http://create.mopro.com/292155/blog/rss/feedsWed, 29 Apr 2026 15:14:34 -0700http://create.mopro.com/292155/blog/post/how-to-clean-pearl-jewelryhttp://create.mopro.com/292155/blog/post/how-to-clean-pearl-jewelry How to Clean Pearl Jewelry Written by Carly Wickell Updated 10/10/19 A strand of pearls, whether in a necklace or bracelet or a pair of pearl earrings, is a beautiful investment that can be passed down as a precious family heirloom. However, unlike other types of jewels, such as ultra-hard diamonds, pearls are incredibly delicate and easily damaged, both by not cleaning them enough and by cleaning them improperly. Never put your pearls in an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner as you might with other precious stones, as it's a sure way to damage the outer layer of the pearl Why Pearls Require Special Care Because of the way in which pearls are formed, they need extra care. To put it simply, a small seed, bead, or particle is covered in a shiny nacre, a composite substance that is secreted by the mollusk as a sort of inner shell. This soft nacre coating on the pearl's exterior is the main reason pearls are considered fragile and, therefore, need extra care when handling them. The thickness of the nacre coating depends on the type of creature involved, the water it lives in, and how long the intruder is left in place before it is removed. As nacre thickness increases, so does the quality and durability of the pearl. If the nacre of your pearl is thin and fragile, it can easily be chipped off, which can leave unsightly gaps, chips, or cracks, particularly if cleaned with harsh chemicals or put in a jewelry cleaner, such as an ultrasonic cleaner. In the worst case, the pearl can unravel entirely, leaving you with a dull, lifeless bead. Even fake glass and plastic pearls need special care because their coating is significantly thinner and more fragile than nacre How Often to Clean Pearl Jewelry Simply put, you should give the pearls a gentle cleaning every time you wear the jewelry. Wipe the pearls with a soft cloth every time you take them off to keep the pearls' luster and remove body oil and other debris that might be on the surface. Other than that, give the pearls a deeper cleaning if you feel like they look dingy. Take the pearls to a jeweler once a year to double-check both the jewelry's integrity and to give them a proper, thorough cleaning. Even cultured pearls with thicker coatings are more fragile than most other gemstones, so you must handle them carefully to keep them in the best condition. Gentle and conservative cleaning are the keys to successful pearl maintenance. If you notice your pearls are lacking luster, it could be that they've been cleaned too often or too rigorously. What You'll Need Equipment / Tools Two clean cloths Materials Warm water Mild detergent or dish soap Steps to Make It Give the Pearls a Quick Inspection Before any cleaning, double-check that the jewelry is still in good condition. With necklaces and bracelets, take a close look at the silk strand on which the pearls are threaded, ensuring that it hasn't stretched, and make sure the clasp opens and closes properly. For earrings, check the attachment to the posts. Dampen a Cloth With Soapy Water Mix a solution of lukewarm water and a few drops of mild detergent or dish soap. Water that is too hot or too cold may damage the surface of the pearls, so double-check the temperature before using it on the jewelry. Dip a soft, clean cloth into the water and gently wipe down the pearls. Don't put the whole necklace into the water, as it could weaken the thread. Wipe the Pearls With a Clean Cloth Dampen another soft, clean cloth with fresh water. Wipe off the pearls to remove any soap residue. Let the Pearls Air-Dry Place the pearls on a soft towel and let them air-dry thoroughly before returning the jewelry to storage. This helps preserves the elasticity of the silk thread on which the pearls are strung. Tips to Keep Pearls Clean Longer Put your pearls on last before you leave the house. Wearing the jewelry while you're getting ready exposes them to damaging cosmetics, perfumes, and other chemicals. When you take the pearls off, wipe them down with a soft cloth. Real pearls are organic, which means their color is subject to change. To prevent yellowing, store pearls in a non-abrasive fabric pouch or a fabric-lined jewelry box. Keep the pearls hydrated by placing a damp cloth or wet cotton balls in with the pearls, and move the pearls away from any sources of heat. Don't store your pearls with other jewelry because pearls can be scratched easily when metal or gemstones rub against them. Find a special slot in your jewelry box for the pearls, or keep them in a soft bag made from chamois or another non-abrasive material. Thu, 05 Mar 2020 14:02:00 -0700http://create.mopro.com/292155/blog/post/valentines-day-originhttp://create.mopro.com/292155/blog/post/valentines-day-originThe Origins of valentine's Day Every year, the fourteenth day of the month of February has millions across the world presenting their loved ones with candy, flowers, chocolates and other lovely gifts. In many countries, restaurants and eateries are seen to be filled with couples who are eager to celebrate their relationship and the joy of their togetherness through delicious cuisines. There hardly seems to be a young man or woman who is not keen to make the most of the day. The reason behind all of this is a kindly cleric named Valentine who died more than a thousand years ago. It is not exactly known why the 14th of February is known as Valentine's Day or if the noble Valentine really had any relation to this day. The history of Valentine's Day is impossible to be obtained from any archive and the veil of centuries gone by has made the origin behind this day more difficult to trace. It is only some legends that are our source for the history of Valentine's Day. The modern St. Valentine's Day celebrations are said to have been derived from both ancient Christian and Roman tradition. As per one legend, the holiday has originated from the ancient Roman festival of Lupercalis/Lupercalia, a fertility celebration that used to observed annually on February 15. But the rise of Christianity in Europe saw many pagan holidays being renamed for and dedicated to the early Christian martyrs. Lupercalia was no exception. In 496 AD, Pope Gelasius turned Lupercalia into a Christian feast day and set its observance a day earlier, on February 14. He proclaimed February 14 to be the feast day in honor of Saint Valentine, a Roman martyr who lived in the 3rd century. It is this St. Valentine whom the modern Valentine's Day honors. According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, there were at least three early Christian saints by the name of Valentine. While one was a priest in Rome, another was a bishop in Terni. Nothing is known about the third St. Valentine except that he met his end in Africa. Surprisingly, all three of them were said to have been martyred on 14th February. It is clear that Pope Gelasius intended to honor the first of these three aforementioned men. Most scholars believe that this St. Valentine was a priest who lived around 270 AD in Rome and attracted the disfavor of Roman emperor Claudius II who ruled during this time. The story of St. Valentine has two different versions - the Protestant and the Catholic one. Both versions agree upon Saint Valentine being a bishop who held secret marriage ceremonies of soldiers in opposition to Claudius II who had prohibited marriage for young men and was executed by the latter. During the lifetime of Valentine, the golden era of Roman empire had almost come to an end. Lack of quality administrators led to frequent civil strife. Education declined, taxation increased and trade witnessed a very bad time. The Roman empire faced crisis from all sides, from the Gauls, Slavs, Huns, Turks and Mongolians from Northern Europe and Asia. The empire had grown too large to be shielded from external aggression and internal chaos with existing forces. Naturally, more and more capable men were required to to be recruited as soldiers and officers to protect the nation from takeover. When Claudius became the emperor, he felt that married men were more emotionally attached to their families, and thus, will not make good soldiers. He believed that marriage made the men weak. So he issued an edict forbidding marriage to assure quality soldiers. The ban on marriage was a great shock for the Romans. But they dared not voice their protest against the mighty emperor. The kindly bishop Valentine also realized the injustice of the decree. He saw the trauma of young lovers who gave up all hopes of being united in marriage. He planned to counter the monarch's orders in secrecy. Whenever lovers thought of marrying, they went to Valentine who met them afterwards in a secret place, and joined them in the sacrament of matrimony. And thus he secretly performed many marriages for young lovers. But such things cannot remain hidden for long. It was only a matter of time before Claudius came to know of this "friend of lovers," and had him arrested. While awaiting his sentence in prison, Valentine was approached by his jailor, Asterius. It was said that Valentine had some saintly abilities and one of them granted him the power to heal people. Asterius had a blind daughter and knowing of the miraculous powers of Valentine he requested the latter to restore the sight of his blind daughter. The Catholic legend has it that Valentine did this through the vehicle of his strong faith, a phenomenon refuted by the Protestant version which agrees otherwise with the Catholic one. Whatever the fact, it appears that When Claudius II met Valentine, he was said to have been impressed by the dignity and conviction of the latter. However, Valentine refused to agree with the emperor regarding the ban on marriage. It is also said that the emperor tried to convert Valentine to the Roman gods but was unsuccesful in his efforts. Valentine refused to recognize Roman Gods and even attempted to convert the emperor, knowing the consequences fully. This angered Claudius II who gave the order of execution of Valentine. Meanwhile, a deep friendship had been formed between Valentine and Asterius' daughter. It caused great grief to the young girl to hear of his friend's imminent death. It is said that just before his execution, Valentine asked for a pen and paper from his jailor, and signed a farewell message to her "From Your Valentine," a phrase that lived ever after. As per another legend, Valentine fell in love with the daughter of his jailer during his imprisonment. However, this legend is not given much importance by historians. The most plausible story surrounding St. Valentine is one not centered on Eros (passionate love) but on agape (Christian love): he was martyred for refusing to renounce his religion. Valentine is believed to have been executed on February 14, 270 AD. Thus 14th February became a day for all lovers and Valentine became its Patron Saint. It began to be annually observed by young Romans who offered handwritten greetings of affection, known as Valentines, on this day to the women they admired. With the coming of Christianity, the day came to be known as St. Valentine's Day. But it was only during the 14th century that St. Valentine's Day became definitively associated with love. UCLA medieval scholar Henry Ansgar Kelly, author of "Chaucer and the Cult of Saint Valentine", credits Chaucer as the one who first linked St. Valentine's Day with romance. In medieval France and England it was believed that birds mated on February 14. Hence, Chaucer used the image of birds as the symbol of lovers in poems dedicated to the day. In Chaucer's "The Parliament of Fowls," the royal engagement, the mating season of birds, and St. Valentine's Day are related: "For this was on St. Valentine's Day, When every fowl cometh there to choose his mate." By the Middle Ages, Valentine became as popular as to become one of the most popular saints in England and France. Despite attempts by the Christian church to sanctify the holiday, the association of Valentine’s Day with romance and courtship continued through the Middle Ages. The holiday evolved over the centuries. By the 18th century, gift-giving and exchanging hand-made cards on Valentine's Day had become common in England. Hand-made valentine cards made of lace, ribbons, and featuring cupids and hearts began to be created on this day and handed over to the man or woman one loved. This tradition eventually spread to the American colonies. It was not until the 1840s that Valentine's Day greeting cards began to be commercially produced in the U.S. The first American Valentine's Day greeting cards were created by Esther A. Howlanda Mount Holyoke, a graduate and native of Worcester. Mass. Howland, known as the Mother of the Valentine, made elaborate creations with real lace, ribbons and colorful pictures known as "scrap". It was when Howland began Valentine's cards in a large scale that the tradition really caught on in the United States. Today, Valentine's Day is one of the major holidays in the U.S. and has become a booming commercial success. According to the Greeting Card Association, 25% of all cards sent each year are "valentine"s. The "valentines", as Valentine's Day cards are better known as, are often designed with hearts to symbolize love. The Valentine's Day card spread with Christianity, and is now celebrated all over the world. One of the earliest valentines was sent in 1415 AD by Charles, Duke of Orleans, to his wife during his imprisonment in the Tower of London. The card is now preserved in the British Museum. There may be doubts regarding the actual identity of Valentine, but we know that he really existed because archaeologists have recently unearthed a Roman catacomb and an ancient church dedicated to a Saint Valentine. References: The Origins of valentine's Day. (n.d.). Retrieved February 7, 2020, from https://www.theholidayspot.com/valentine/history_of_valentine.htm Fri, 07 Feb 2020 10:02:00 -0700http://create.mopro.com/292155/blog/post/how-to-care-for-your-sapphire-jewelryhttp://create.mopro.com/292155/blog/post/how-to-care-for-your-sapphire-jewelry Sapphires actually come in every color of the rainbow including pink, peach, yellow, green, and teal. When most people think of sapphires, they think of the rich blue gemstone that’s highly coveted. Blue sapphire is the most popular and expensive of blue colored stones. The bluest sapphires are bought in the united states, about half the sapphires in the world market. Sapphire is the most popular complementing stone as more consumers buy jewelry adorned with blue sapphires than with any other colored stone. Sapphire is part of the Big 3 of precious stones. The Big 3 include Ruby, Emerald, and Sapphire. This gives Sapphire a major popular appeal. Sapphire is right next to diamond with its extraordinary durability, set at a 9 on the Mohs scale of hardness. Sapphires durability and resistance to scratches or other damage makes Sapphire perfect to wear daily and makes it highly desirable. Moran and Wright offer many products that can care for your Sapphire jewelry. One product in particular is our new Brilliant Shine liquid foaming jewelry cleaner! This liquid foaming jewelry cleaner is formulated to cling to grime, oil, dirt, dust, etc. that accumulates on jewelry to restore your jewelry to its original luster. References: Perron, C. (2019, September 12). 15 Fun Facts About Sapphire, September's Birthstone. Retrieved September 30, 2019, from https://www.brilliantearth.com/news/15-amazing-facts-about-sapphires-the-september-birthstone. DeRoo, N. (2016, September 9). September's Birthstone: Sapphire. Retrieved October 1, 2019, from https://www.distinctivegold.com/blog/Post/2478/September-s-Birthstone-Sapphire.Tue, 01 Oct 2019 08:41:00 -0700http://create.mopro.com/292155/blog/post/benefit-of-professional-jewelry-care-productshttp://create.mopro.com/292155/blog/post/benefit-of-professional-jewelry-care-productsWithout a doubt "Brilliant Shine" liquid jewelry cleaning products are the most effective for care of your precious metals and non-porous stones. Non-organic to prevent bactieral growth, maintain shelf life and a ph level that ensures quality care. We offer two (2) products: a foaming liquid applicator http://bit.ly/MoranWrightFJC and a jar with basket http://b it.ly/LiquidClean. Wed, 11 Sep 2019 13:59:00 -0700http://create.mopro.com/292155/blog/post/how-to-care-for-your-ruby-jewelryhttp://create.mopro.com/292155/blog/post/how-to-care-for-your-ruby-jewelry This magnificent piece of Jewelry is provided by Regent Jewelers and can be found here: https://regentjewelers.net/products/3-70-carat-agl-no-heat-burma-ruby-and-diamond-ring?_pos=1&_sid=ed6956459&_ss=r For more information about this piece please call (305) 443-7373 Ruby is the deep, fiery red birthstone of July. The color red is generally the most intense color that is used to express the most intense emotions like anger and love. Early cultures believed that there was an immortal fire in rubies and as such, everyone had to have one. In Britain and France, among other countries, Rubies are the main gemstone to decorate royal crowns. This desire for ruby is just as great today as it always has been. Consumers and jewelry lovers alike are drawn to the deep red hues of the Ruby that signify passion and love, making this gemstone an ideal romantic gift. The Sunrise Ruby, set with diamonds, is from the private collection of the jewelry house Cartier. Justin Tallis / AFP There is no precise date of when Ruby was first discovered, some evidence suggests that Ruby has been around since 200 B.C. Nevertheless, Ruby has kept its title of, “King of precious stones”, for centuries and for a good reason. Ruby remains one of the most expensive gemstones on the market. Most recently on May 12, 2015, a 25.59-carat ruby ring sold for $1,266,901 per carat for a total over just over $32.4 million. This set a new world record for an auction for colored gemstones. In lower-quality material, surface-reaching fractures and cavities may be filled with a glass to decrease their visibility so the gem appears more transparent. Some of these treatments may make the ruby more vulnerable to damage during normal wear and care. Before you buy, always ask if your ruby has been treated and by what method. The Federal Trade Commission requires disclosure of treatments that affect a gemstone’s perceived value. Ultrasonic cleaners are usually safe for untreated, heat-treated and lattice diffusion–treated stones. It is important to take care of such a pristine and coveted gemstone, luckily Moran & Wright offers several products that will clean and maintain your Ruby jewelry. One of these products includes the Brilliant Shine foaming jewelry cleaner. This product is easy to use and can restore your precious Ruby jewelry to its original luster in a matter of minutes. Glass-filled or dyed stones should only be cleaned with a damp cloth. Moran & Wright also offers a micro-fiber cloth that is perfectly suited to cleaning glass-filled or dyed stones. References: Ward, F. (n.d.). Ruby. Retrieved June 11, 2019, from https://www.gia.edu/ruby Smigel, B., PhD. GG,, Arem, J. E., Ph.D., FGA, & Clark, D., CSM IMG. (n.d.). Ruby Value, Price, and Jewelry Information. Retrieved June 11, 2019, from https://www.gemsociety.org/article/ruby-jewelry-and-gemstone-information/Wed, 24 Jul 2019 09:17:00 -0700http://create.mopro.com/292155/blog/post/how-do-i-clean-my-pearl-jewelryhttp://create.mopro.com/292155/blog/post/how-do-i-clean-my-pearl-jewelry Pearls are very delicate gemstones that are rated on the Mohs scale of hardness. Diamonds are a 10 on this scale (the hardest rating), while talc is the softest with a rating of 1. Pearls fall on the soft side of this scale with a rating of 2.5. This rating means that pearls can be scratched and/or damaged very easily. Acidic products may dissolve pearls. Only gentle non-abrasive products should be used to clean pearls. To preserve your pearls, do not allow them to come in contact with products and substances. Even repeated contact with water and/or sweat can damage pearls. Things such as cosmetics, perfume, hairspray, sunscreen, and lotion can also damage pearls. It is recommended to remove pearl jewelry when applying these products and let these products thoroughly dry before putting on pearls. If pearls come in contact with products or acidic substances, it is important to wipe them off immediately with a soft cloth. When wearing pearls, one should also avoid direct sunlight and high temperatures. Pearls should not be cleaned in ultrasonic cleaners or with jewelry cleaning solutions that do not specifically say they can be used with pearls. Pearls should be wiped clean with a soft, untreated cloth after each use. We recommend using Rich Glo’s Lint Free Micro-Fiber chamois. This cloth is gentle, lint free, and won’t scratch delicate jewelry such as pearls. Refrences: Pearl Care and Cleaning Guide. (n.d.). Retrieved June 11, 2019, from https://www.gia.edu/pearl-care-cleaning Pearl Care. (n.d.). Retrieved June 11, 2019, from https://www.mikimotoamerica.com/pearl-care Hart, O. (n.d.). How to Clean Pearls Without Ruining Them. Retrieved June 11, 2019, from https://info.jewelersmutual.com/the-jewelry-box/how-to-clean-pearls-without-ruining-themTue, 11 Jun 2019 14:38:00 -0700http://create.mopro.com/292155/blog/post/what-should-i-know-about-jewelry-cleaning-clothhttp://create.mopro.com/292155/blog/post/what-should-i-know-about-jewelry-cleaning-clothA jewelry cleaning cloth is a soft fabric that may be treated with a special formula. Typically, cloths used to clean precious metals (such as silver and gold) are treated with formulas whereas cloths designed to clean diamonds and other gemstones are not treated. Cloths used to polish precious metals are most effective when they are treated with polishing agents. These polishing agents consist of super-fine micro-abrasives, ingredients that bind the abrasive compounds, and ingredients that enhance the shine on jewelry. Treated polishing cloths are usually made of cotton flannel. Our Rich Glo Gold & Silver Polishing Cloths are very effective at cleaning precious metals. Polishing cloths can also be made of other materials, such as suede. Our Brilliant Shine Ultra-Suede Polishing Cloths are another excellent option for cleaning gold and silver jewelry. These cloths are also treated with polishing agents. Unlike the flannel cloths, these cloths are lint free. Treated polishing cloths are safe to use on most jewelry. Cloths used to clean diamonds and gems should be lint-free. Our Rich Glo Micro-Fiber Chamois Cloth is an excellent choice for polishing gemstones. This cloth is lint-free and non-abrasive and is the only type of cloth that is safe to use on all gemstones. It is not recommended to launder treated polishing cloths, as this will remove the polishing agents and abrasives. This will cause the cloths to be less effective at polishing jewelry. However, it is perfectly fine to wash untreated micro-fiber cloths. Treated polishing cloths should be replaced when they lose their effectiveness. With normal usage, we recommend replacing every 6 months. Fri, 24 May 2019 12:54:00 -0700http://create.mopro.com/292155/blog/post/how-to-care-for-your-emerald-jewelryhttp://create.mopro.com/292155/blog/post/how-to-care-for-your-emerald-jewelryEmeralds are one of the most loved and adored gemstones. Emerald is historically one of the ‘Big 3’ Gemstones. Together, along with Sapphire and Ruby, they created more economic activity in history than all the other gemstones combined. However, as perfect and coveted these stones are, most if not all Emeralds will carry inclusions in them or ‘Surface-Reaching fractures”. Emeralds generally have a Mohs hardness of 7.5 to 8 which makes it perfect for use in Jewelry. However, with the numerous inclusions that are retained in most Emeralds, they become brittle and easily breakable. To combat these inclusions, commercial emeralds are fracture filled. Fracture filling is to coat the Emerald in either oils, polymers, waxes, or another substance that will fill the fractures which will reduce the fracture appearance and increase the overall appearance of the Emerald. Even though these treatments improve the overall appearance of the Emerald, they do not increase the Emeralds durability. Commercial ‘Jewelry Cleaning Solutions’ and Ultrasonic machines can remove these oils and other substances from your Emerald Jewelry which makes the Emerald look as if it was damaged by the solution, which is not the case, the solutions only removed the fracture filled substances and brought out it’s natural imperfections. A Soft micro fiber cloth, which Moran & Wright have in store, is the perfect way to clean and care for your Emerald Jewelry. Moran & Wrights blue Microfiber cloth is specially designed to clean blemishes and bring out your Jewelry’s natural luster without the use of harsh chemicals that could otherwise harm your Emerald Jewelry. References: King, H. M. (n.d.). Ph.D., GIA Graduate Gemologist, Emerald. Retrieved May 8, 2019, from https://geology.com/gemstones/emerald/ Liccini, M. (n.d.). Understanding Emerald Enhancements and Treatments - Gem Society. Retrieved May 8, 2019, from https://www.gemsociety.org/article/emerald-enhancement/Thu, 09 May 2019 09:05:00 -0700http://create.mopro.com/292155/blog/post/rose-and-green-colored-gold-jewelryhttp://create.mopro.com/292155/blog/post/rose-and-green-colored-gold-jewelry Most commercial gold jewelry available is made using yellow gold. Yellow gold is made by mixing pure gold with silver, copper, and zinc alloys. It is the purest form of gold in terms of color. However, some of the most interesting jewelry designs are made with rose or green colored gold. The different colors are achieved using different alloys. The depth of rose-colored gold indicates the amount of copper content, the deeper the red color the higher content of copper. The red color is considered more romantic of the colors of gold jewelry and pairs well with Caspian blue or Black stones. People with neutral skin tones wear rose gold exceptionally well. Green gold is the color of harmony, renewal, hope, and health. For many years fashion designers have been adding green to their creations to help them spring to life. Green gold pairs well with Lapis Lazuli. The iron pirate in the Lapis Lazuli is highlighted by the green gold setting. When shopping for a unique piece of jewelry look beyond yellow gold.Fri, 19 Apr 2019 09:57:00 -0700http://create.mopro.com/292155/blog/post/what-you-should-not-clean-your-jewelry-withhttp://create.mopro.com/292155/blog/post/what-you-should-not-clean-your-jewelry-withJewelry solutions containing ammonia. Ammonia is an eye irritant and is seldom used by jewelers as it has become an issue of liability. Acids can come in many forms including organic and botanical compounds. Beware of products that contain any form of acid as they may have unexpected results. Never use Effervescent denture cleaners for cleaning jewelry. Use products professionally designed for jewelry care. Consult a professional on what products are safe to use. In an effort ro market a product that appeals to the latest trend, claims are sometimes made that are a little over the top, such as being, "safe to drink". If unsure... consult a jewelry professional. Fri, 15 Mar 2019 10:53:00 -0700