CARING FOR JEWELRY AND FURS

(March 2024)

There are several ways that insurance professionals may assist their personal lines customers with protecting their more valuable possessions, such as jewelry. One opportunity to provide service is not directly concerned with insurance. Besides assisting clients with carrying the right type and amount of coverage, it is important to be a source of information on assuring that jewelry is kept in its best condition. Providing such care puts a jewelry owner in a better position to recover their full value in case of a loss.

Sharing information on how to handle property should be a priority. Regardless the scope of personal inland marine or scheduled protection, no insurer covers against diminished value caused by wear and tear created by the way an owner uses or treats valuable property. Providing information on how to properly care for such property is a way to further enhance the coverage that you sell and maintain for your policyholders.

Certainly, some information on care may appear obvious, arising out of common sense; but, just as often, the owner of precious properly may be unaware of even basic handling issues.

General Tips

1. Avoid swimming pools while wearing jewelry due to the danger of chlorine.

2. Carefully check for any evidence of loose stones using vibrating devices, gentle brushing, or toothpicks, but be prepared to handle stones that may pop out. Either avoid making such inspections over a sink or tub (stones could fall into their drains) or cover any drain opening first.

3. Delicate jewelry chains should be stored in special boxes or be carefully hung up. These methods prevent tangling (and possible breakage, which would not be covered by insurance).

4. Clean jewelry regularly, using methods appropriate to the type of property.

5. Do not store jewelry:

· Near a heat source

· In direct sunlight

· In dangerous settings such as vehicle dashboards, open sink, tub drains, or windowsills

6. Jewelry that is removed during certain activities should sometimes be put in a secure place rather than the nearest pocket. Being jostled by pocketknives, coins and car keys could result in more damage than continuing to wear the property.

7. Periodically inspect pieces to make sure they’re intact, particularly earrings, necklaces, and bracelets.

8. Store jewelry separately to avoid the risk of scratching other pieces.

9. Remove earrings and necklaces and carefully store them before going to bed.

10. When washing or applying make-up, remove jewelry, perform the task, and put jewelry on afterwards. Make up and cleanser chemicals could damage jewelry.

11. Remove rings and jewelry before athletic activities, cleaning, or gardening since they unnecessarily expose property to damage or loss.

Note: Jewelers are a good source of information regarding care and cleaning. So, seek their advice, especially since a particular cleaning or handling method may be recommended for one type of stone, but ruinous to another. Also, there are a variety of sources on the Internet offering advice on proper care and handling.

Caring for Jewelry - Diamonds

· Take precautions while engaged in rigorous activity, as a hard blow could chip the stone. Because diamonds often have settings to showcase the stones, they’re more vulnerable to damage or loss than embedded mountings.

· When cleaning the diamond, use mild detergent or sudsy ammonia. A pre-cleaning soak in alcohol helps to remove greasy film build-up.

· Soft brushing during cleaning is a good way to remove dirt around prongs and settings.

· Avoid contact with chlorine bleach which can severely damage and discolor mountings.

· Have your prongs and mountings checked annually to make sure that they provide a secure fit for the stone.

Caring for Gold

Besides the care accompanying their companion jewel settings:

· Avoid harsh cleaners and chlorine

· Store separately to avoid scratching

· Have damage corrected by experienced sources quickly to restore value and prevent more serious loss

Caring for Jewelry – Other Than Diamonds

It is very important to avoid storing or exposing many gemstones to direct sunlight. Depending upon the type of stone, sunlight may result in fading or discoloration. As with diamonds, avoid the danger of loose settings by having prongs and mountings checked annually. While many gemstones may be safely cleaned with a warm, sudsy solution (and gentle brushing) or with commonly available commercial cleaners, avoid ultrasonic cleaners. The latter is recommended for diamonds and other hard gemstones but is dangerous for softer stones. Gemstones come in a wide variety of characteristics and degrees of hardness. Softer stones or stones with particular qualities could be severely harmed or even ruined with the wrong cleaning method. For instance, many stones have their appearance enhanced by color dyes. Dye is often removed by ultrasonic cleaners, so their use may result in a cleaner, but paler stone with flaws revealed. It is critically important to get specific care instructions from a reputable jeweler.

Caring for Pearls

· Avoid direct or prolonged contact with cosmetics, perfumes, and hair sprays which, eventually, may have a corrosive effect

· Clean and restring pearls regularly to prevent stretching, soiling, and weakening

· Be sure that pearls are strung properly. Knots tied between pearls are a more secure method and prevent pearls in the strand from rubbing against each other.

· Do not store pearls in plastic bags!

· Store pearl strands flat rather than hang them. Pearls are usually strung on silk which is prone to stretching.

· Store separately from other items and it is helpful to wrap pearls in tissue paper before storing.

· Wash pearls with mild soap and water (do not use other cleaners) after each wearing.

Caring for Pewter and Pewterware

· A helpful method is to store pewter in boxes, isolated from other objects that could damage it. Objects should be wrapped in tissue paper for added protection, especially against scratching and abrasions.

· Clean with soapy, soft, damp cloth.

· Carefully dry with soft, clean cloth and buff to restore shine.

· Keep from extreme heat, which could damage the soft metal.

· Remove jewelry to prevent damage when engaged in activities such as sports, gardening, construction, housecleaning.

Caring for Silver and Silverware

· A helpful method is to store silver in plastic bags that can be sealed. This method reduces the pieces’ exposure to air, making the silver less vulnerable to tarnishing.

· Minimize silver’s exposure to water and certainly do not allow contact with solvents and common household cleaners.

· Sterling silver will polish up by rubbing or buffing it with a soft cotton cloth or a Sunshine Cloth.

· Storing silver in drawers or cases with special compartments is suggested since they reduce damage caused by unnecessary shifting.

· It is preferable to use cleaners and polishing materials that are specially designed for silver.

· Do not use tissue for cleaning or polishing.

Caring for Watches

Unlike typical items of personal adornment, watches serve a practical, necessary function: telling time. Therefore, no matter what jewels, features, or precious metals a watch contains, a watch that does not work is a paperweight (or, if big and heavy enough, a doorstop). Insureds should be careful to avoid harm to a watch from sources of loss that can be easily avoided, such as wearing an expensive watch while performing strenuous or sports activities. Taking a few seconds to put a watch in a pocket, locker, or gym bag could avoid misery. One good suggestion for owners of very expensive watches who engage in regular, high-octane activities is to use a second, cheap watch while jogging, playing tennis, mountain-climbing, sculling, etc.

If a watch’s crystal is cracked or scratched, it should be quickly replaced so that no foreign elements gain access to a watch’s mechanisms. Dead batteries should also be replaced since a watch may sometimes be affected by prolonged periods of inactivity. Naturally, it is also important to make sure that the watch band is in good condition, especially leather which degrades due to age as well as from being subjected to sweat and handling. Keeping the watch’s original case for storing is also a good idea.

Caring For Furs

Such garments need special care in order to preserve their appearance and their high value. Like many other types of assets, furs are investments and they are capable of maintaining and even increasing their value. However, as is the case with jewelry, an owner has to be aware of how to handle this special investment. The following is offered to assist the insurance professionals whose clients might benefit from tips on caring for their furry possessions.

Cleaning

Cleaning attempts by owners must be minimized and fur owners need to be aware that fur items should be gently shaken out. Do not attempt combing or brushing. Furs should be professionally cleaned at least once per year. Professional cleaning extends the look and longevity of the garments. Fur specialists use processes that are different than dry cleaners and result in the following:

• Removal of airborne pollutants
• Elimination of dirt and make-up
• Rejuvenation of the leather linings
• Restoring the fur’s luster

Use and Care

Fur owners who wish to make sure their special garments keep their high value must pay attention to detail. Furs can’t be handled in the same manner as other clothing without risk of substantial damage. Since furs are both heavy and delicate (a perilous combination), minor areas of wear, rips or tears should be immediately and professionally repaired. To minimize wear and tear, do the following:

• Avoid worn spots caused by pinning items such as flowers or heavy jewelry on furs.
• Be careful when using belts or hooks since they also may damage fur.
• Damp furs should be hung in a cool spot with freely circulating air for safe drying.
• Furs that are thoroughly wet should be immediately sealed in a plastic bag and taken to a reliable furrier for proper treatment.
• Prevent stressing a fur by being sure it is unbuttoned/unhooked before sitting.
• Speaking of sitting, cover the car seat with a smooth cloth. If you don’t, an uncovered car seat may entangle and pull-out guard hairs.
• Fur and alcohol don’t mix. Alcohol is contained in perfumes, hairsprays, and makeup, so avoid direct contact or risk stiff fur hairs and dried leather (often used in fur linings).

Coat Season Storage

Never leave a fur near a heat source since it can make both fur and leather brittle. Normally, cedar closets and moth balls are good for clothing. That is not the case with furs. Both moth balls and cedar absorb moisture and this effect is as harmful to furs as it is to moths, causing dry rot in the former.

Only use hangers with wide shoulders which prevent furs from creasing and also make sure to allow a lot of space between garments to avoid their being crushed.

Restrict use of garment bags to traveling. Most garment bags, especially plastic bags, restrict air flow, causing furs to dry out.

Non-coat Season Storage

First, apply the same points mentioned in “Coat Season Storage,” above. During the warmer months (especially summer) it is critical to protect furs from heat, humidity, and insects (moths). Treating a fur for moths with chemicals may cause permanent damage if done incorrectly. The best protection is to let warm weather storage be handled by a professional. Furriers store garments in modern storage vaults where temperature and humidity (34°F and less than 40%) are kept constant. An additional incentive for professional storage is that it also allows fur owners to take advantage of reduced premiums.