Remove your jewelry before doing any household work or tough jobs such as gardening
- Take off your hand jewelry before using bleach, alcohol, turpentine, acetone or ammonia
- Remove your jewelry before swimming in a chlorine pool or using a hot tub
- Never wear your pearls when getting your hair done at a salon
- Store your jewelry properly; using pouches or boxes will lengthen the lifespan of jewelry
- Gently wipe your jewelry after wear to remove any residual skin oils, makeup, etc.
- Pearls are especially delicate and should be stored flat and separate from other jewelry
