Care and maintenance
Jewellery Care Instructions
Jewellery from O’Dwyer is designed and manufactured to last for generations. We hope your happiness and memories of your jewelry will be shared with your family. Your grandchildren may remember how you smile tenderly as you look at your wedding ring, how you touch it for happiness and strength. This makes your jewellery valuable to them. With basic care and maintenance, your jewellery will always look its best and they will be on their way to becoming an heirloom.
A little thought goes a long way
Jewellery can be damaged or scratched when it comes into contact with one another or if it is not stored properly. Your O’Dwyer jewellery will be delivered to you in a single box or bag.
We recommend that you keep your jewellery in it to reduce scratches and prevent tangles and damage. We also recommend that you keep your jewellery dry with low humidity, as hot, humid conditions can dull metal and some stones over time. Beyond that, jewellery should be wiped with a soft cloth when worn. This is to remove make-up, oils and general dirt.
Cleaning in the home
Jewellery will always look best with a little care and a little cleaning in the home. Regular cleaning will make your diamonds and gems sparkle and shine. We recommend lining a small bowl with a soft cloth to prevent damage to the jewellery during cleaning and to prevent loss of small pieces that might otherwise disappear.
Recommendations for your jewellery care
O’Dwyer jewellery is made to an exceptionally high standard, but all jewellery meets wear and tear in everyday life and through use. This is even more true for the jewellery you wear every day. Below are some general recommendations for your jewellery care.
Please do not wear your jewellery when gardening, when you wash, work, clean or do manual work. This helps to avoid unnecessary wear and strong chemicals can damage your jewellery.
We recommend that you take off your jewellery when you are swimming or if you are on the beach. Neither gold (nor any other metal) can withstand salt or chlorinated water particularly well.
Be careful about your jewellery. Diamonds are one of the hardest stones in the world, but they can still be damaged if they get hit with enough force at the wrong angle. Many other gemstones such as tourmaline, tanzanite, emerald, amethyst, peridot, opal and pearls are delicate and can be easily scratched. If you accidentally hit your diamond or pull your gemstone on a rough surface, check it for damage and it still sits securely in its frame. You are of course welcome to contact us for advice.
We recommend this simple rule for jewellery – “last on, first off”. Then you avoid your jewelry being affected by perfumes, deodorants, hairspray, solvents and body lotions. Check your jewellery every time you wear it or weekly for the jewelry you wear daily. Make sure there is no damage to the stones, that the frames are secure and that they cannot get stuck in fabrics or clothing.
Some gemstones, such as emeralds, may need extra care, these dry out and may need oiling every few years. Please contact us for more information. White gold jewelry is often electroplated with a white precious metal called rhodium. This gives the jewellery extra luster but it can diminish through daily wear. The plating can be renewed in our workshop if you wish. Please contact us for more information.
A little thought goes a long way
We recommend that you keep your jewellery in it to reduce scratches and prevent tangles and damage. We also recommend that you keep your jewellery dry with low humidity, as hot, humid conditions can dull metal and some stones over time. Beyond that, jewellery should be wiped with a soft cloth when worn. This is to remove make-up, oils and general dirt.
You are always welcome to visit us with your jewellery so that we can make a quick check of the gems and its settings in your jewellery.
Recommendations for your jewellery care
Jewellery will always look best with a little care and a little cleaning in the home. Regular cleaning will make your diamonds and gems sparkle and shine. We recommend lining a small bowl with a soft cloth to prevent damage to the jewellery during cleaning and to prevent loss of small pieces that might otherwise disappear. For gemstones such as diamonds, sapphires, rubies and amethysts you can use some detergent and warm water. Soak your jewelry for five to ten minutes to soften dirt that may have built up. With the help of a soft toothbrush and some detergent, you can then gently brush the jewellery, especially around and behind precious stones. Rinse well in lukewarm water to remove any soap residue. You can dip your jewellery into medical alcohol afterwards to make sure all the leftovers disappear. Emeralds, on the other hand, are a softer gemstone, so you need to be a little more careful during cleaning. It is possible to use the above method, but do not dip or rinse your jewellery in alcohol to avoid any possible damage.
One tip is that gems sparkle best when they are clean behind the frame.
Pearls or other porous stones can be damaged by water and cleaning fluids. The best way to take care of these stones is to wipe them off with a soft cloth such as leather. Pearls benefit from wearing them. Oils from your skin will naturally help maintain their luster.
We recommend that you bring your jewellery to us if you want professional ultrasonic cleaning.
We are always ready to answer any questions you may have, and remember that we offer a free annual ultrasonic cleaning and inspection of all jewellery from O’Dwyer.
Every piece tells a story!