GENERAL JEWELRY CARE

Examine fine jewelry with gemstone settings regularly to make sure none of the prongs have loosened. Also inspect clasps to ensure they are secure and work properly.

Take care of your gold and silver jewelry by making sure it is never exposed to household cleaners or any other abrasive or corrosive substances. This will ensure the precious metal does not dull or discolor.

Also take care not to expose your sterling silver jewelry to salty air or water as this causes tarnishing.


For storage, we recommend keeping the box your jewelry came in so it may be stored without knocking or rubbing against other jewelry. This prevents scratching and tarnishing. It also prevents gemstones from knocking andchipping other gemstones. Some birthstones and gemstones like pearls, peridot and amethyst,
are more fragile than others and can chip or scratch if knocked against hard surfaces or other jewelry pieces.



JEWELRY CLEANING

Professional jewelry cleaning is recommended yearly for precious gemstones and gold jewelry,depending on wear.Between cleanings, fine jewelry cleaning can be accomplished by using a basic,non-abrasive cleaner. A popular and effective cleaner for diamond jewelry is 6-parts water to one part ammonia, applied with a soft bristle brush.Never use toothpaste or other abrasives to clean precious metal or gemstones.

Pearls, coral, turquoise and quartz can be cleaned by simply wiping with a damp, soft cloth.Do not clean these stones in an ultrasonic cleaner.

To remove tarnishing from silver jewelry, you can wipe with a 100 percent cotton cloth and/or clean with a nonabrasive silver polish, depending on how aggressive the tarnish is.Do not clean sterling silver or gold jewelry with toothpaste and a toothbrush.

These are soft metals that easily scratch.


A mild soap and water solution used with a soft brush is effective for most home jewelry care. Although soap and water is the best choice for most gems and jewelry, do not use soap and water with amber, coral, emerald, jade, kunzite,lapis lazuli, opal or turquoise.


EVERYDAY WEAR

Apply any cosmetics and perfume and let dry before you put on your fine jewelry. Some cosmetic chemicals can damage your gemstone, pearl or gold jewelry. Be especially careful to remove rings and bracelets before working with any products that contain bleach, alcohol, turpentine, acetone or ammonia.


REPAIRS & PROFESSIONAL CLEANING

If, in the future, your jewelry piece is in need of repair or thorough professional cleaning, please contact us.We are happy to assist our customers in maintaining the beauty of their purchases from us. Many repairs and cleaning needs can be performed as a complimentary service by our jewelry artisans.
Please contact us for more information.



STONES

All stones, from diamond to mother of pearl, are selected for their high quality, lustrous color and unique attributes.They come from all corners of the world, and are selected by our multi-generational gemstone and jewelry purveyors
and suppliers.


Diamonds are conflict-free, exquisite gemstones, primarily originating from the Israel diamond exchange.Other natural stones and gemstones are imported from the leading regions for those stones and are indicated where applicable in the product listing.

None of our stones are lab-created. All stones are natural. Only very simple enhancements have been performed on some of the stones to bring out their natural color and beauty. The most common enhancement is simple
polishing or the use of a colorless coating to enhance the color and/or shine of the stone. Very few of our stones have been dyed, and none have been dyed to mask the quality of the natural stone. Gemstones that have been
dyed are indicated in the product description.


Please see below on more detailed jewelry care instructions.


CORAL

Coral is calcified “skeletons” or shells of sea creatures that frequently grows in branch formations.Most of the coral used in fine jewelry is from the Mediterranean Sea or the south seas of the Pacific Ocean Coral comes in a variety of colors, mainly pink to dark red, white or spotted, and orange. Other colors like violet,
brown and black do exist naturally, but are rarely used to make coral jewelry. Sometimes it takes centuries for coral to grow to a substantial size, and because of ocean conditions, some coral is now on the endangered species list. Obviously, the endangered coral is not used for jewelry production, but it is a testament to
how this most beautiful and rare of nature’s creations should be treasured for its unique characteristics.


Coral is very fragile and should be stored such that it is protected from scratches and sharp blows.Drastic changes in temperature also pose a risk to damaging coral jewelry. Do not use an ultrasonic cleaner for coral jewelry.



DIAMONDS

A popular and effective cleaner for diamond jewelry is 6-parts water to one part ammonia, applied with a soft bristle brush. Never use toothpaste or other abrasives to clean precious metal or gemstones. Gently scrub away any residue
or dirt, especially around the prongs or setting where build-up is common. Even a clean-looking diamond may have a layer of skin oil and will shine better after a cleaning. Avoid touching the diamond as much as possible to prevent that oil from building up.


Diamonds are the hardest gemstone in the world, but they can be scratched by other diamonds, and they can scratch other softer gemstones. Be sure to store your diamond jewelry so it does not touch or rub other fine jewelry.


GEMSTONES

Simply soak the gemstone jewelry in a bowl of warm, soapy water for a few minutes then use a soft,non-metallic brush to remove any residue. If you use a jewelry cleanser, make sure it is non-abrasive.

Don’t use harsh chemical cleaners, and don’t clean the item in the sink. Also keep in mind that some gemstones may have been treated or enhanced by heating, oiling, irradiation or diffusion. Heated and irradiated stones generally don’t require special care when cleaning, but diffused stones could become lighter if scrubbed too aggressively.



GOLD & SILVER JEWELRY

Use a polishing cloth or a lint-free cloth to remove tarnish from gold and silver jewelry. You can also use a smooth,soft 100 percent cotton cloth. Always use 100% percent cotton since paper, polyester and other fabrics often contain wood fibers or synthetics, which can easily produce fine scratches.

We recommend you gently wipe each piece of jewelry to remove any residual make-up and skin oils after each wearing. To remove fingerprints, oils or dirt, add a small amount of mild liquid soap to a half cup of warm water, soak for 2-3 minutes, rinse thoroughly with clean water and dry completely. Silver jewelry can be stored in a plastic bag to prevent damage.

To remove excessive tarnish on silver, polish with a 100 percent cotton cloth and a non-abrasive metal cleaner.

Be sure to remove any cleaner from the gemstones and rinse carefully with clean water.



PEARLS

Pearl jewelry should always be stored flat to prevent the string/strand from stretching, especially pearl strands that are strung on silk. Pearls are very delicate and need to be stored separate from other jewelry to prevent
them from chipping and scratching. Freshwater pearls are sensitive to extreme humidity or dryness, and acids.

Again, we recommend that perfume and cosmetics always be applied prior to putting on pearl jewelry.


Most jewelry cleaners are too harsh for freshwater pearls. Wash pearls in very mild, soapy water and nothing else, but take care to avoid getting any water into the drilled holes, as it can cause the pearls to discolor. To keep them clean, they should be wiped with a dry, lint-free cloth before being stored.
To dry, lay them flat on a soft, absorbent towel.


Freshwater pearls should be stored in a dry environment. Do not store pearl jewelry in plastic bags as moisture can become trapped and cause damage.


QUARTZ, TURQUOISE & OTHER NATURAL STONES

Be very careful when soaking any stones such as, amber, lapis lazuli, turquoise, opal or turquoise.

Extended soaking in any solution may harm the polish or any treatment on the stone. These stones should not be cleaned in an ultrasonic cleaner.



GEM HARDNESS

The harder the gem, the less vulnerable it is to damage. Diamonds are the hardest gemstones on Earth.

Hardness is determined by a jewelry-trade standard called the Mohs Scale. Diamonds are given the highest rating at 10. Rubies and sapphires are the next highest at 9. Emeralds and topaz are rated an 8.

Garnets, tourmalines and quartz are a 7. Anything softer than a 7 is quite vulnerable to damage and includes opal, turquoise, lapis lazuli, coral and pearls.

 

 

Indian / Pakistani Embroidery -
TYPES OF EMBROIDERY by libasgallery.com

Embroidery has traditionally enhanced a dress. A look at the various types of threadwork…


As far as the world of design is concerned, embroidery is the backbone of India and Pakistan.

It has left an indelible imprint even on international fashion like Escada, Lingara and Ferra have their ensembles embroidered in India. Do we know enough about our own embroideries and how to use them efficiently? The thoughtful use of embroidery can enhance an ensemble, and take it from the mundane to the extraordinary. Some Indian embroideries that can do wonders for an outfit are:


Aabla Mirror work which has its roots in Rajasthan and Kutch.
Aari Embroidery done on a cot. Also known as khatla work aari originated in Barabanki.
Badla Flat metallic wire, silver or gilt wire embroidery.
Butas and Butis Motifs composed of floral forms fitted into paisley shapes derived from the
Mughal era.
Lari Fine quality gold thread embroidery found in Bareilly , Benaras ( Varanasi ),
Lucknow and Agra. These days silver zari is equally popular.
Phool Patti Work Applique work from Aligarh where usually organdi or other fabric cutouts in floral
and leaf motifs are affixed on to a plain fabric sometimes in tandem with
silver tilla embroidery.
Chikan Work Originating from Lucknow this involves a technique of finding separated
warp and weft threads for a textural effect.
Taipchi Darn stitch on muslin.
Khatwa Inverted satin stitch on muslin.
Murri or Phanda Satin stitch knots.
Jaali Network.
Phulkari Flower motifs, geometric patterns, surface satin stitching using silk floss threads.
Phulkari has its origin in Punjab.
Zardosi Leaf-scroll worked in gold and silver thread on silk, satin, velvet and other
rich fabrics. Zardosi is also combined with Dabka work and is originally from
Lucknow.
Mokaish Silver dots strewn all over is Mokaish work.
Kashida Mix of textile embroidery and printing.

 

Fabric Care Tips by Libasgallery.com

Acetate Dry clean only.
Acrylic Machine wash warm using warm water, softener may be added during the
final rinse cycle. Machine dry using low temperature, remove; promptly when done.
Cotton Machine wash warm, tumble dry low. Use cool iron.
Metallic Cotton Machine wash warm, delicate cycle, tumble dry low, cool iron may be used.
Fleece Machine wash warm and remove quickly to avoid matting. Hang to dry; do not use dryer.
Linen Dry clean is recommended and retains the original crisp finish to the fabric.
Hand wash in mild soap no chlorine bleach dry by laying flat on clean non-colored
towel. Note: Hand washing softens the feel of the linen which is sometimes preferred.
Lyocell Lyocell garments may be either machine washable and dryable or drycleanable.
Read the label. Washable lyocell has the strength and ease of care of other
easy-care fabrics. Machine wash and dry at low temperature. Remove from
dryer as soon as the garment is dry. If ironing is required, use a moderately warm iron.
Lycra Hand or machine wash in lukewarm water. Never use chlorine bleach onany
fabric containing Lycra. Either drip dry or machine dry using low temperature settings.
Lycra Velvet Hand or machine wash in lukewarm water. Never use chlorine bleach on any fabric
containing Lycra. Either drip dry or machine dry using low temperature settings.
Microfibers Acrylic,nylon and polyester microfibers are machine washable, machine dryable or
drycleanable Follow the instructions for washing fabrics consisting of these individual fibers.
Nylon Most items made from nylon can be machined washed and tumbled dried at low
temperatures. Use warm water and add a fabric softener to the final rinse cycle.
To minimize static electricity use a dyer sheet when machine drying. Remove
articles from the dyer as soon as the tumbling cycle is completed. If ironing is required,
use a warm iron.
Polyester Use warm water add fabric softener to final rinse, machine dry low and
remove promptly from dryer. If ironing is needed use a moderate warm setting.
All polyesters can be dry cleaned.
Polyolefin Most items can be washed or dry-cleaned. Most stains can be readily be removed
by wiping, using lukewarm water and detergent. If fabric is machine washed,
it should be line dried or tumbled dried with gentle or no heat. Do not iron.
Rayon Dry cleaning is recommended. Although hand wash in lukewarm water is okay.
No chlorine bleach allowed. Lay flat on a clean non-colored towel to dry.
Silk Dry cleaning is preferred. Hand washing is possible if mild soap and lukewarm
water is used. Laying flat on a clean non-colored towel to dry.
Spandex Hand or machine wash in lukewarm water. Never use chlorine bleach on any fabric
containing Lycra. Either drip dry or machine dry using low temperature settings.
Suede Recommendation is dry cleaning. Although Machine wash gentle cycle is allowed.
Triacetate Pleated garments are best hand laundered. Most other garments containing 100%
triacetate can be machine washed. If ironing is needed, a high temperature setting
may be used. Articles containing triacetate require little care due mainly to the
fiber`s resistance to high temperature.
Woodblocks As with all hand-printed fabrics, we suggest you do the following: prewash by
hand with mild detergent and rinse until water runs clear. Dry flat. Additional color
transfer from dark to lights may occur when sewn and washed together.
We suggest you take this into account when designing your projects. We hope you
enjoy the results when you use this ancient fabric handicraft.
WoolSuiting Recommendation is for dry cleaning. Can be spot cleaned with a damp sponge.


 SILK FABRIC & CARE

Say "silk" and what do you visualize? No other fabric generates quite the same reaction!

For centuries silk has had a reputation as a luxurious and sensuous fabric – the one associated with wealth and success. Silk is one of the oldest textile fibers known to man. The Chinese have used it since the 27th century BC.
Silk is mentioned by Aristotle and became a valuable commodity both in Greece and Rome.

During the Roman Empire , silk was sold for its weight in gold. Today, silk is yet another word for elegance,
and silk garments are prized for their versatility, wear-ability and comfort.

Silk, is the strongest natural fiber. A steel filament of the same diameter as silk will break before a filament of silk. Silk absorbs moisture, which makes it cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

Because of its high absorbency, it is easily dyed in many deep colors. Silk retains its shape, drapes well,caresses the figure, and shimmers with a luster all its own.

Contemporary silk garments range from eveningwear to sports wear. A silk suit can go to the office and,with a change of accessories and a blouse, transform into an elegant dinner ensemble.Silk garments can be worn for all seasons.

Silk — elegant, versatile and washable. In the past, owning a silk garment meant not only the initial price of the garment but also the cost of dry cleaning. All silk is washable. Silk is a natural protein fiber,like human hair, taken from the cocoon of the silkworm. The natural glue, sericin, secreted by silkworms
and not totally removed during manufacturing of the silk, is a natural sizing which is brought out when washing in warm water.


Silk fabrics can be hand washed. Technically, silk does not shrink like other fibers.
If the fabric is not tightly woven, washing a silk with tightens up the weave...
thus; lighter weights of silk (say a crepe de chine of 14 mm) can be improved by washing, as it will tighten up the weave.

Always dry-wash your silks or wash them with a good gentle soap in cold water.

Give a final rinse in limejuice solution for sheen and stiffness.

Dry your silks in the shade. Drying white silks in the sun turns them yellow.
Keep your silk clothes in cool places, where strong light cannot fade the colour.

Iron silks when damp. Never iron jari, as the pile flattens and permanently damages the fabric.

Envelop your sarees in white cotton cloth and refold them at regular intervals of time.

Use clove sticks while stacking silk fabrics and sarees, as it keeps the moths at bay.

Get sandwash silks cleaned only by professionals. To remove surface stains,
brush the article frequently with a soft brush.