Culpepper Jewelers

Watch Maintenance

You’ve carefully selected a watch (or a number of watches) that suit your wardrobe as well as your personality. And that watch could last for decades…as long as you take proper care of it. Follow these basic tips for watch maintenance to keep your timepiece running smoothly for years to come.

Sizing

Before wearing your watch becomes habit, make sure the band is the right size. Leather bands already come with an adjustable buckle, but metallic watches may need to have links added or removed to fit you perfectly. Wearing a watch that’s too big for your wrist is not only annoying, the unnecessary movement of the timepiece on your wrist can cause damage to the face.

Cleaning

Jewelry can quickly become dull and dirty if you wear it every day, and watches are no exception. Make sure you follow these basic tips for cleaning care.

1.

If you can, remove the band from the watch face to prevent any moisture from permeating the inner mechanics of your watch. Even if your watch is water resistant, it may not withstand the pressure of a faucet. If your watch band cannot be removed, take extra precaution.

2.

If your watch band is metal, you can soak it for a few minutes in a mixture of warm water with a small amount of mild dish soap. Brush away any dirt and grime with a soft-bristled toothbrush. For leather bands, use a small amount of leather cleaner to wipe away any dirt or smudges. Water will cause your leather bands to stretch, so keep them as dry as possible.

3.

Use a jeweler’s cloth or other lint-free material to wipe any fingerprints or smudges from the watch face compartment.

4.

Reassemble your watch and wear it proudly!

Keeping Time

Quartz (battery-operated watches) will keep going steadily for decades as long as they are protected from magnets and physical blows. Change your batteries regularly, avoid hitting or dropping your watch, and keep it away from the magnets in electronics, appliances, purses, and jewelry.

Mechanical watches are a bit more delicate and require daily winding to keep the piece running perfectly. Wind your mechanical watch at the same time each day and only when it’s off your wrist. Winding your watch while wearing it can cause damage to the delicate inner workings of your machine.

Servicing

You wouldn’t drive your car for more than a few months without getting the oil changed, and watch maintenance is no different. All of the small gears and mechanisms inside your watch are vulnerable to wear and tear the longer they go without being cleaned and adjusted. Every few years (or whenever you see moisture inside the watch face), take your watch to a watchsmith to be serviced.

By making a habit of regular watch maintenance, you’ll be ensuring that your expensive timepieces hold up to daily use. Whether you’re looking to buy, repair, service, or resize a watch, Culpepper Jewelers would love to have the chance to offer you great service. Come see us for a repair estimate, or just to see what we have in the shop. We can’t wait to see you!

How To Clean Your Jewelry

After you’ve gotten the perfect piece of jewelry, you’ll want to keep up with regular cleaning to maintain your precious metals’ and gems’ luster, shine, and brilliance. Here are a few ways to keep your pieces looking their best without spending a lot of money or using harsh chemicals.

Gold, Silver, Platinum, and Tungsten Steel

For most pieces of jewelry, the best method is actually the most simple. Just soak your jewelry for about 10 minutes in warm water mixed with a bit of mild dish soap. Brush away the dirt and grime with a soft-bristled toothbrush in all the little crevices and then rinse thoroughly in clean, warm water (rinse well to prevent soap scum from dulling the finish). Buff dry with a soft cloth (like a microfiber cloth or an old T-shirt) or let air dry. Just remember that silver and gold can scratch fairly easily, so don’t rub them with any abrasive products, like toothpaste, baking soda, or rough scrub brushes.

De-Tarnish Silver

To de-tarnish your silver, stick with a professional silver polish specifically made for sterling silver. Cleaning “tricks” that involve baking soda, tin foil, ketchup, or other chemicals can actually cause scratches or pits to develop in the metal. You might not notice them right away, but over time, your jewelry will become damaged. Regular cleaning, however, should prevent your jewelry from getting tarnished in the first place.

Diamonds & Gems

Each gemstone is different, and thus they each have different properties and must be cared for in a different way. Ask your jeweler about any specific stones you have before cleaning, but a mixture of dish soap and water should be safe for most stones. Harder stones such as diamonds and sapphires are okay to let soak in water (they will not absorb any water), but other gems are not so impervious. When it doubt, skip the soak and clean them with a damp cloth or toothbrush.

Pearls & Opals

Pearls and opals are both soft stones and require more gentle methods. Stay away from toothpaste, ammonia, baking soda, vinegar, or anything too acidic or abrasive, as they can scratch or damage your pearls. Warm water with a bit of dish soap will get the job done, but do not let your pearls or opals soak in water. (This can damage your stone as well as cause the string in a pearl necklace to stretch and weaken.) Instead, rub each stone individually with a cloth that has been dipped in the dish soap mixture and let air dry.

Amber

When cleaning amber jewelry, don’t treat your amber too roughly or use anything abrasive, as amber is a soft stone and can crack, chip, or scratch. In fact, keeping your amber clean begins by storing it where other pieces won’t be able to scratch them and putting on your amber jewelry after you have applied hairspray and perfume.

When it comes time to clean your amber pieces, simply wiping your gems with a soft, damp cloth should remove any residue. If you feel that you need a bit more “shine,” simply rub a dime-sized amount of olive oil in your hands and then rub the amber stones to impart some of the shine back into the gems. Rub the excess oil off with a soft microfiber or cotton cloth and enjoy your rejuvenated jewelry!

Prevention Is Best

Keep your jewelry pieces cleaner, longer, by removing them before you swim, bathe, apply lotion, etc. Chlorine can discolor your jewelry, while soap scum and lotion residue can leave a grimy film. (This is why you have to rinse well when cleaning!) A few good habits and a regular cleaning schedule will make sure your favorite pieces stay beautiful for a lifetime.

10 Staple Jewelry Pieces For Your Wardrobe

Having these 10 staple jewelry pieces in your collection will guarantee that you’re ready for any occasion.

1. Stud Earrings

A simple pair of studs goes a long way towards dressing up even the most casual of outfits. Diamonds and pearls are a classic choice, but you can choose whatever materials or shapes you prefer. You can even save yourself some money by wearing cubic zirconia for everyday wear and saving the real gems for special occasions.

2. Gold or Silver Chain

A simple metal chain—of any length, material, or size—is an simple and versatile way to accessorize for any event. Whether you adorn a simple chain with a pendant or mix a few chains of varying weights, any outfit can be improved with a gold or silver chain. No matter your style preferences, there’s plenty of options: long or short, small or large, and everything in between.

3. Statement Ring

Whether you have an engagement/wedding ring or not, a chunky cocktail ring is a fun way to make a statement. Precious stones and metals are not necessary, however, for an item you only plan to wear some of the time. Onyx, turquoise, amber, marcasite, or a jewel-less sterling silver ring are all beautiful choices that make an impact without breaking the bank.

4. Classic Watch

Watches come in a variety of styles, from the waterproof, outdoor model to the elegant timepiece that slips into a jacket pocket. Find a versatile watch that will coordinate with a variety of outfits and occasions. Metal watches are the most classic, but leather bands or ribbons may be more your style. If you wear a watch every day, it’s best to have a variety of watches that will fit any occasion.

5. Hoop Earrings

In addition to a pair of studs, a simple set of hoop earrings are an essential piece for any jewelry collection. You have many options when it comes to size, style, and color, so pick a set that works well with your wardrobe and your personality.

6. Stylish Bracelet

From cuffs to bangles to stacks of chains, there is a style of bracelet for every taste (and budget). When choosing a bracelet for your collection, make sure that it’s proportional to your body frame and won’t get in the way while you work, shop, or eat. Many bracelets nowadays slip on and off easily, so look for this type if you have trouble with bracelet clasps.

7. Statement Necklace

Certain occasions call for a little something “extra” in your accessories. For weddings, formal nights on a cruise, nights out, and other formal events, a necklace with “wow”-factor is a perfect change from your everyday jewelry. Consider the metals and stones that best complement your skin tone as well as what colors and shapes would coordinate with your favorite formal attire.

8. Fun Cocktail Earrings

A pair of sparkly, dangly earrings can make any outfit seem more festive. You can go simple or ornate, colorful or monochrome, affordable or expensive, the choice is up to you. Purchase a selection of earrings in a variety of styles to round out your collection and prepare you for any occasion.

9. Long Necklace

A long necklace (or stack of necklaces) is a classic look that harkens back to the flappers of the 1920s. Long necklaces make it easy to dress up a plain white T-shirt: just slip on the necklace, add a cardigan or blazer, and you’re good to go.

10. Signature Piece

Finally, make sure you have at least one piece in your jewelry box that is your go-to, signature item. It can be a pendant of something you collect or love, a bracelet with your children’s birthstones, or your grandmother’s old antique brooch. Whatever it is, and wherever you find it, make sure it’s something that you absolutely love.