How to care for pearls and precious stones
Pearls can be easily damaged from contact with chemicals, lotions, or other stones, such as diamonds or gemstones, that have rough edges. And even though diamonds are the hardest natural substance around, they can still be lost or damaged. Below are a few ways you can protect your pearls and other precious stones, so that you can enjoy them for years to come.
Pearls
Isolate them
Instead of throwing your pearl earrings or ring into a dish with your other jewelry or watches at the end of the day, protect them by storing them separately in pouches made of natural breathing fibers, such as silk or cotton.
Keep them away from lotions, perfumes, or other chemicals
Pearls are vulnerable to damage from chlorine bleach as well as other everyday chemicals found in lotions, perfumes, oils and hairspray. Therefore, always apply hairspray and perfume before putting on pearls and jewelry. Avoid applying too much lotion on the back of your neck if you’re wearing a pearl necklace. And after each wearing, wipe off your pearls with a soft and clean cloth.
Restring them every 2-3 years
To prevent pearl necklace strings from becoming stretched, weakened or soiled, replace them every two to three years. This will prevent breakage and potentially lost or damaged pearls.
Diamonds and precious stones
Check clasps and prongs regularly
The majority of jewelry claims involve “mysterious disappearance” of diamonds and other stones, such as when a stone falls out of its setting without you knowing it. To avoid this, ask your jeweler to check the integrity of the clasps and prongs frequently – at least every six months (or more often if you wear the piece a lot).
Use the shake test
Between visits to the jeweler, you can test the prongs on your jewelry yourself. Simply take off your jewelry, hold the stone up to your ear and shake it. If it is loose, you will hear it moving and should get it repaired.
This document is advisory in nature and is offered as a resource to be used together with your professional insurance advisors in maintaining a loss prevention program. It is an overview only and is not intended as a substitute for consultation with your insurance broker, or for legal, engineering or other professional advice.
Chubb is the marketing name used to refer to subsidiaries of Chubb Limited providing insurance and related services. For a list of these subsidiaries, please visit our website at chubb.com. Insurance provided by ACE American Insurance Company and its U.S. based Chubb underwriting company affiliates. All products may not be available in all states. This communication contains product summaries only. Coverage is subject to the language of the policies as actually issued. Surplus lines insurance sold only through licensed surplus lines producers. Chubb, 202 Hall's Mill Road, Whitehouse Station, NJ 08889-1600.
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