JEWELRY GUIDE
I have a commitment to the quality of the jewelry I produce, and provide my clients with the necessary support for their maintenance and upkeep.
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In addition to providing information about proper care for the maintenance and upkeep of your jewelry, it will be my pleasure to give you advice and suggest professionals who can assist you in jewelry upkeep or repair.
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In order to preserve your jewelry's guarantee, it is important that all maintenance be performed personally by me or by my referrals.
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To maintain our partnership and facilitate the maintenance of your jewelry, I offer you one free* annual cleaning. Read more about this: SIMPLE OR PROFESSIONAL CLEANING
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THE JEWELER
DESIGNER, ARTISAN & GOLDSMITH
"The best part for me is seeing people using something that connects with their own story"
THE PIECES
EVERY PIECE HAS A STORY TO TELL
To know more about them, explore our shop or browse our bespoke section for custom jewelry.
WHERE TO FIND
PRIVATE EXHIBITIONS AND THE BEST RETAILERS IN THE US
Schedule a tour at the atelier, go to one of our retailers, or fill the form and get the invitations to the private exhibitions.
JEWELRY GENERAL CARE
- Do not drop your jewelry, or let it fall from any height;
- Do not leave jewelry exposed to direct sun or extreme heat;
- Use only the original push backs (in case of earrings);
- Do not force push backs, it may damage the pin;
- Do not allow chemicals (chlorine, acetone, perfume, alcohol, or other chemical products) to come in contact with your jewelry;
- Wear your jewelry 15 minutes after applying perfume;
- Jewelry should be stored separately in its original packaging. If you have a jewelry box, separate them with velvet, flannel, or another soft material;
- Pay attention to the proper orientation of each material used: pearls, diamonds, and others;
- Do not sleep with, nor bathe with, your jewelry;
NECKLACES
All chains (gold and silver) used in jewelry are tested to confirm their structural integrity. Regarding jewelry, these chains are delicate to maintain beauty and aesthetic standards. Special care is therefore necessary to avoid dents, bends, or breaks:
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- Do not sleep with your chain;
- Do not drag chain against any surface;
- Do not place heavy objects on your chain;
* Dents, bends, and breaks in the chains are considered ill-use and are not covered by the product's guarantee.
SYNTHETIC AND NATURAL STRINGS
NATURAL STRINGS*
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Natural strings used in jewelry are made up of organic materials: leather, cotton, linen, piassava, etc. Just like all organic material, they are subject to wear over time, which can be accelerated by contact to water, direct sunlight, excessive heat, and chemicals.
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Estes fios deverão ser substituídos eventualmente mas, seguindo os cuidados abaixo, você pode aumentar o seu tempo de vida útil:
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These strings should be replaced eventually, though this time can be extended by observing the instructions below:
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- Do not get your jewelry wet or let it come in contact with any chemicals;
- After use, store your jewelry in its original packaging in a cool and ventilated place;
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SYNTHETIC STRINGS*
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Synthetic strings used in jewelry are made up of processed materials: nylon, polyester, silicone, rubber, etc. Even though these materials possess a higher resiliance and lifespan when copared to natural materials, they should also be replaced eventually depending on the type of material utilized.
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Besides that, care is required to prevent physical or chemical damage to the material, which can render it unstable or broken. Proper upkeep and maintenance instructions are below:
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- Do not get your jewelry wet, or let it come in contact with any chemical;
- Do not leave jewelry exposed to direct sunlight or excessive heat;
- After use, store your jewelry in its original packaging in a cool and ventilated place;
* Breaking or physical alterations (bends, dents, discolorations, etc.) of natural or synthetic strings are considered ill-use and are not covered in the product's guarantee.
SIMPLE OR PROFESSIONAL CLEANING?
All jewelry I produce is composed of 18k gold, 950 silver, bronze, precious gemstones, and natural materials.
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In case your jewel has no alternative material which requires special care (such as natural leather, cloth, wood, shells, etc) or delicate finishings (such as oxidation, enamel, etc), clean your jewel with clean and dry flannel cloth. In case results are unsatisfactory, get in touch with me through the existing channels included in your jewel guarantee, or schedule an appointment at my Show Room and bring your jewel for a professional estimate.
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An online appointment is also possible, in which case get in touch with me via email (carolpoubeljoias@gmai.com), providing details of your request with pictures of the item and, if necessary, sending me the piece that I may perform the necessary maintenance. Every piece comes with one free* maintenance per year.
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For jewels with diamonds, pearls, or other organic gems, follow the instructions below:
* This annual free maintenance includes cleaning services, polishing, and an inspection of bezels that keep gems in place. In case it is deemed necessary to perform some repair or exchange of worn material, the client will be notified with a cost estimate which must be approved in order for the maintenance to be performed. In case the client decides not to approve the estimate, the jewel's guarantee may be waived. The cost of shipping is the client's responsibility.
HOW TO CARE FOR SILVER (Ag) JEWELRY
Jewels that possess silver are composed completely of the best silver content on the market. It is referred to as 950 silver, meaning it contains 95% pure silver and 5% pure copper.
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Clean your jewel with a clean, dry flannel cloth. In case the results are unsatisfactory, bring your jewelry to one of our stores for a professional evaluation.
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OXIDATION*
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When silver and copper, metals present in most gold alloys, come in contact with oxygen, a chemical process called oxidation occurs, which can affect the coloration of the piece of jewelry. This discoloration does not affect the quality of the jewel, and is merely a natural and superficial alteration. It can vary in degree based on several factors, including environmental proximity to sea air, the wearer's skin pH, or the way it is stored.
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Some of our pieces possess dark silver surfaces, which is a finish referred to as oxidized silver. This is done in order to provide you with a high-quality product with a variety of different finishes. This finish (like gold plating, matte finish, etc) will see natural wear and slowly dissipate with use. Special care must therefore be observed in order to maintain the finish for as long as possible:
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- Do not drop your jewelry, or let it fall from any height;
- Do not leave jewelry exposed to direct sun or extreme heat;
- Do not allow chemicals (chlorine, acetone, perfume, alcohol, or other chemical products) to come in contact with your jewelry;
- Wear your jewelry 15 minutes after applying perfume;
- Jewelry should be stored separately in its original packaging. If you have a jewelry box, separate them with velvet, flannel, or another soft material;
- Pay attention to the proper orientation of each material used: pearls, diamonds, and others;
* This oxidation in particular reacts strongly with chemical products, specifically chlorine and alcohol. The wear of oxidation is considered ill use and is not covered by the product's guarantee.
PROPER CARE FOR JEWELRY WITH DIAMONDS
A diamond's beauty is measured by its brilliance, transparency, and in the "fire" of its reflected colors: properties which will be kept for longer if the proper cleaning and maintenance instructions are observed.
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We recommend cleaning your diamond after every use, brushing it lightly with a soft brush, warm water and soap. In addition, even though they are known for their toughness, it is important to protect your diamond from impact as well as preventing contact with other diamonds to prevent damage, scratches, and to prevent the gem from damaging other less-durable gems. Therefore it is important to store them separately from other jewelry.
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If you're interested in finding out more about the toughness of gemstones, please email us asking for the toughness table, as it will be a pleasure to keep you informed.
PROPER CARE FOR JEWELRY WITH PEARLS AND OTHER ORGANIC GEMSTONES
Organic gemstones are composed of perishable materials that wear with time; therefore, every piece of jewelry with pearls or organic gemstones have a shelf life.
To care for pearls or other organic materials (such as amber, coral, ivory, shells, etc), pieces which deserve special care to preserve their beauty for longer, it is necessary to observe instructions additional to the ones listed above.
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Organic materials possess microporous surfaces which easily absorb any substance that comes in contact with it, therefore do not wear them to the pool, the beach, or in the bath. They should also avoid contact with creams, cosmetic material, makeup, detergents, paints, perfumes, acids, or other chemicals, and particularly those that contain dyes.
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After each use, use a clean and dry flannel cloth to wipe clean it clean in order to maintain its brilliance and remove any leftover sweat or oily skin residuals. If it is necessary, wash it under running water and neutral soap using a small brush with soft bristles. Using these precautions, your organic material can be worn throughout the seasons!
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JEWELRY WITH STRINGED GEMSTONES OR PEARLS
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Jewelry with stringed gemstones and pearls are at risk for increased natural wear with time, which therefore should be replaced and reattached.
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These pieces should be reattached* once a year and, in case of frequent use, every six (6) months. This will prevent you from losing your gemstones due to the jewelry's string breaking due to excessive wear.
* Reattachment is not included in the free annual jewelry maintenance.
PROPER CARE FOR JEWELRY WITH MINERAL GEMS
When your jewelry is made only with metal, without any type of gem or or alternative material coupled in, everything is easier. Natural oxidation can be easily removed and jewelry care is minimal.
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Therefore, pieces that possess any type of mineral gemstone should be cared for with greater attention. Many gems contain natural inclusions, micro-fissures and porous surfaces. These are aspects that are not always visible to the naked eye and may become stained if they come in contact with water or chemical agents.
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Another concept that should be considered is storage. Never store your jewelry with colored gemstones in direct sunlight, as some precious gemstones are sensitive to ultra-violet light, heat, and thermal shocks, and can easily be damaged.
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Remember, just because you have jewelry does not make them immune to the passage of time. Everything we buy requires minimum standards of care in order for them to continue serving us for a long time.
GOLD AND ITS COLORS
Gold is a malleable metal and, in order to make your jewelry more durable, a formula was established using alloys from different metals, which combine physical and chemical properties that improve the qualities of the alloy against physical forces, and add new colorations.
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As a natural element, pure gold is yellow and referred to as 24k (100% pure) gold. Along with copper, which is red, these are the only colored metals in nature. Everything else, like silver, palladium, or platinum, are grayish-white.
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All my pieces are made with a special alloy developed by me, which is also certified, and the gold alloy usesd by me in my jewelry is 18k gold, we also call it 750 gold (because it has 75% of pure gold). Even when the gold is yellow, the shades can vary, from paler to more brilliant. Every jeweler has their recipe, what's important is that the gold alloy contains 75% pure gold, whatever else is added is what will influence the physical and chemical characteristics of the metal, including its color.
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GOLD AND RHODIUM PLATING
Rhodium is a precious metal from the platinum family. It is used to give a white coloration, mainly to piece with white gold.
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Therefore it is important that you know there is no truly white gold alloy. This happens because gold is naturally yellow, and when combined with white metals like platinum, the final result will be yellow.
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This way, rhodium plating is used to confer the silver/white color of white gold. In order for gold to become brilliant silver, rhodium plating is used.
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With time and regular use, the plating will wear away, exposing the yellow surface of the gold below. When this happens, it is necessary to bring the jewelry to a store and apply a new coat.
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There is no regular upkeep necessary to repair the rhodium plating of jewelry. It should be done only when yellow stains begin showing. Consider this if you choose a white gold wedding band.
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It is common to find market jewelry made of platinum, or silver with rhodium plating. With platinum, rhodium accents the brilliance. With silver, which is a soft metal and scratches easily, the plating augments its resistance to scratches.