Gem Lore:
Cameo - is a fashioning process that involves cutting away material, to produce a design raised above the background. The process requires carving a banded material, with two or more differently coloured layers. For clear distinction, the raised figure is in one colour and the background is in another.
Shell - is the hard outer layer of a mollusc or crustacean, and is the oldest material used for personal adornment. The most notable variety is mother of pearl, this nacreous layer exhibits an iridescent silky lustre, which occurs in oysters or abalone shells. The abalone shell is most prized for a blue, green and pink iridescence, whereas the oyster shell exhibits a well-known pearly white iridescence. Other varieties include helmet and conch shell, which are most often carved into cameos, due to their layered structure. Helmet shell is a brown and white banded material and conch shell is a pink and white banded material.
Jewellery Care Precautions:
Avoid direct contact with: perfume, lotions, skincare, hairspray / other chemicals. Remove, your jewellery: when showering, swimming (as both chlorine and saltwater will react with metals), washing your hands / using hand sanitisers, before going to bed or when participating in physical activities (going to the gym, exercising, gardening, housework etc….).
Beware, metals may tarnish over time due to oxygen contact and natural body oils. Prevent items from being exposed to moisture and direct sunlight, for long periods. Store jewellery in a dry place away from humidity, in a pouch/jewellery box and keep each piece separated from each other. Care, for your jewellery by cleaning with a soft dry cloth.
Yellow Gold:
Gold as an element, in its purest form will not tarnish, but gold used in jewellery has been alloyed with other metals, to increase durability. These metals have properties that when in contact with oxygen, chemicals, oils or other substances - will result in a surface tarnish or damage and corrosion. Even the pH level of you skin and the natural oils it produces, can tarnish your gold jewellery.
To prevent your gold jewellery from tarnishing or even disintegrating, avoid exposure to household chemicals, bleaches, toothpaste, baking soda and other cleaning abrasives. Wearing jewellery in places where perfumes, hairsprays, body lotions have been applied on your body, will increase tarnishing. Wear your jewellery after the products have been applied. To clean your gold jewellery, use a mild soap with warm water and dry with a soft cloth. For professional cleaning, our workshop can polish your jewellery back to life.
Shell:
💎 Hardness: 3.5-4 | 💪 Toughness: Poor to Fair | ⚖️ Stability: Poor
♥️ Extreme Caution, ⚠️ Avoid:
🔨 Pressure / Knocks, 💈 Hair Sprays, 🧴 Lotions / Perfumes, 💄 Make-Up, 💦 Solvents (💅 Nail Polish Remover), 🧪 Acids / Detergents / Chemicals, 💡 Light, ☀️🔥 Heat, 💧 Porosity, 🫧 Jewellery Dips, 🔊 Ultrasonic, 🌪 Steam Cleaners.
🔬 Gemmological Observation: Only use a damp cloth to clean any shell materials.
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