Care & Cleaning
All jewellery from Moissy Fine Jewellery will last a lifetime and beyond. Your pieces can be used while performing everyday activities, but they are precious fine jewellery so treat them with care!
To ensure the lifespan of your piece and to avoid bending, scratches and stains we suggest removing during activities like weightlifting, intense activities, gardening or before handling household solutions, cleaners, hairsprays and lotions. Your Moissanite is safe for showering and swimming but be aware prolonged exposure to hard water will wear away rhodium plating, and require more maintenance of your setting.
GOLDS:
Gold is a durable metal, but it can still be scratched and damaged. Chlorine can be harmful, so take care to remove it before entering a hot tub. Gold does not tarnish (oxidize) and therefore does not require a special chemical cleaner. Simply wipe with a soft cloth to remove dirt and oils, or use an ultrasonic cleaner if it is safe for any set gems on the piece.
DIAMONDS & MOISSANITES:
Diamonds and Moissanite are some of the hardest substances on earth, but treat your jewellery with care since a hard blow can still be damaging. Diamond and Moissanite jewellery can be damaged by everyday activities so remember to remove and store it in a safe place if you are doing strenuous activities. Also, it is best to remove your diamond and Moissanite jewellery before handling household cleaners.
CLEANING:
To clean behind Moissanite and diamonds,we recommend our specially formulated jewellery cleaner, our cleaner will bring your gemstones' sparkle back in less than one minute. If you run out of your Moissy Foam Jewellery cleaner, soak jewellery in warm water with a few drops of mild dish soap. Gently brush with a soft bristled toothbrush and allow to air dry. Feel free to bring your jewellery in for a free ultrasonic cleaning in store. A free service with all Moissy purchases.
SETTINGS:
Take your pieces to a Moissy Showroom to have all settings checked at least twice per year. They will ensure that your prongs are in sturdy shape and not in need of maintenance. Have your prongs checked frequently to avoid stones becoming loose and falling out. Unfortunately, we do not cover lost center stones, and over time your warranty may no longer cover lost side or halo stones. Having your piece professionally cleaned means the jeweler will be able to spot loose stones. If a gem falls out into the ultrasonic cleaning basket, it can be safely found and re-set. Otherwise, most gems may fall out never to be found again. Besides a trip to the cleaners always makes it feel brand new!
Rhodium Plating
Q. What is "White Gold"?
Pure 24kt gold is always yellow. There is no such thing as gold that is white.
Jewelry is rarely made from pure 24kt gold because it's rather soft. Engagement rings, wedding bands and jewelry are usually made from an alloy of gold plus other metals. For example:
- 18kt gold is 75% and remaining other metals
- 14kt gold is 58.3% gold and remaining other metals
A gold ring will be mixed with other metals and then will receive a plating of rhodium to create the bright white colour of white gold. This is a temporary plating that will wear away over time and allow the yellow hue of the natural gold colour to peep through.
You may want to consider Platinum metal for your jewellery pieces. Platinum metal is a naturally white metal, that does not take on a yellow hue once the rhodium plating has worn away. Rather platinum will have a brushed silver look after some wear. Platinum is a more dense metal, and also a more expensive metal choice, but will alleviate the need for frequent rhodium maintenance.
Q. What is "Rhodium"?
Rhodium is a very precious metal and is generally not considered a feasible material to make jewelry from, because it is stressed & brittle, and very difficult to "work" properly for jewelry making. Rhodium is fabulous for plating jewelry because it is glitteringly, dazzlingly, and white. It's like chrome, but much whiter, and one of the most reflective of metals. Rhodium is only a plating and therefore it will wear off eventually and require re-plating.
Q. My ring has a yellow tinge, is it real gold?
A. Yes, real gold will have a natural yellow tinge, unplated white gold can never offer the flashy glint of rhodium plating because it's a metal which is about half yellow gold, and for most people it is not white enough for their taste in this age of "bling".
Yes, your gold will last decades and never tarnish or turn your finger green, but rhodium plating will be needed throughout the lifetime of your piece.
Q. How long will rhodium plating last?
First, it depends on whether the item is a ring (rings suffer a great deal of wear), or a pin, brooch, or earrings that receive far less contact. It depends on whether you wear the ring constantly and what it is exposed to. It can also depend on the "body chemistry", sweat and contact with skin. Rhodium plating can last 3-12 months, but with engagement rings worn everyday, and used while handling solutions and chemicals you can expect to re-rhodium your ring as often as every 6 months, if the slight change in colour bothers you.