As with anything of value, especially sentimental value, taking good care of both your contemporary and vintage jewelry from Atlantic City Jewelry will enhance its beauty and extend its lifespan. Have your special jewelry checked and cleaned by us at least annually – a complimentary service to our clients (customers) — to ensure that each piece is in good wearable condition and that all gemstones are securely in place. It’s not uncommon for stones to come loose over time, and it’s much easier to tighten a loose stone than replace a lost one!
CLEANING YOUR ENGAGEMENT RING AND WEDDING BAND
These sparkling and important symbols in your life should never grow dull! Life is busy and it’s easy to forget about lotions, soaps, and all everyday grime. So, don’t forget to take a few minutes to clean these precious rings.
Most engagement rings and wedding bands can be easily cleaned right at home. Fill a small bowl with warm, soapy water and submerge your them for a couple of minutes. Using a small, soft brush, an old toothbrush works well, gently brush the stone(s) and setting. Be sure to pay attention to the back of the ring and any details in the setting that might be prone to collecting grime. Dip the ring in the soapy water to rinse, or rinse under a gentle stream of warm water — be sure that your sink’s stopper has a tight seal. Or, use our recommended jewelry cleaner according to the instructions on the label. Dry your rings with a soft cloth, such as a jewelry-cleaning cloth.
Remember, your engagement ring and wedding band from Atlantic City Jewelry are as special as the person who wears them —if you have any questions or concerns about cleaning your special rings, please don’t hesitate to contact us. And, you are always welcome to stop by our store and have that special jewelry professionally cleaned and checked.
CLEANING YOUR VINTAGE AND CONTEMPORARY JEWELRY
Giving your jewelry the spa treatment on a regular basis will keep it looking forever young, whether they are modern pieces or vintage finds! Most pieces suitable for everyday wear can easily be cleaned with warm, soapy water and a soft, small brush, and dried with a soft cloth. Or, use our recommended jewelry cleaner to keep your them sparkling.
Because rings grace your ever-busy hands, they require more frequent care. The kinds of things that may be great for you—exercise, gardening, cleaning, outdoor recreation, etc.—tend to have the opposite effect on your finger ornaments. Similarly, exposure to harsh chemicals, heat, or extended periods of submersion in water can be unhealthy especially for your vintage and also your contemporary rings. Water, especially cold water, can both loosen your rings and shrink the size of your fingers slightly, causing the rings to slip off. Safely removing your rings before exposure to water and other elements and removing them at night will greatly increase their lifetime!
Softer stones such as opal, coral, pearls, lapis, and others can be cleaned dry by simply wiping them gently with a jewelry-cleaning cloth. You can learn more about specific gemstones and their care, just ask us! Don’t forget, many of our oldest pieces should not be exposed to water—for example, closed back and foil-backed jewelry, popular in the Georgian Era. Many of the unusual materials found in vintage and antique jewelry require special care — always feel free to contact us, and we’ll be happy to advise you on your special piece. We’ve seen it all!
WATCH CARE AND WARRANTY
While not as strong and durable as modern timepieces, we like to think of our vintage timepieces as examples of fine jewelry art. We proudly service all of our vintage timepieces prior to sale and unless otherwise noted, the movement of each piece will be in working order when the watch leaves Atlantic City Jewelry. However, due to the delicate nature of these older timepieces, there is no further warranty on the movement or any other mechanical part.
Almost all of our vintage timepieces have mechanical movements which require daily winding to keep time for daily wear. Gently wind the crown in one direction until it comes to a natural stop, without forcing the movement — do not overwind. To set the time, gently pull the crown to free the hands, then set the time in a clockwise direction. If your watch includes further “complications,” as watch experts call them, we will advise you on its proper use at the time of sale.
Vintage and antique timepieces are not waterproof, nor are they water resistant like many contemporary timepieces. Keep your watch clean using a soft cloth and do not use a watch winder. Remember, like all mechanical objects of a certain age, these timepieces require professional cleaning periodically—we recommend every year or two. Vintage timepieces are less accurate than their modern counterparts — the contemporary quartz movement was invented in 1969. If you find your watch to be gaining or losing time in excess of a few minutes over 24 hours, please contact us for service. Your watch will usually tell you when it’s “time” for a check-up!