Hmmm, no! Your jewelry will not get sick with Covid, but you could if you don’t keep it clean!

By now, we all are some sort of “expert” in the Covid-19 topic and most of us know that we have to wash our hands at least the same amount of times we check our Instagram account.  Also, the virus lasts longer on hard surfaces like glass, plastic and metals, than on fabrics or cardboard, and up to nine days on metals! Nine days!  That's much longer than my monthly diets!   So let’s talk about keeping “our favorite metals” shiny and healthy.

First, in order to be effective, hand sanitizer needs to have at least 62% alcohol content so you can start by leaving behind that cute tiny glittery sanitizer home – I’m going to miss that smell though! 

Second, the best way to keep your skin and rings clean is to wash your hands (not removing your rings) for at least 20 seconds.  That’s about the time that it takes for the soap to break down the walls of most germs and bacteria.   Personally, I’m not a big fan of taking off my rings and putting them on the side of the faucet, particularly in public bathrooms, because it’s not the most trusted environment and you can easily lose them / forget them.  If you do need to rinse off the excess soap, just be careful so they don’t go down the drain and force you to call a plumber in panic mode!

Another tip since sometimes the only option to keep your hands is alcohol based sanitizer; try to avoid doing so with your most porous stone rings such as coral, opals, or even emeralds -- and definitely don’t be pouring hand sanitizer on that pearl ring passed on by grandma!

The same principle applies with bracelets.  Now remember, I’m talking about everyday jewelry since the correct way to sneeze is on your arm or elbow, guess what happens to your bracelets or that awesome leather strap watch you love so much?   Yuck!  Therefore, and at least for now, opt for hand jewelry that you can clean often and that includes avoiding plated jewelry and fabric or leather pieces, since you can’t really wash the leather and plated jewelry and alcohol don’t go well hand to hand.  Don't worry, you can still wear your Lulu Hoops!

When you are home, if you think your jewelry was exposed to public areas, or surfaces, make sure you clean it, a minute or two on your Ultrasonic, or with soapy water and a gentle brush will do as well.  Don’t forget to dry them with a soft cloth.

There are gentle jewelry cleaning formulas for stones like pearls, emeralds, and opals, it works for Rodium and plated jewelry too.  We use commercial grade cleaners, but for personal use you can look for non-ammoniated or gentle jewelry cleaner formulas and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.  Amazon has several for under 20 bucks.

Lastly, at Oro By Lu we are preparing all of our fine jewelry with ultrasonic cleaner use after every jewelry showing or trunk show, and will request our clients to use hand sanitizer before trying on our pieces.   We make sure to wear a mask and gloves particularly when handling finished jewelry and we are taking all the necessary precautions so our orders are shipped safely and sanitized.  Encourage your jeweler to do the same and don’t be shy about rocking your jewelry again, just pamper it a bit more for now!

Feel free to send us your comments or suggestions about this blog or other topics related to jewelry or fashion that you would like us to talk about.

You clean your kitchen, your bathroom, your clothing, your desk at work, and maybe even your car. But how often do you clean your jewelry? When it comes to your favorite treasures, a little TLC can go a long way in extending the life and beauty of your jewels. Here are some easy tips for keeping your pieces sparkling:

- The simplest way to maintain your jewelry’s shine is to wipe it with your Oro by Lu cleaning cloth, or a soft, non-abrasive and lint-free cloth. Rub the jewelry gently in the cloth on all sides, holding the pieces so that no heavy pressure is used on clasps or closures. Do this every time your wear your Oro by Lu and it will help maintain a beautiful shine.

- For pieces that require a little more cleaning power, use a soft-bristled toothbrush (find one made for children), warm water, and a tiny dot of dish soap. Gently brush the jewelry in the soap solution, taking care to avoid any delicate gemstones such as pearls. For any jewelry that is gold-plated or contains delicate stones such as the Emerald Tennis Bracelet, skip the brush and simply allow the pieces to soak for 5 minutes before rinsing them in cool water and pat them dry. Remember to cover the sink drain so nothing can fall!

- Delicate jewelry requires special care. Pieces with pearls such as the Pearl Charm Pendant should always be the last item you put on before leaving the house, and the first thing you remove when returning home. Avoid exposing pearls and plated jewelry to lotions, makeup, nail polish remover, or perfume, which contain chemicals that will harm your jewelry.

- It’s best to remove your jewelry and put it in a safe place when you plan to shower, garden, cook, workout, or spend time in the pool. These are all activities that can expose your jewelry to conditions that cause damage, such as lost stones, weakened metal, loss of metal coatings, and broken jewelry.

- When in doubt, please contact us! We are always happy to answer any care questions about your special piece of Oro by Lu jewelry.