Caring for and protecting Jewelry Chipped diamond, discolored metal, household burglary, mysterious disappearance—any number of things can bring about a jewelry claim. Clients never expect to have to use their insurance, but claims do happen. Here are several useful tips for consumers on avoiding jewelry loss and damage. Some tips are obvious and just common sense. Others bring up situations one might not think about until it’s too late. •Deadbolts & window locks are basic to deterring burglary. •The home should have a safe or secure hiding place for storing jewelry that’s not being worn. •Photos are essential to the jewelry’s description, since they show exactly how the insured jewelry looks, and they facilitate settlement of a claim. •If you know you will be traveling, keep jewelry with you, not store it in your luggage. •Remove your jewelry when playing sports, working in the garden, engaging in manual labor, using power tools, working on the car, or doing any activity where the jewelry could be bumped, chipped, broken, discolored or otherwise damaged. •Avoid wearing jewelry while you’re using cleaning products and solvents or when handling outdoor chemicals such as fertilizers and insecticides. Some gems and metals can be damaged even by such common household products as bleach, vinegar and lemon juice. •Chlorinated water can react with the metals found in jewelry, causing color changes and even structural damage. It’s best to remove jewelry before entering the pool or spa or when servicing swimming pools or hot tubs. •Cosmetics, hairspray, perfumes and lotions may contain chemicals that can damage jewelry. Putting jewelry on after applying these materials will limit the jewelry’s exposure to damage. •Do not leave jewelry lying on tables, dresser tops, or counters where it could be bumped unnoticed, fall into the garbage disposal, or otherwise disappear or be harmed. Avoid putting jewelry in a pocket, where you might forget about it. •Prongs that hold gemstones in place in their mounting are prone to wear and can be easily repaired before a stone is lost. Many jewelers provide cleaning and inspection as a free service, so take advantage of it. •Ultrasonic cleaners are machines that emit vibrations to loosen dirt from the jewelry. Steam cleaners loosen dirt using steam. Such machines for cleaning jewelry are available on the Internet for as little as $15, but using them is not always a good idea. Some gems can be damaged from vibration or steam. Do not use such a machine unless your jeweler/appraiser specifically says it will not cause damage to your jewelry. •If you have specific questions about caring for your jewelry, ask your jeweler or appraiser. Deterring Theft •Jewelry theft is often a crime of opportunity. Thieves look for the easiest targets, so every precaution you take can make a difference. •Don’t leave jewelry on dressers or counters. Workers and visitors in your home can be tempted by valuables that are visible or easily accessible. •When jewelry isn’t being worn, store it in a vault, a home safe, or in a secure hiding place. The safe should be in-wall or in-floor or secured to the floor. A strongbox, often marketed as a personal jewelry safe, is not adequate since a burglar can simply carry it away and open it at his leisure. •If a safe is not available, store jewelry in a secure hiding place that is not in the bedroom, because the bedroom is the first place a burglar will look. Choose a place that is easily accessible to you but not obvious to an outsider. •If you are away from home, be sure your house looks like somebody might be home. Dont let newspapers and mail pile up. Consider putting lights or TV on a timer to create the appearance that someone is home. •When wearing jewelry outdoors, be aware of your surroundings. Flashy jewelry is a magnet for theft, and large crowds are a good cover for pickpockets. •Earrings and necklaces can get caught in scarves, bracelets can be pulled off along with a glove. You can lose such jewelry without being aware of it. •Before traveling, make a list of the jewelry youll be taking with you, keeping one copy with you and leaving one at home.
Posted on: Tue, 29 Oct 2013 15:58:34 +0000
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