Taking Care of Your UMANO Accessories

Tips for maintaining their beauty and quality.

 

Here are a series of tips for how to maintain the beauty and quality of your accessories depending upon the materials included in each.

 

Gemstones

 

 

Storage – Natural minerals, sterling silver and pearls are best kept in soft cloth bags or rolls.

 

Natural Minerals –  All minerals can be cleaned using a damp, soft cloth.  If needed, you can use a small amount of hand soap.  However, it’s best not to saturate or submerge.  The latter is especially important for wearable jewelry which is strung on polyester* thread (thread edges have been covered with French wire).  Minerals which have been color treated – especially taupe, poppy and blue-colored serpentine are subject to fading if placed for long periods of time in direct sunlight.

 

* Please note:  Silk thread is not used for jewelry as it breaks much more easily than polyester.

 

Pearls – Freshwater cultured pearls are more delicate than minerals, and so a gentler technique is called for.  Once again, a soft, damp cloth will work.  As pearls are organic minerals they may pick up fragrances or make-up.  Because of this they should be wiped clean often.  It’s always best to wear pearls on clean skin without make-up or perfumes used in the same area.

 

Shell Pearls – These pearls are laboratory-created from mother of pearl and usually have protective coatings.  They are quite sturdy and not likely to pick up perfumes and fragrances.  As with all other beads, gentle cleaning with a damp, soft cloth works best.

 

Sterling Silver – Even if the sterling silver is adjacent to gemstones or pearls, you may lightly polish using a soft jeweler’s silver cloth.  Avoid the use of silver dips and creams.

 

 

Textiles

 

Japanese Obi Tapestries –This fabric is old or vintage with many dating Pre-WWII.  Accordingly, great care needs to be exercised when handling these fabrics.  Snags, slight frays, patina, small areas of acceptable discoloration are all part of the charm of Obi.  Those with metallic threads and/or coated threads (to achieve high gloss), are especially sensitive.  Most all Obi have been worn as part of traditional Japanese dress.  Display pillows and scrolls out of direct sunlight.  Cleaning is not recommended.  Consult with a professional dry cleaner, and explain the age of the fabric if you encounter a situation that demands cleaning.  For storage, avoid the use of sealed plastic bags which may accelerate the deterioration of fibers.

 

Silk Fabric – UMANO uses a variety of 100% silk fabrics including, dupioni, raw silk, and silk taffeta.  Professional dry cleaning is recommended for all.  All silks are subject to fading.  Also, silk should be treated as a delicate fabric and not subjected to pulling or undue stress on the fibers.

 

Tassels – Most tassels are made of rayon.  They can be trimmed to desired length, provided that  the strands are straight, as opposed to looped at the end. Hair trimming scissors are best to use.  For Turkish Knot tassels, occasionally the end of the knot may poke out as glue is not used to hold end in place.  If this happens, simply use the closed end of scissors or other blunt tool to poke the end of the cord back under the knot.