General Care: Make It Last!
Be sure to remove your pieces before participating in heavy physical activities such as sports, gardening, cleaning the house or using chemicals. Even lotions, perfume, hairspray, perspiration, and swimming pool chemicals can damage and discolor some gemstones and precious metals, such as gold, silver and platinum. Many household cleaners contain ammonia and other ingredients, which may be harmful and can permanently damage gold alloys and precious gems.
Keep it safe from scratches, storing your pieces in velvet-lined jewelry boxes or pouches will prevent scratches on your gems, silver and gold.
Extreme heat or extreme cold can fracture a gem. While not wearing your jewelry, keep your items out of direct sunlight. High heat and ultra-violet rays can both easily remove the natural moisture from some gems (such as opal, emerald, amber, pearls, amethyst and kunzite), causing them to crack or discolor. For instance color-fading may occur if left out near a daylight window.