To preserve the brilliance of your jewelry, it is recommended to regularly clean your jewelry pieces. Special care must be given to each type of gemstones based on their individual properties. By taking a few precautions for care, storage and maintenance, the jewelry will be kept in perfect condition for a long time.

Wearing your fine jewelry

SEVK Jewelry pieces are created using precious gemstones and metals selected for their quality, therefore it is recommended to avoid wearing your jewelry in the following situation to protect them from potential damage:

• When washing your hands, in order to prevent soap deposits to tarnishes your piece of jewelry

• When doing activities requiring the use of corrosive products (e.g. gardening, cleaning, dishwashing, etc.) in order to avoid damaging the metal and precious stones.

• When practicing sports, in order to avoid direct impacts and scratches.

• Expose jewelry to strong heat: temperature changes can damage precious stones

• Putting on perfume and make-up while wearing your jewelry: the chemical ingredients of cosmetics are harmful to certain stones.

Storing your fine jewelry

Pieces of jewelry can easily be scratched by one another. It is strongly recommended to store each piece of jewelry individually in the case or travel pouch. Be sure to always close the chain clasp to prevent the knots from forming.

Checking your fine jewelry

Simple actions allow you to check the condition of your piece of jewelry.

Before wearing it:

• Check that closing systems work perfectly.

• Check that stones are secure. To do so, delicately pass your finger over the stones or bring it close to your ear and shake for any moving sounds.

If there is any doubt, it is recommended you drop off your piece of jewelry to be examined by our jewelry experts.

PRECIOUS METAL CARE

Gold Jewelry

Whether you have white gold, rose gold, or yellow gold jewelry, cleaning procedures are the same for all three types. Standard commercial gold polishes will quickly and safely clean gold jewelry when applied with a soft chamois cloth. If your gold jewelry has begun to tarnish, you can remove the tarnish by making a lukewarm water and dish soap mixture with just a few drops of ammonia. Simply soak the jewelry in this mixture for a short time and gently rub the jewelry with a lint free cloth. If the tarnish is more aggressive, an ultrasonic cleaning machine can also be used to good effect if available at home or in our showroom. However, these types of cleaning machines should be used sparingly if your gold jewelry has precious stones, as they can loosen the gemstones, pearls and other decorative items embedded in the gold. For plain gold items soiled with grease, a quick dip into a glass containing rubbing alcohol can undo the damage.

For heavier damages, polishing and rhodium plating can restore white gold to a like-new condition, removing and signs of wear and tear.

Platinum Jewelry

Platinum is one of the easiest fine metals to care for. Due to its strength, it is virtually immune to tarnish from discoloration. However, it is not immune to scratching. If you do scratch your platinum piece, please bring it in to our showroom for a re-polish.

Sterling Silver

Silver tends to tarnish, so always store your sterling silver jewelry in tarnish preventative bags and in a cool, dry place. Clean your sterling silver using mild soap and warm water and drying with a soft lint‐free cloth. Silver tarnishes, so store your sterling silver engagement ring in tarnish‐preventive bags in a cool, dry place. Tarnish can be removed by using a silver cloth.

PRECIOUS STONE CARE

Diamonds

A diamond can only be scratched by another diamond, but it can easily scratch every other metal or stone with which it comes into contact. In order to avoid scratching, it is recommended not to wear multiple pieces of jewelry on the same finger or wrist. Despite its hardness, the diamond is likely to break in the event of a strong impact. For simple fast cleaning, clean your diamond with warm water and a soft brush before drying it with a soft cloth. However, the best cleaning solution for diamonds is ammonia or mild dish detergent with water. The ratio of the solution is a quarter cup of ammonia to one cup of lukewarm water. Let the diamond jewelry to soak in a mixed solution for 20-30 minutes. Gently brush the jewelry with a soft brush to clean any dirt. Avoid hard brushing to keep the diamond from displacing it from its setting. Rinse off the solution and dry it with soft cloth. Ultrasonic cleaning is also possible at home with necessary equipment.

Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire

Since these stones are particularly sensitive to temperature changes, avoid exposing your jewelry to thermal shocks or extreme heat sources. Emerald, rubies and sapphires are delicate stone and requires particular care available only in our showroom. Clean your precious stones with warm water and a soft brush before drying it with a soft cloth.

GEMSTONE JEWELRY CARE

Despite the wide range of colored gemstones, there are some basic rules that apply to the majority of gemstone jewelry items.

These stones are all sensitive to thermal changes, cosmetics, detergents and cigarette store. By penetrating the stones, these products may change their color.

Colored stones must not suffer any intense thermal shocks nor be exposed to dry heat, hot water or any hot temperatures which would risk dehydrating the stones.

Avoid any scratches or direct impacts that might damage the colored stones.

Clean your colored stones with warm water and a soft brush before drying it with a soft cloth. As for detergents, mild dish soap is generally safe in cooler water for most gemstone pieces and most pieces of jewelry in general.

PEARL JEWELRY CARE

When cared for properly, pearls can last a lifetime. The best way to care for pearls is to wear them often as the body's natural oils keep pearls lustrous. However, it's important to keep them away from household chemicals including perfume, makeup and hairspray. Chemicals found in these common products can dull the luster of your pearls. It is recommended that you put your pearls on last when getting ready and make them the first thing you take off. Before putting your pearls away, wipe them with a soft cloth and store them separate from other jewelry to avoid scratching their tender surfaces.

Pearl Maintenance

Even with best care, the small parts of jewelry can become loose. Before wearing, carefully check such parts as the prongs that support the jewels, the clasps of necklaces, the screws of earrings, the strand on the necklace or bracelet. If the string stretches or loosens, it may break suddenly. Even if you don't wear your pearls often, we recommend that you have your pearls restrung every year.