Product Info and Care
Product Information
As a normal part of how many natural gemstones are processed after being mined or harvested, the majority of gemstones on the market are treated in certain ways to improve their appearance. Certain qualities of color or clarity can be rare and expensive when they occur on their own in nature. These treatments enhance the beauty of gemstones and keep price-points friendly.
American Gem Trade Association Treatment Codes
N: Natural–no treatment or enhancements
B: Bleaching–use of heat, light or chemicals to remove color
H: Heating–use of heat to enhance or change a gemstone’s color
D: Dyeing–use of pigments to change a gemstone’s color
HP: Heating and Pressure–used to affect color, clarity, and phenomena
O: Oiling–using oil, resin or similar materials (not glass or plastic) to improve a gemstone’s appearance
R: Radiation–use of neutrons, gamma rays or beta particles to alter a gemstone's color. May be followed by heat. Always tested for safety before being sold to the public.
Product Care
We do our best to provide high quality products that will provide a lifetime of enjoyment. If there is a manufacturing defect outside of normal wear that prevents the purchaser from enjoying this product on a daily basis, please let us know within a year of purchase so we can replace it for you.
Please also be sure to properly care for your jewelry to ensure its longevity by following these guidelines:
- Avoid exposure to chemicals such as bleach, chlorine, alcohol, and acids
- Remove your jewelry (especially rings) before performing strenuous activities such as yard work, cooking, house or vehicle repairs, and exercising/weight lifting
- If you wouldn’t perform these activities in a suit or dress, think twice about doing it with nice jewelry
- Clean jewelry periodically with hand soap, water, and soft toothbrush (fill sink with about 2” of water first so that drain is closed and jewelry won’t hit the basin directly if dropped)
- Polishing cloths are available to help remove tarnish
- Any anti-tarnish dip is only meant for use for about 10 seconds; do not leave jewelry in anti-tarnish dip overnight
- Storing jewelry items in individual plastic bags can help prevent tarnish, tangling, and prevent jewelry pieces from scratching one another
Special Considerations for Pearls, Opals, and Malachite
These stones are relatively soft. As a result, they need to be treated with more care to ensure they last as long as possible.
- Clean jewelry periodically with hand soap, water, and soft toothbrush (fill sink with about 2” of water first so that drain is closed and jewelry won’t hit the basin directly if dropped)
- DO NOT put these stones in anti-tarnish dips such as Connoisseur; the surface will etch and become foggy
- When using polishing cloths, polish around the stones to avoid rubbing the surface of these stones; they can absorb dirt from the cloth
- Pearls and opals will crack if they are stored away from moisture
- Store these stones separately
- A damp (clean water) cotton ball or cloth can provide moisture