Find space in the home to keep jewelry safe, well cared for - Uniontown Herald Standard
If you’ve been dazzled by a fine piece of jewelry on Valentine’s Day, congratulations!
Jewelry can mark special moments in our lives, including holidays, birthdays, engagements, weddings, graduations and retirements. They are symbols of love and esteem.
And, as such, these cherished pieces are worth your attention and care.
So make sure your home is prepared for your fine jewelry.
Area jewelers offered some tips on care and storing of these special pieces.
When it comes to storage, nothing beats a safe.
“The best thing is to have a safe in your home,’’ said Danette Ramsey, who is co-owner of Abby’s Gold and Gems in Uniontown with her parents John and Diane Carom.
“The ideal is a safe that’s not on wheels,’’ said Joe Orszulak, manager of Kathryn Jewelry in Connellsville. “If you’re going to have a safe, make sure it’s bolted or cemented to the floor.’’
If you’re not using a safe, there are a variety of ways to keep your jewelry.
“A lot of people keep it in the box they were sold in. We have satin pouches you can keep them in. Chains should be laid flat. If you throw them in a bag, they will get knotted,’’ said Ramsey, who noted that chains should also be laid flat in a safe.
Jewelry boxes should have a lining for fine jewelry and make sure there are enough compartments so your pieces will not become tangled. Some jewelry boxes have hooks on which to hang chains. And make sure that your gemstones aren’t rubbing against other jewelry as some stones, such as diamonds, can scratch your other jewelry.
Temperature might be a concern for some jewelry.
“Keep sterling silver in a dark, cool place, preferably in a Ziploc,’’ advised Orszulak as a way to prevent tarnishing. “You need to keep it out of direct sunlight, heat and moisture.’’
Marsha Fragello, manager of MarBill Diamonds and Jewelry in Belle Vernon, observed, “Opals are soft stones. Don’t take them from hot to cold.’’
Regardless of where you keep your fine pieces, jewelers recommend you have insurance.
“Make sure your policy covers it and an updated appraisal is recommended every five to seven years,’’ said Ramsey. “A diamond will increase in value so if you purchased a diamond 20 years ago, you need to update your appraisal.’’
Orszulak said, “Expensive pieces should be insured with pictures of them.’’
Like anything, jewelry can become dirty.
You can buy special cleaners for your fine jewelry that can be kept in your home and used as needed.
How often do you clean your jewelry?
“It depends on the person,’’ said Ramsey. “Some don’t wear theirs often, others do. Some people put their on to go to dinner and take it off. Some people sleep with their jewelry on and shower with it. We don’t recommend that.’’
People who wear their jewelry often need to clean it more often as the jewelry will pick up hairspray, perfume and hand lotions.
Fragello noted wearing jewelry often makes it more likely to become damaged.
“The base of the ring — the shank — can become worn down. The more you wear it, the more it wears down,’’ Fragello said.
When you take it off, be careful of where you put it. Don’t leave it on a sink where it might fall down the drain. If you leave it unattended on a table, it could be knocked off and lost. If you’re not wearing your jewelry, it’s best to put it away.
Jewelers recommend you have your rings cleaned and checked periodically at a jewelry store.
“You want to get your prongs checked,’’ said Fragello. “If you have a ring with four prongs and one of them snaps off, your diamond would be compromised because it’s down to three prongs instead of four.’’
Jewelers advise to make sure you make any necessary repairs when you detect damage.
“Have it serviced right away, especially your engagement ring,’’ said Ramsey.
You can walk into many stores for a cleaning and check up of your jewelry but you will probably need an appointment for an appraisal.
Fragello noted the appraisal will take a couple of days.
And don’t forget antique pieces, jewelry that’s been handed down from generation to generation. These pieces also need special care and insurance.
But if something happens to antique pieces, be aware that there is only so much a jeweler can do.
“We can replace a diamond but it’s not Grandma’s diamond,’’ Ramsey noted.
So when you bring your jewelry home, take care how you store your jewelry and make sure to clean and check it periodically.
“It’s important,’’ said Ramsey. “People have spent a lot of money on a piece and need to take care of it.’
That’s especially true of the pieces — regardless of their age — that have sentimental value.
Said Ramsey, “Those are even more important.’’
