AAA Jewelry & Diamond Exchange – Beautiful Engagement Rings – Affordable Prices – Serving Chicagoland – 630-852-0003
Engagement Rings
Much more than just another jewelry store – AAA Jewelry & Diamond Exchange has been assisting brides and grooms select beautiful Engagement Rings and wedding rings for over 30 years. Regardless of the budget you’re working with or the type of Engagement Rings you have in mind, our experienced professional staff will help you choose the perfect item that will express just how you feel to your significant other with Engagement Rings to last a lifetime. From traditional diamonds in an elegant setting to innovative creations featuring colored stones we delight in helping our clients design memorable Engagement Rings! Call for an appointment today or simply stop in and see us at our store at 1205 Ogden Avenue in Downers Grove!
With routine maintenance, your Engagement Rings and other valuable jewelry will retain their elegant appearance for many years to come. Here are some helpful tips on how to safely clean your jewelry:
Jewelry Care – Silver
To clean your sterling silver jewelry, simply use a soft cotton or flannel cloth and gently wipe it clean. Recall that silver is a soft metal that can be scratched rather easily. Be sure to only use a clean cotton cloth or a specialized sterling silver cleaning cloth. Avoid paper, polyester or coarse fabrics that can contain wood fibers that can make tiny scratch marks on the surface of your sterling silver jewelry. Dirt particles remaining from earlier cleanings can also cause scratches. We advise against using silver dips to remove oxidation from your jewelry because it may result in tiny scratches that will darken its appearance. Instead, we recommend a focus on preventative steps like storing your silver jewelry (and Engagement Rings when you’re not wearing it) in a closed container so it will not tarnish from exposure to air.
Jewelry Care – Pearls
Pearls are a soft type of jewelry that calls for special care. First, never keep your pearls in a jewelry box where they are in contact with other forms of jewelry that can scratch the pearls. Rather, store your pearls in a separate, fabric-lined box. Your skin naturally emits acids that can be harmful to your pearls. If you wear pearls regularly, take care to wipe them down with a cloth. A pearl bracelet or necklace that gradually absorbs acid will eventually lose its luster. Simply wiping your pearls off will stop dirt from accumulating and keep perspiration from dulling the appearance. Another tip for preserving the luster of pearls is to apply a drop of olive oil on the cleaning cloth before wiping the jewelry off. Pearls can also get damaged from chemicals and excessive heat. Be sure to read labels and only use cleaners that are plainly marked safe for use on pearls. Do not use dish or laundry detergent, bleach or baking soda. Never use toothbrushes, or any other abrasive materials to clean your pearls. Always take off your pearls before using any cosmetics, hair spray, or perfume and avoid heat and dry air because both can cause pearls to turn brown, dry out, and crack.
Jewelry Care – Gold – Engagement Rings
Though gold doesn’t tarnish like silver can, it can get dirty or dull through exposure to the naturally occurring oils in your skin, makeup or other elements. There are many solutions on the market that can clean gold and Engagement Rings, but it easily be accomplished with a mild detergent and a cloth. Simply mix a mild dish detergent with warm water. Drop your Engagement Rings and gold jewelry items into the mixture and allow it to sit for a couple minutes. Scrub the Engagement Rings and jewelry gently with a soft toothbrush, remove item from the soapy mixture and then rinse thoroughly.
Jewelry Care – Gems
Gemstones – although they are very hard – can still sustain damage from lack of care. If you own a ring set with a soft gem variety or an included stone remember to remove it before exercising. When taking your Engagement Rings off do not pull on the stone itself because it could eventually loosen the gem from its setting. It’s important to store each gemstone jewelry piece separately so the harder stones do not scratch the softer stones. Gems can leave scratches on your Engagement Rings, gold, silver and platinum items if you keep your jewelry simply piled in a drawer or box.
Engagement Rings particularly tend to acquire dust or soap behind the gemstone. They need regular cleaning so light can get in and allow your gems to shine. To cleanse transparent crystalline gemstones, soak them in a mix of water and mild dish soap. Use a bowl instead of doing it in the sink to avoid the risk of your jewelry escaping down the drain! Use a toothbrush to clean behind the gemstone, then rinse and dry with a soft cloth.
Jewelry Care – Stainless Steel
Stainless steel jewelry doesn’t rust but can tarnish with time. The rate of tarnish is typically based on how often the jewelry is worn. Just like with any jewelry and Engagement Rings, we advise against using chemical cleaning products. Steel jewelry is rather easy to clean – simply use gentle dishwashing liquid (a few drops in warm water will suffice) and wipe the items with a soft cloth. Steel jewelry is quite durable and able to withstand significant wear and tear in contrast to a softer metal such as silver.
AAA Jewelry & Diamond Exchange Presents Facts About Gold – Did You Know?
*Gold is the one metal that is yellow or “golden” in color. Other metals may over time develop a yellowish shade, but typically only after reacting with other chemicals.
*The majority of the gold in the world came from meteorites that landed more than 200 million years after the planet formed.
*The elemental symbol for gold is Au. The symbol stems from the Latin word for gold, “aurum.”
*The pure element of gold has been known by humankind since ancient times.
*Gold is very malleable. Just one ounce of gold can be pulled into a gold thread 5 miles long! An ounce of gold can be stretched into a sheet that measures 300 square feet and can be thin enough to be transparent. Very thin sheets of gold may look green-blue because the element reflects reds and yellows.
*Though gold is a dense metal, it is non-toxic. Gold metal flakes may even be consumed in foods or liquids.
*Gold is considered to be a noble metal, which means it’s somewhat resistant to degrading by exposure to air or moisture.
*Besides its monetary and decorative value, gold has many other applications in electronics, wiring, dentistry and medicine.
*White gold is an alloy of gold and other white metals like nickel or palladium. Like yellow gold, the purity of white gold is measured in karats. The properties of white gold can vary based on the metals and proportions used as components. A popular alternative to yellow gold, some of our clients prefer the silvery appearance of white gold. While white gold consists of varying amounts of yellow gold, it also has one or more white metals that serve to lighten the color while adding durability and strength. Similar to yellow gold, the purity of white gold is indicated in karats.
*White gold containing a high degree of nickel is generally the closest to a true white color.
* Nickel white gold often doesn’t require plating with rhodium for its color, although a coating may be applied to decrease the possibility of skin reactions. Palladium white gold, which has a gray tinge, is another durable alloy that may not need a coating.
If you’re thinking about Engagement Rings, trust an established jeweler with more than 30 years in the industry – visit AAA today! We have a large selection of beautiful diamonds ready to dazzle your future spouse – depend on us for customized Engagement Rings for any budget!
