Jewelry Care

Apply perfume, lotion, and cosmetics before putting on your jewelry. Fine metals and gemstones are porous enough to pick up residues that dull their surface over time.

Remove rings before washing your hands with harsh soap, cleaning with chemicals, or swimming in chlorinated or salt water. A brief exposure is fine; repeated contact is what causes damage.

For most pieces: a few drops of mild dish soap in warm (not hot) water, a soft-bristle brush for any set stones, rinse thoroughly, and dry with a lint-free cloth.

Avoid ultrasonic and steam cleaners on emeralds, opals, pearls, turquoise, and any stone with inclusions or treatments — vibration or heat can cause fractures.

Store each piece separately to prevent scratches. A soft-lined box with individual compartments, or small pouches, works beautifully.

Keep jewelry away from direct sunlight, extreme temperatures, and humidity. Silver tarnishes faster when exposed to air — an anti-tarnish strip in the box slows it down significantly.

Diamonds, sapphires, and rubies are hard and resilient; warm soapy water restores their sparkle. Pearls are delicate — wipe gently with a damp cloth and never submerge.

Opals and emeralds should never be soaked. Colored gemstones can fade with prolonged UV exposure; remove them before tanning, gardening, or spending long hours in direct sun.

Bring pieces in for inspection once a year. We check prongs, clasps, and stone settings, then polish and rhodium-plate where needed — the first annual service is complimentary on every CBVH purchase.

For any chip, loose stone, or broken clasp, please bring the piece in rather than attempt repair. Home fixes almost always compromise the structural integrity of fine jewelry.