Caring for heirloom jewellery is essential to preserving its beauty and sentimental value for generations. Here's how you can ensure your treasured pieces remain in excellent condition.

1. Home  Cleaning

Gentle Cleaning Methods — Use a soft, lint-free cloth to clean jewelry after each wear. For deeper cleaning, mix warm water with Morning fresh dishwashing detergent and three squats of windex, leave overnight. Next day gently clean with a soft toothbrush and rinse.  

Avoid Harsh Chemicals — Never use bleach, ammonia, or abrasive cleaners, as they can damage metals and gemstones.

2. Professional Cleaning

Periodically take your heirloom jewellery into Morgan Co Jewellery Buderim  for a professional  ultrasonic or steam cleaning, especially for intricate designs or settings.

3.  Safe Storage

Separate Compartments — Store each piece in its own fabric-lined compartment, pouch or Morgan Co ring box to prevent scratches.

Avoid Humidity — Use anti-tarnish strips or a silica gel packet in storage to absorb moisture and reduce tarnish.

Secure Lockets and Clasps — Ensure all clasps, hinges, and prongs are secure before storing and never place more than one chain in a pouch to prevent tangles.

4. Regular Maintenance

Inspect Settings — Check prongs, clasps, and settings for signs of wear or looseness. Loose stones should be addressed immediately by Morgan Co Jewellery Buderim.

4. Limit Exposure

Avoid Chemicals — Remove jewellery before using cosmetics, perfumes, hairspray, or cleaning products.

Minimise Physical Strain — Don’t wear delicate pieces during rigorous activities like gardening, exercising, or swimming, as this can cause damage.

5. Document Its History

Create a Record — Keep a written or digital record of the jewelry’s history, including who owned it, special occasions associated with it, and any appraisals or certifications.

Appraise and Insure — Morgan Co Jewellery Buderim can facilitate an independent evaluation with a registered gemologist.  We recommend Q report jewellery Insurance to ensure your jewellery. 

At Morgan Co Jewellery, Buderim, we are experts on heirloom and pre-loved jewellery. Constant monitoring of the condition of heirloom jewellery is essential for preserving its integrity. Here’s how you can stay proactive in identifying and addressing potential damage.

Tips on Addressing Potential Damage 

Inspect Regularly

— Gemstone Settings: Check for loose  stones. Gently wiggle them with a toothpick to ensure they’re secure.

— Prongs and Bezels: Examine for bent, worn, or broken prongs that might fail to hold stones in place.

Act Early

— Don’t Wait for a Break: Address minor issues, like slightly loose stones or thinning metal, as soon as you notice them. Early intervention can prevent more extensive and costly repairs.

— Schedule Maintenance: Make regular visits to Morgan Co Jewellery Buderim for professional inspections, especially for pieces you wear often.

Recognise Wear and Tear

— Metal Fatigue: Older metals can become brittle over time, especially in settings or clasps that experience frequent stress.

— Fine Details: Intricate engraving or filigree might show signs of wear. Morgan Co jewellery can often restore these delicate features.

Trust the Experts

Morgan Co Jewellery: We are  experienced in heirloom and antique pieces and know how to  inspect and repair such pieces. We  understand the nuances of older craftsmanship and materials, especially old cut diamonds.

Preventive Reinforcements: Morgan Co Jewellery, Buderim are experts in re-tipping and  reinforcing prongs. 

Prong replacement and re-tipping 

The most common repair and replacement we see when our clients present us with their treasured heirloom rings are the claws/prongs that hold the precious stones in the setting. 

Morgan & Co Jewellery, Buderim, are experts in prong replacement and re-tipping. Here's everything you need to know about these techniques and their importance:

What Are Prongs and Why Are They Vital?

Prongs, also known as claws, are the tiny metal arms that secure gemstones in their settings. They protect the stone from falling out and cushion it against damage. Over time, prongs can wear down, bend, or break due to daily wear, compromising the security of your jewellery.

Claw Re-tipping vs. Claw Replacement

Both techniques serve to reinforce or restore the prongs/claws, but they differ in scope and application:

Prong/claw Re-tipping

Re-tipping involves adding a small amount of new metal to the worn tips of existing prongs. The purpose is to strengthen slightly worn prongs and restore their grip on the gemstone.

Best For — Minor wear, especially when the prong base and structure are still intact.

What is the process of re-tipping my ring?

Our master  jeweller applies a metal alloy (like gold or platinum) to rebuild the tip.

The tip is shaped to fit snugly over the gemstone.

Benefit: It's a less invasive and cost-effective way to extend the life of your jewellery.

Prong/claw Replacement

Replacement involves removing and remaking an entire prong.
The purpose is  necessary when the prong is too worn or damaged to repair.
This technique is perfect for severely worn, broken, or bent prongs that compromise the security of the stone.

Process — The damaged prong is carefully removed. A new prong is crafted from a matching metal and soldered into place. The prong is shaped and polished for a seamless appearance.

Benefit: Ensures long-term stability and safety for your gemstones.

What happens to the gem stones when re-tipping or replacement is needed?

Preserving the integrity of gemstones during prong replacement or re-tipping is critical to maintaining the value and beauty of your jewellery. Here’s a closer look at the considerations and precautions that skilled jewellers employ to ensure the gemstone’s radiance remains intact.

Gemstone Sensitivity

Each gemstone has unique properties, such as hardness, heat resistance, and susceptibility to chemicals. These factors dictate how the stone should be handled during repairs:

Heat-Sensitive Gems — Stones like opals, pearls, turquoise, and emeralds can crack, discolour, or lose their lustre under high temperatures.

Durable Gems — Diamonds, sapphires, and rubies are more heat-resistant but still require careful handling to avoid surface damage or inclusions.

Fragile Gems — Stones with cleavage planes, such as tanzanite and topaz, can fracture under pressure or mishandling.

Techniques to Protect Gemstones

Our Master Jeweller uses specialised methods to safeguard your gemstones during prong work:

Heat Protection

Heat Shields — We often use insulating materials, such as jeweler’s clay or heat-resistant gels, to shield the stone from heat during soldering.

Laser Soldering — For heat-sensitive pieces, we may use lasers instead of traditional torches. This method focuses heat precisely on the metal without affecting the gemstone.

Physical Protection

Protective Covers — Delicate gemstones may be covered with tape or a thin layer of wax for added safety.

Gentle Clamping — Jewels are securely held in place using padded clamps or soft grips to prevent scratching or pressure damage.

Cool Techniques — Stones may be removed temporarily if the repair poses a high risk, especially for heirloom pieces with sentimental or monetary value.

Cleaning Before and After Repairs

Proper cleaning is essential both before and after the repair:

Pre-Repair Cleaning — Removing dirt and oils ensures better visibility and precision during the repair process.

Post-Repair Cleaning — After the repair, our Master jeweller will carefully polish the piece, using non-abrasive methods suited to the gemstone's properties.

 Regular Inspections Post-Repair

Once the repair is complete, a final inspection ensures that:

— The gemstone remains securely set.
— There is no residue or tarnish from the repair process.
— The brilliance and structure of the stone are intact.

By respecting the delicate nature of gemstones and employing advanced repair techniques, Morgan & Co  not only will restore your jewellery’s functionality but also protect the brilliance that makes it truly timeless. 

Feel free to book your free consultation with me to discuss the integrity of your precious heirloom jewellery. 

With Love,
Laura xo