Care + Cleaning

All jewelry from Kristin Coffin is of the highest artisan quality and with proper care and maintenance, will last a lifetime and beyond. To ensure your pieces will last, be sure to follow the guidelines below: 

General Care:

Remove all rings during activities like weightlifting, gardening, biking, showering, swimming, household chores, or while working with your hands. Never wear your rings while handling household solutions like hairspray, perfumes, makeup, household cleaners, or while using abrasives.   

Diamond, Moissanite, & Sapphire:

Diamonds, moissanites, and sapphire are the hardest stones on earth, but even a diamond can crack or chip when hit just right. It is crucial to remove your rings during the times outlined in the General Care section above. Even a quick chore like washing dishes or doing laundry can put you at risk for hitting or snagging your ring just right, causing a stone to chip, crack, or loosen. Diamonds, moissanite, and sapphires can withstand ultrasonic and steam cleaning. Learn more about their durability here

Pavé Settings: 

Pavé settings are extra susceptible to damage due to their delicate nature. Stones can fall out as metal wears down, or if settings are stretched open due to a bent band or setting. It is especially important that pavé set rings are not worn during activities involving gripping, such as biking, gardening, weightlifting, etc. which can misshape the band. A misshapen ring stretches out pavé settings, causing stones to fall out. Loss of stones due to a misshapen ring is not covered under the warranty. The General Care guidelines should always be followed no matter the ring style you choose, but you might consider opting for a ring without pavé stones in the band if you truly do not think you will remove it during all the times you should.  

Other Gemstones:

To learn more about gemstone durability, and important considerations to make when selecting a gemstone ring, read this blog post. Less durable gems are more susceptible to cracking, chipping, or scuffing (than harder gems like diamond, moissanite, or sapphire). It is especially important to follow the General Care guidelines for less durable gems. Many gems cannot withstand ultrasonic or steam cleaning, or extreme temperatures.  

Cleaning:

Have your jewelry cleaned professionally at a local jewelry store bi-annually, using their ultrasonic or steam cleaners. Check beforehand to make sure your gemstone can withstand those cleaning methods. For in-between at home cleaning, soak jewelry in warm water with a few drops of oil-free dish soap, then gently scrub with a soft bristled toothbrush and allow to air dry. We do not recommend using an at-home ultrasonic.

Check Settings:

Take your pieces to a trusted local jewelry store to have all settings checked at least bi-annually to ensure settings are not in need of maintenance. Have your pieces with pavé or bead-set diamonds professionally cleaned in an ultrasonic a few times a year. That way stones will be more likely to fall out while in the ultrasonic of your local jeweler, and can be safely found and reset. Professional ultrasonics also remove any dirt or buildup that may be temporarily holding the gem in place.  

Golds & Platinum: 

Cleaners, chlorine, and even beauty products can be harmful to metals, so always remove jewelry prior to using or when entering a pool or hot tub. Platinum obtains tiny scuffs more easily, causing creating a matte finish over time. Platinum is more durable for stone settings than white gold, but is actually more bendable/malleable than white gold. Rose and yellow golds are softer metals than white gold, and can scratch and bend more easily. Extra care needs to be taken when wearing soft metals like rose and yellow golds. 

Sterling Silver:

Silver can also be damaged by cleansers (see Golds above) and is more susceptible to bends and scratches since it's softer than golds.  To remove tarnish from bright sterling jewelry, use a polishing cloth. If you own a piece by Kristin with a blackened (oxidized) finish, do not steam clean or use an ultrasonic cleaner. Blackening is a surface finish and will soften with wear, turning bright silver over time. 

Insurance:

It is strongly recommended that you insure your piece after receiving it. Jewelry is commonly insured as a rider on your homeowner's or renter's policy, or via separate companies like Jeweler's Mutual. An insurance policy can protect against loss, theft, and possibly damage due to wear.