Jewelry Cleaning and Repairs

Jewelry Cleaning 101

Over the past 30 years I’ve designed and produced thousands and thousands of pieces.  Many times my customers would bring in pieces from their collections and ask me to clean it for them.  I’m often surprised that people never clean their jewelry.  I understand that some of it is from fear of damaging the piece or the materials it is composed of.  My mentality is this…you wash your clothes…why don’t you wash your jewelry?  Most of the jewelry you are wearing is always touching your skin which is probably coated with a fresh layer of lotion, foundation, or makeup of some sort…and perfume.  And let’s not forget to mention the natural oils your skin produces every day.  And if you are living and breathing in humid/hot New Orleans like me, then you are also sweating.  Oh let’s not forget all the dead skin that’s coagulating with our lotion, makeup, perfume, sweat coated  necks…grossed out yet?  Remember, I’m the one who is cleaning all of this special coating off of that jewelry.  But there is a way for this never to happen and it only takes 60 seconds. 

For regular cleaning of oils from jewelry: The best homemade jewelry cleaning solution is a mixture of a few drops of original blue Dawn dish detergent in warm, not hot, water. Let the piece sit in the solution for a few minutes, longer if it's very dirty, then gently scrub with a soft toothbrush. Rinse well with warm running water and pat dry using a soft terry towel.  Don’t let your jewelry air dry as it may leave water marks on the metal’s surface due to the waters acidity and added chemicals.  

To break down thick buildup: use a wet soft toothbrush dipped in baking soda.  Use on metal and hard stones only. Avoid soft stones like pearls, turquoise, coral and opals.

For tarnish removing, here is my recommendation.

Click to order. Hagerty Silver Cleaner

Note: Do not wash or soak your silk knotted pearl strands in any solution.  The cording is made of silk and will stretch when wet.  If your silk cording has become discolored, my advice is to bring it to your local jeweler and ask to have them re-strung.

Watch this video to see how to clean your jewelry:  Hagerty Silver Clean  https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=4&v=wHWOoQsZZ-g

 Repairs

If repair of your Dominque Giordano Jewelry is needed, please deliver to:

 Dominique Giordano c/o Hyme Tyme

800 Metairie Road, Suite U

Metairie, LA 70005

504-833-7069