It is of paramount importance that you take good care of your jewelry and protect it from harmful substances and abrasives.  Each jewelry type has to be cared for differently.   A word of caution - Ultrasonic cleaners are great for cleaning some jewelry but they can damage many gemstones and the chemicals are not recommended for pearls and many other fine stones. Repeated use can also loosen the settings and you could lose your precious gems.  When caring for your jewelry, never use anything but 100% cotton as a polishing cloth since paper and coarse fabrics often contain wood fibers or synthetics. These materials can cause fine scratches in the metal of your jewelry, especially on sterling silver.  By properly taking care of your jewelry, it can have enduring beauty and durability for a lifetime.  It can be passed from one generation to the next caring with it great sentimental value. 

Below are important care tips for the following jewelry types: (1) pearls (2) turquoise (3) coral (4) agate (5) and (6) coral.

Pearl Jewelry: You should not allow your pearl jewelry to come in contact with vinegar, ammonia, chorine bleach, ink, hairspray, perfumes, toilet water and cosmetic. You should always put your pearls on after putting on hair spray, perfumes and cosmetics.  These substances will spot or dissolve the pearl’s surface.  You should always store your pearls in a separate pouch to prevent scratching the pearl’s surface on sharp metal edges or against hard gemstones.  You should gently wipe your pearls with a hot damp towel before putting them away to remove body oils and perspiration. These substances are especially damaging to a pearl’s color.  Pearls should be stored in a pouch with a soft lining such as the satin pouches imported from China. Jewelry cleaners are not recommended for cleaning pearls. You should wash your pearls periodically with a hot cloth in warm sudsy water using a mild soap (not a detergent).  You can also use a soft brush around the knots to be sure they get clean. After washing, rinse them in clear water and then wrap them in a thin, clean damp cotton towel to dry. When the towel is dry, the pearls are dry. You should not store pearls in real dry area because they may crack. If you place your pearls in a hot environment or in a safety deposit box, you should leave a damp towel nearby. Pearls need moisture. You should restring your pearls once a year if worn often. Each pearl must be knotted separately, preferably with silk, so they do not rub together and wear on the pearl’ outer surface (nacre).   If the pearls are very small, knots between each pearl may be undesirable.

Turquoise Jewelry:  Turquoise jewelry should be removed before engaging in manual work.  Turquoise is softer than many stones and scratches easily. Thus, it should be stored separately from other jewelry. Ideally, you should store your turquoise jewelry in a soft satin pouch.  Care must be taken to avoid turquoise from coming in contact with soap, grease and other substances that may discolor it.

Coral jewelry:  Coral jewelry can be cleaned by gently wiping it with a moist soft cloth.  Coral jewelry consists largely of calcium carbonate and you must be careful to avoid it from coming in contact with acids, including table vinegar. Because some coral jewelry is spiny, it should be stored separately from your other jewelry. 

Jade Jewelry:  Jade jewelry can be cleaned by gently wiping it with a clean damp cloth. Avoid contact with harsh chemicals and abrasives.

Agate Jewelry:  Agate jewelry can be cleaned gently by wiping it with a clean soft damp cloth.  Avoid contact with chemical and abrasives.