Regular jewelry maintenance is crucial for longevity. Jewelry can accumulate dirt, grime, food, oils, germs, fibers, and hair. We recommend having your jewelry professionally checked and cleaned a few times a year. We offer this service free of charge. Here is an easy break down of this process:
1. Check Our Hours: Before heading over, take a quick look at our website, our Maps Listing, or our social media @dejonghe_jewelry to confirm our open hours. We're typically open Tuesday through Saturday from 10am to 5pm, with extended hours until 7pm on Thursdays. Seasonal hours may vary. No appointment is needed for jewelry inspections and cleanings, but if you have a specific project or repair in mind, feel free to schedule an appointment online here.
2. Select Your Jewelry: Gather the jewelry you wear regularly. It doesn’t matter if it was purchased at deJonghe Jewelry - we inspect and clean most jewelry at no cost*.
*There may be a fee depending on the level of cleaning and polishing needed. This will be communicated with you before the cleaning is completed.
3. Pack Your Jewelry: Transport your jewelry safely in a travel jewelry box or zip-lock bags. Avoid wrapping jewelry in tissues.
4. Arrival: We're located at 470 Broadway. Convenient 15-minute and 2-hour parking spots are available nearby for your visit. Upon arrival, let us know you're here for a jewelry check and cleaning.
5. Jewelry Inspection: Using a handheld jewelry loupe, we carefully inspect each piece. We evaluate its overall condition, check gemstones, settings, and metal type. This process for a piece or two can take few minutes depending on various factors. For more pieces, it can take longer.
During this inspection, we might identify areas needing attention, most commonly:
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- Deep cleaning recommendation: It might need to soak for at least 30 minutes. Our clients will often run to grab a coffee or another errand during this soak.
- Broken gemstones: If we see a broken gemstone or diamond (yes diamonds break!) we’ll show you under magnification. Most of the time you are fine to continue wearing it.
- Loose stones or setting issues that might require tightening or repair: Sometimes we can quickly fix a loose stone. On occasion you might be at risk of losing the gemstone –its then imperative to have the setting repaired before continuing to wear the jewelry.
- Missing gemstones: Sometimes we inspect a piece of jewelry and find a gemstone missing! Usually tiny diamonds. At this point we can quote to replace the stone either then or at a future date.
6. Cleaning Process: Once inspected, we’re ready to clean and we’ll bring your jewelry back to the workshop. The cleaning can take as short as a few minutes to much longer, depending on the number of pieces and their condition. Different types of jewelry and gemstones may require a different cleaning process.
Most cleaning involves:
First a light polishing at our buffing wheel to remove fine scratches. This process uses a high-speed rotary motor with an attached wheel with polishing compound.
Then, ultrasonic cleaning. This process involves an ultrasonic machine that agitates a cleaning fluid to break up small particles of dirt and grease. We also may alternate brushing, soaking and rinsing based on the level needed.
Finally, steam cleaning: We use an industrial steam cleaner with both high-pressure and high temperature steam. It effectively removes dirt and oils from jewelry, reaching into the tiny crevices. However, it's not suitable for certain gemstones.
7. Final Inspection: Your jewelry is then brought out sparkling and shining like new! We conduct a final loupe inspection before handing it back for you to enjoy.
8. Leave us a review! Now that you had a successful jewelry cleaning be sure to leave us a review!
How often should you clean your jewelry?
We recommend twice a year, but more frequent visits might be necessary if:
- You wear an heirloom or antique piece of jewelry frequently. It should be checked multiple times a year.
- You have an active lifestyle or are rough on your jewelry, exposing it to more wear and tear. We often see jewelry damage from activities like sports, gardening, workouts, and certain occupations.
- If you are aware of a stone or setting issue.
- Your jewelry features softer gemstones such as opal or emerald.
Additional Tips
- Pearls and Beaded Necklaces: Check for stretching - if gaps appear between pearls or knots that indicates the need for restringing.
- At-Home Care: We have recommendations and can discuss them during your visit.
At deJonghe Original Jewelry, we're committed to maintaining the quality and beauty of your jewelry for years to come. Our skilled craftsmen and knowledgeable staff ensure that each piece receives the attention it deserves. Visit us today for a thorough cleaning and inspection and let us help you keep your jewelry looking its best.
