What You Need to Know About Taking Care of Your Jewellery...

When it comes to finding a quality jewellery repair store in Winnipeg, you won’t find anyone better than Vandenbergs Fine Jewellery! We’re committed to providing our customers with repaired and refurbished pieces that will continue to be loved and handed down for generations to come.

Though most fine jewellery is made to last a lifetime, we always recommend our clients take the time to learn about jewellery care and the steps to take to protect their pieces from everyday wear and tear. Many people don’t understand the importance of regular cleaning and maintenance and aren’t even sure how to properly clean their pieces!

So, without further ado, let’s go over some important tips that will help you take care of your precious jewellery!

Your Jewellery Needs a Regular Check-Up

Many people make the mistake of never returning to their jeweller for frequent check-ups after making a purchase. But just like a car that needs a regular tune-up, your jewellery should be taken into a jeweller to have it checked and professionally cleaned. We recommended doing this every six months or at most every year so that your piece remains as shiny and beautiful as when you first bought it!

When you bring your jewellery in for its spa treatment, we will:

·       Check for damage and wear

·       Clean and polish each piece

·       Recommend repairs if necessary

Refer to a Professional for Repairs

We are experts in jewellery repair and when you bring your damaged items to Vandenbergs, you can trust our goldsmiths have exceptional attention to detail and great pride in returning your pieces looking like new!

Ring Resizing or Loose Gemstones?

Is your ring too loose or too tight? We can help you with that! And nothing is worse than losing a precious gemstone from a ring. With your regular check-ups, we can ensure your claws are in good condition and there are no loose stones.

To prevent the loss of precious gemstones, it is important to maintain the claws on your ring. As shown in the image, you can see the difference between a new claw and a worn claw. In most cases, if you find your ring is beginning to catch and pull threads from clothing this is an indication the claws are lifted or broken.

Maintaining Your Jewellery at Home

When you think about it, jewellery pieces like wedding and engagement rings will be worn every single day. Considering how much the rings will go through; whether you’re cooking, washing your hands, gardening or cleaning, there’s no shortage of ways that your ring can experience some sort of grime.

How to Clean Your Jewellery

When cleaning your pieces, a jewellery-cleaning solution or a mild detergent mixed with water is suggested. If you want to clean under the claws, use a soft toothbrush to get into those hard-to-reach places. To clean pearls or any porous gemstones such as opal, only a soft cloth is recommended.

If you’re having trouble removing tarnish from your sterling silver, it is best to purchase silver cleaner and rinse well after dipping.

Common Cleaning Mistakes

Toothpaste is best used on your teeth, not on your fine jewellery. There are particles in toothpaste that will scratch metal and gemstones and harden in small openings making it difficult for a jeweller to remove.

How to Store Your Jewellery

The final step in taking care of your jewellery is making sure it is stored properly. Some people will keep their pieces in a safe, while others will use a jewellery box.

Loose stones should be kept in a soft pouch, so they don’t get scratched or scratch other pieces. When it comes to fine chain and necklaces, make sure they are clasped and laid flat before you store them to prevent tangling. Better yet, hang them on a necklace tree or get creative with some ideas from Pinterest.

Regarding silver pieces, make sure they are kept in a dry, cool place in order to avoid tarnishing. A little hint… to slow the tarnishing process you can store your jewellery with a piece of chalk. You can also purchase an anti-tarnish bag if you plan on not wearing the item frequently.

It Starts with Quality You Can Trust

Since 1997 our jewellery professionals have been here to assist you with your jewellery needs whether it be a repair to a precious piece, re-designing a well-loved hand-me-down or something special to mark an important milestone in your life. If you haven’t experienced the Vandenbergs difference, we invite you to visit. If you’ve experienced what makes us unique…we welcome you back!