Here are some simple instructions to keep your turquoise inlay rings looking great. These care instructions apply to all our turquoise rings and accent gemstones and inlay including dinosaur bone, opal, lapis, lab opal, chrysoprase and onyx.
First, never clean your turquoise ring in an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner. Chemicals and heat may negatively affect the epoxy over a period of time. Also, avoid contact with household cleaners and solvents, as they may breakdown the epoxy as well. If your turquoise inlay is accented by diamonds or other faceted stones, simply brush the stones with a soft toothbrush and mild soap from the top and the bottom. Prolonged exposure to water or oils may weaken the bond between the turquoise and the epoxy used to hold it in the channel. Remove any tarnish with a polishing cloth and do not dip the ring in a tarnish removal liquid.
Second, wear your turquoise ring with care and common sense. Remove your ring before performing any activity that might damage it, such as exercising, yard work, swimming, dishwashing, etc. Do not wear your inlay ring on a finger adjacent to another ring. The rings will grind against each other and damage the silver and the inlay. Wearing them on the same finger is fine. When not wearing your ring, store it in a cloth bag or box where your other jewelry cannot ding or scratch it. Doing so will also prolong the life of your jewelry and extend the period you can go before needing to be refinished.
Finally, when the surface of the turquoise or the silver loses its luster, return the piece for refinishing. If you have an accident and break a section of inlay, we can drill it out and replace it without a problem. We recommend returning Hileman Silver Jewelry repairs directly to us. Most jewelers are not experienced with inlay methods and do not have stones to match the ones in your jewelry.