About my Jewelry
Garnet and Rose Quartz Necklace
Since my Mother died in 2004 and left me the remains of her own jewelry obsession, I sought to understand her more, by exploring the gemstones themselves and the creations that she made and left behind. I have since caught the bug and have to say I share that same addiciton she had for the stones, not to surprising since as they say the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, LOL. Gemstones emenate an energy that soon takes over you own. I have alway had an appreication for the healing and soothing qualities the stones help bring about in the body and the mind.
Since I had opened my own store Alora Designs in Owen Sound early in 2005, I have continuing to create and sell many gemstone jewelry designs. Sadly I did have to close my store early in 2008, but have since worked to develope my work and offer it online through my own site aloradesigns.ca which displays much of my older work. This year I have discovered a lovely format to showcase my work so now all new pieces are being marketed through aloradesigns.etsy.com.
Most of my work is done with genuine semi precious gemstones with sterling silver accents, freshwater pearls and crystals.
Alora Designs Sterling Silver Necklace
The Care and Cleaning of Your Jewelry
Cleaning Jewelry
The simplest and safest way to clean any kind of jewelry whether it is metal jewelry with set in stones or beaded jewelry, is to wash it with warm sudsy water. Prepare a small bowl of sudsy water, using any mild liquid detergent and ammonia. Soak the piece a few minutes, and then brush it gently with an eyebrow brush or soft toothbrush while holding it under running water. Make sure the drain is closed. Some people prefer to place jewelry in wire strainer before holding it under running water. When the piece is clean and sparkling, pat it dry with a soft lint-free cloth or paper towel. This method is just as effective or even more so than commercial jewelry cleaner dips, but safer for delicate stones.
Amber Jewelry -Dust and perspiration can be removed with clean, lukewarm (never hot!) water and a soft flannel cloth. The amber can be dried and rubbed with clear olive oil, then rubbed with a soft cloth to remove excess oil and restore the polish.
Freshwater Pearls- Wipe your pearls with a soft, lint-free cloth as soon as you take them off. The cloth can be dampened with water or it can be dry. If damp, allow the pearls to air dry before putting them away.
Silver Jewelry- Polishing cloths have been treated so they contain jewelry polish in their fabric. They can be used to polish both jewelry that is created out of plain metal, or contain gemstones. Buff the piece lightly to restore it’s original luster and to remove tarnish Avoid rubbing the cloth on soft or porous stones like lapis, malachite, coral, bone, pearls, amber and opal.
General Care
Keep it out of the Kitchen: Always avoid wearing your jewelry when cooking, cleaning and doing any strenuous work. The extreme heat variances in the kitchen can damage delicate stones, especially amber and pearls. Many of the cleaners that are often used in the kitchen will also ruin the finish on soft stones, pearls and abalone shell . Fats and oils can also damage finishes. Bacterial can also become trapped in the little crevices of delicate metal work on rings. So simple, take your jewelry off if you are going to be working with your hands.
Keep it out of the Bathroom: Wait to but your necklaces, earrings and rings on in the morning after you have used any hair products, perfumes or creams as all of these will create sticky buildup on your jewelry as well as potentially damaging the finish of delicate stones, pearls and amber.
Storage
All jewelry should be stored in a jewelry case that allows for pieces to lay flat away from other stones. Over crowding can cause excessive rubbing and scratching of more delicate stones and pearls.
Stone and Silver jewelry can be stored in individual plastic baggies as this will eliminate tarnishing which is caused by exposure to the air.
Beaded jewelry should lie flat as hanging will stretch the piece over time and create stress which will cause earlier breakage. Fresh Pearls are often strung on thread and need to be restrung after time.
Pearls like to breath, so don’t store them in plastic bags, but wrapped in a soft cloth or a velvet bag.