Product Care

Caring For Your Joie de Vivre Jewellery

Joie de Vivre jewellery is extremely well crafted and if cared for properly can be enjoyed for generations.  Air pollutants, dust, perspiration, perfumes and other natural elements can dull the appearance of gemstones or precious metals.  Because of this, it is always good practice to wipe down your jewellery with a cotton cloth after wear.

Additionally, jewellery should be professionally cleaned and inspected once a year.  Just like a fine automobile, periodic inspection and maintenance of jewellery helps prevent costly repairs or replacements.  Personally inspect your jewellery as you wear it by looking for loose or chipped stones, worn links, bent prongs, or malfunctioning clasps.

How to Clean your Joie de Vivre Jewellery

Over time, air pollutants, dust, perspiration, perfumes and other natural elements can make jewellery and gemstones appear dull. Below are some tips for keeping your pieces clean and shiny.
How to Avoid Damaging Gemstones
Some gemstones are by nature more fragile than others. In general, you can prevent many problems by not exposing gemstones to common elements such as:

• Chlorine
• Household cleaning chemicals
• Extreme heat or light
• Salt water

All gemstones, including diamonds, can chip, scratch, or abrade under the right circumstances. Avoid wearing rings or bracelets while doing any manual labour, including housework. Jewellery should be taken off before strenuous activity or during times when it might be subjected to sharp blows or excessive friction.

For most gemstones, it is best to clean them using dishwashing soap with water.  However, due to the fragile nature of rubies and emeralds, they should only be cleaned with a dry cotton cloth – diluted dishwashing soap should not be used.

Never remove rings by pulling on the stone; the prongs or bezel can be damaged causing the stone to loosen or fall out.

When not in use, always store your Joie de Vivre jewellery in the box you received when purchased.  Store each piece of gemstone jewellery separately in its storage box to prevent excessive tarnishing and scratching.

Cleaning Silver Jewellery

Sterling silver tarnishes in the presence of common everyday items that contain sulphur, such as leather, rubber, chlorine, and perspiration. Other elements to be mindful of are air pollutants and salt water. Because these substances cannot be completely avoided, it is recommended that sterling silver be routinely wiped down with silver polishing cloth. Regular wear of your Joie de Vivre sterling silver can also help prevent tarnishing—we recommend that you enjoy and wear your Joie de Vivre jewellery every day. When not in use, store your jewellery in the box you received when purchased.

Use a clean, cotton cloth and mild dish detergent diluted in water.  Apply the diluted dish detergent to the clean cotton cloth and rub the piece in one direction.  Try to avoid circular motions.

To remove heavier tarnish, wash your silver jewellery with warm water and mild soap. Never use anything but a clean, nub-free cotton or flannel cloth. We do not recommend silver polish or dip style cleaning solutions, which will remove the antique oxidation that we intentionally apply to some Joie de Vivre silver pieces to give them their distinctive look. If more thorough cleaning is required, an authorized jeweller can clean your pieces to restore them to a like-new condition. We recommend having your jewellery professionally cleaned once a year.

Cleaning Gold and Platinum Jewellery

To clean gold or platinum jewelry, dilute dish detergent in a small bowl of warm water and soak each piece for a 3-5 mins.  Gently clean your item by using a clean cotton cloth.  To ensure you removed all the diluted dish soap, rinse your jewelry under warm running water, and pat dry with a soft, lint-free cloth.  Be sure to dry your jewelry completely before wearing again.

Joie de Vivre advises against using an ultrasonic cleaner, steamer or other “at home” jewelry cleaning chemicals (including bleach, ammonia, baking soda and aluminum foil) on gemstones. They should only be cleaned with diluted mild dish soap and warm water (see above for clean instructions).

Cleaning Jewelry with Crystalline Gemstones

Crystalline gemstones, such as amethyst, blue topaz, citrine, or peridot attract oils and lotions causing them to appear dull. To clean, soak them in a bowl of water with a touch of gentle dish soap. A soft baby’s toothbrush may be used to scrub around and behind the stone. After cleaning, place your jewelry in a strainer and rinse before thoroughly drying with a lint-free cloth.

For diamonds, rubies, and sapphires set in gold or platinum, you can use a drop of ammonia in the rinse water. However, ammonia discolors organic gemstones and damages and dulls silver, so do not use it on these materials.

Cleaning Jewelry with Organic and Opaque Gemstones

Never use an ultrasonic cleaner or chemicals (including bleach or ammonia) on organic gems and opaque stones such as pearls, opals, coral, turquoise, and lapis lazuli. They should only be wiped clean with a damp cloth. In addition, avoid contact with hairspray, lotions, and perfumes, which can be absorbed over time, causing discoloration.

Cleaning Pearls

Pearls require proper care to retain their beauty and luster. They should be kept away from perfumes, cosmetics, perspiration, chlorine, vinegar, ammonia, and dirt. We recommend you put them on last, after hair products and perfume. Pearls should be removed before exercising to protect them from perspiration. After wearing, gently wipe them with a slightly damp cloth.

Wash pearls periodically with mild soap (not detergent) and a soft cloth. Rinse pearls in clean water and wrap them in a thin, damp cotton towel to dry.

To prevent scratches, pearls should be stored away from other objects in the storage pouch provided. However, do not store them in an airtight package such as a plastic bag. Opals and pearls require humidity. When storing them, make sure the environment is not too dry or they may crack.

Joie de Vivre advises against using an ultrasonic cleaner, steamer or other “at home” jewelry cleaning chemicals (including bleach, ammonia, baking soda and aluminum foil) on gemstones. They should only be cleaned with diluted mild dish soap and warm water (see above for clean instructions).

The leather and materials used to craft your Joie de Vivre merchandise are natural products sourced from the finest tanneries and fabric mills in the world. Slight imperfections and color variations may occasionally appear, enhancing the beauty and uniqueness of your piece.

External elements such as excessive heat or moisture can affect the overall look of your accessory. Following proper care and storage guidelines will ensure the longevity of this exceptional product. When not in use, store your item in the protective dust bag provided.

Calf And Grain Leather

Leather has inherent slight variations and imperfections, which are normal and add to the beauty of each piece. The grain leather is treated naturally, so color and texture may change over time, darkening and softening to create an elegant patina. If scuffs or bruises occur, rub the affected area with a soft, dry white cloth.

Patent Leather

To avoid color transfer, do not rest patent accessories against one another. If leather becomes dirty, clean with a damp white cloth and a small amount of mild soap. For stains, oil-based spots and spills, follow the instructions below.

Canvas

If necessary, spot-clean with a damp white cloth and a small amount of mild soap. As with any cotton product, if canvas is repeatedly exposed to direct sunlight, a softening of color may occur. For stains, oil-based spots and spills, follow the instructions below.

Caring For Calf, Grain And Patent Leathers And Canvas

Always test any cleaning method in a hidden area first. Never use saddle soap, oils, hairdryers, abrasive cleaners, furniture polish, varnish or ammonia.

For Stains

Use a mild solution of soap and water (ten parts water to one part soap). Apply gently with a wet white cloth and then fully rinse. Let air dry.

For Oil-Based Spots

Blot oil spots with a clean, dry white cloth. The spot should dissipate into the leather shortly. Do not apply water to the marks.

For Other Spots And Spills

Immediately remove the spill or spot with a clean, absorbent white cloth or sponge. If stain persists, use plain lukewarm water to carefully clean the spot. Blot with a clean towel, then air dry.

Suede

The rawness of suede makes it a unique but delicate material.

If stain or color transfers occur, use a soft brush to gently rub the affected area. Remove dry stains and marks from suede by gently rubbing a clean pencil eraser on the affected area. For wet stains, lay a paper towel on top of stain to absorb most of the liquid. Do not apply any kind of stain remover or other products.

Haircalf

This is a delicate material. Please be aware that over time, balding may occur in high impact areas. It is difficult to prevent this as it is entirely dependent on the individual animal skin. Try to protect from exposure to direct sunlight, sharp objects and excessive heat. To ensure longevity, be gentle with your haircalf item and store it in the protective dust bag provided when not in use.

Care should be exercised when cleaning haircalf. Use a damp white cloth and wipe with the hair, and not against the natural lay of the hair. For best results, avoid vigorous rubbing and do not use saddle soap or other leather cleaners.