Jewelry Care

All of your Goldman Kolber LLC is made from Sterling Silver and/or 14K Gold. Properly protecting and caring for your jewelry will help keep it looking beautiful through years of use.

All of our Sterling Silver has been electroplated with Rhodium. Rhodium is a chemical element that is a rare, silvery-white, hard, and chemically inert transition metal and a member of the platinum group. It is one of the rarest and most valuable precious metals. Rhodium is a so-called noble metal, resistant to corrosion, found in platinum- or nickel ores together with the other members of the platinum group metals.  White gold is often plated with a thin rhodium layer to improve its appearance while sterling silver is often rhodium plated for tarnish resistance.

Rhodium plated silver may be put in an ultrasonic cleaner with a mild soap solution for cleaning, or cleaned in any mild household soap solution. It is safe to steam clean as well. It should not be subjected to Silver Cleaning solutions however. These solutions are acidic in content, and will wear away the rhodium plating. They are designed to eat away tarnish from unprotected Silver products.

Over a period of time dependent on wear and care patterns, rhodium will wear away. Pieces can always be replated at a local jeweler or sent back to our factory for refinishing. Contact customer service for more information about this service.

Other general jewelry care guidelines below come from the Jewelers of America (JA):

General Tips

• Store your jewelry in a clean, dry place.
• Keep your jewelry in a fabric-lined jewelry case, or in a box with compartments and dividers. If you prefer to use ordinary boxes, wrap each piece individually in soft tissue paper.
• Don’t jumble your jewelry pieces in a drawer or jewelry case. Pieces can scratch each other.

There are many types of small machines on the market that will clean jewelry in a matter of minutes using high-frequency sound. These machines are called “ultrasonic cleaners” and are available in many different models and prices. They can be a convenient way to quickly clean your jewelry at home. However, ultrasonic cleaners can damage some jewelry. Your local jeweler can tell you if an ultrasonic cleaning machine is right for your jewelry wardrobe and, if it is, recommend an appropriate model.

Karat Gold jewelry pieces make up the majority of many fine jewelry collections. Gold comes in many different styles and colors, but the care and cleaning procedure remains the same. Rhodium plated Sterling Silver should be handled much the same as Karat Gold.

• Remove all gold jewelry before showering or cleaning. Soap can cause a film to form on karat gold jewelry, making it appear dull and dingy. By preventing the formation of this film, you immediately reduce the occasions your pieces will need to be cleaned.
• To clean your jewelry at home, you’ll find many commercial cleaners available. In addition, you will find a soft chamois cloth an effective and inexpensive way to keep your pieces lustrous and shining. Ask your jeweler to recommend both of these items for you.
• For certain gold jewelry, especially pieces that do not contain colored gemstones, an ultrasonic cleaning machine may be appropriate. Once again, ask your jeweler to advise you.
• Be careful of chlorine. Chlorine, especially at high temperatures, can permanently damage or discolor your gold jewelry. Do not wear gold jewelry while using chlorine bleach or while in a pool or hot tub.
• You can remove tarnish with a jewelry cleaner, or by using soap and water mixed with a few drops of ammonia. Carefully brush with a soft bristle brush. An old toothbrush can also be used. After the brushing, simply rinse with lukewarm water and allow to dry. If there is a heavy tarnish on your jewelry, consult your jeweler for the best cleaning procedure. You should also talk to your jeweler before attempting to clean any karat gold jewelry set with colored gemstones because some stones require special cleaning procedures.
• Grease can be removed from karat gold jewelry by dipping the jewelry into plain rubbing alcohol. Again, check with your jeweler about colored gemstone pieces.