Shopping for antique and vintage jewellery is fun, especially when you find one-of-a-kind investment pieces. However, antique jewellery is extremely fragile, which is why it is important to learn how to store and preserve these rare treasures in your home.  The following is a brief guide on the proper care of antique and vintage jewellery.

Store jewels individually. Diamonds and other gems have a tendency to scratch each other when stored together. Make sure to store your diamond vintage rings separately. This is also true for other gems as well as pearls.

Clean jewels regularly. To restore the shine of your jewelry, you will need to clean them regularly. Regular cleanings will remove oils, soap, and dirt. Ask your jeweller on specific cleaning instructions depending on the type of gem. For example, pearl, opal, coral and ruminate should never be cleaned with an ultrasonic cleaning machine.

Provide yearly check-ups. It is important to take your antique, vintage, and Art Deco rings to the jeweller once a year. The jeweller will inspect the jewellery for loose stones or worn claws. All loose stones can be tightened and worn claws can be repaired.

Follow the rules when wearing jewellery. If you plan to wear your vintage jewellery, make sure to put on perfume, makeup, and hair sprays before you put on your jewellery. All of these substances can damage gemstones. After each wearing, clean your jewellery with a soft cloth. Don’t wear antique pieces with gold chains or other items that will touch them. Also, don’t wear your jewellery while participating in activities such as sports, lifting weights, and housework.

It doesn’t get more iconic than vintage jewellery, and we know just the place where you can find the perfect splurge-worthy statement piece: Cynthia Findlay Antiques.  Cynthia is a master of the vintage jewellery industry, and knows a stunning vintage piece when she sees it. She’s made a living of collecting some of the most beautiful vintage and estate jewellery on the market, ranging from vintage rings, necklaces, and earrings, to home décor and dining pieces, making her one of the most trusted and well respected leaders in the industry.

The look is breathtaking, flaunted by the world’s most beloved actresses including the most popular, Elizabeth Taylor. Vintage jewellery has always been in style. And today, it has become modern luxury, pushing purchases beyond brand and store to focus on the product: something Cynthia knows all too well.

A 5th generation entrepreneur, Cynthia owns a company built around her keen eye for quality antiques and jewellery. She even provides her discerning clientele with a host of personalized concierge services, including personal shopping services. Whether you’re a collector or simply looking for a special gift for that special someone, Cynthia is sure to have the statement piece you want.

Everything about Cynthia’s collection is wonderful: the quality, the selection, and the customer service. Most importantly, each item comes with a modest sense of luxury, each piece is rare. If you enjoy indulging in rare antique and estate jewellery, visit Cynthia Findlay Antiques. The 6,000 square foot store is located in Toronto, Canada and attracts designers, international customers and celebrities.

When it comes to designer jewelry, most people are used to seeing precious gemstones such as diamonds being used. But if Catherine Malandrino’s recent showcase at the 2009 New York Fashion Week is any indication, there might be a new material being used that could create quite a stir within the industry: wood.

The Watertown Daily Times reports that as part of her tribal, African-themed collection, many of Malandrino’s models wore wooden fashion jewelry to go along with tribal pants. But Malandrino was not alone in looking to Africa for inspiration: many other top designers went with a safari theme for their looks, including Chris Benz, who showcased a “safari-ready” silk dress at his event.

This is not entirely surprising, as anyone who has shopped at a fashion jewelry online store like Rilee & Lo recently has seen that many leading jewelry designers have been turning to global inspirations in recent years, including African designs.