Learn How to Properly Care for Our Jewelry

At Kathleen Lynagh Designs, each piece of jewelry is crafted with meticulous attention to detail and designed to last. Knowing how to care for your jewelry is essential to preserving its beauty and ensuring it remains as stunning as the day you first wore it. By following a few simple guidelines, you can maintain the brilliance, integrity, and longevity of your cherished pieces, allowing them to shine for years to come.

Close-up of the Greta Garbo replica pendant

Proper care is essential to ensure that your jewelry remains beautiful and lasts for years to come. Follow these tips to keep your jewelry looking great:

  1. Avoid wearing your jewelry while applying cosmetics, perfumes, or hair spray. These chemicals can damage the finish of your jewelry.

  2. Remove your jewelry before showering, bathing, swimming, doing housework, or gardening. After wearing, wipe your jewelry with a clean, soft cloth and store it in a cool, dry place. Avoid storing jewelry in the bathroom, as humidity can affect the finish.

  3. To clean silver jewelry, mix a few drops of mild dish soap into warm water to create suds. Let your jewelry soak in the solution for about five minutes, but do not do this if your jewelry has stones or pearls. Use a soft toothbrush to gently scrub away tarnish from any crevices. Rinse each piece in a bowl of clean, warm water, and dry it with a soft cloth. To remove stubborn tarnish, you can use a store-bought silver polish like Hagerty Silversmiths' Wash. Always follow the instructions on the bottle.

  4. Never soak your gems, pearls, or oxidized designs as it can change the finish. Do not use any liquid dip cleaner or ultrasonic on our designs, as it may damage the jewelry.

  5. Pearl or gemstone necklaces and bracelets that are strung on silk should not be exposed to water. The silk may stretch. Have your necklace or bracelet restrung once a year by a professional jeweler.

  6. Investing in a silver polishing cloth can help keep your pieces bright and shiny. Follow the instructions on the package. Remember, proper care and storage can keep your jewelry looking beautiful for years to come.

  7. Gemstones and pearls are delicate and require extra care when it comes to cleaning and maintenance. Necklaces and bracelets that are strung on silk, such as those with pearls or gemstones, should not be exposed to water as it can cause the silk to stretch and weaken over time. It's important to have your silk-strung jewelry restrung at least once a year by a professional jeweler to ensure the silk is still strong enough to hold the weight of the gems or pearls. This will help to prevent any damage or loss of stones and ensure that your jewelry lasts for years to come.