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Care

Kathryn Bentley Care Instructions

Our jewelry is made in Los Angeles by reputable jewelers. We take pride in sourcing stones responsibly, taking into consideration the environmental and ethical impacts - our diamonds are certified Kimberley Process to ensure “conflict-free diamonds”.

The metal and stones on some pieces can be changed. An additional fee may be associated with changing the metal or stone of certain pieces.

Dream Collective covers the cost of all repairs under normal wear for the first six month after purchase. However, if the ring is noticeably bent, shows improper care, or is damaged in any other manner, we will repair the ring at cost. We will tighten stones free of charge. After the first six months, Dream Collective will perform repairs for a fee. Please note, that if any jewelry other than Dream Collective makes alterations or repairs to your jewelry, the Dream Collective warranty will be voided.

If your Dream Collective piece requires service and you're under warranty, please don't panic! Please email info@dreamcollective.com for assistance. We are happy to make minor adjustments to jewelry, including resizing, for an additional fee.

Our pieces are made to order and production time is generally 4 weeks. If you would like your item before that time frame we will apply a rush fee.

General Care For All Kathryn Bentley Jewelry

Caring for your jewelry begins with proper wear: knowing when to put it on, when to take it off, and when to have it serviced by a professional. We’ve created these instructions with Kathryn Bentley jewelry in mind, but you can apply them to all of your fine jewelry. As a general rule, if you're unsure about whether it's a good idea to wear your jewelry in a given situation, choose the safer options and remove it. Dream Collective is always available to consult with you about any care questions.

Although it can be tempting to wear your jewelry all the time, please REMOVE rings, necklaces, and earrings when:

  • Exercising: any strenuous activity including cardio, yoga, lifting weights, etc.
  • Showering or bathing
  • Sleeping. Not many people expect this one, but it is important! The extended heat and pressure that occurs during sleep can wreak havoc on delicate fine jewelry. Keep a jewelry appropriate container next to your bed so that you can remove everything every night.
  • Applying perfumes, lotions, oils, makeup, or hair products
  • Cooking, baking, or doing dishes
  • Cleaning, especially with bleach or other harsh chemicals
  • Swimming
  • Gardening
  • Painting, throwing pottery, etc.

Avoiding impact, pressure, and extreme temperatures is crucial to the maintenance of your jewelry. Gold, gemstones, and even diamonds can chip, crack, scuff, or scratch if they’re knocked hard enough or at the wrong angle against another object. Harsh chemicals such as bleach can pit metals and weaken settings, causing loose or lost stones. Chlorinated water can also react chemically with metals, changing the color or weakening settings. Even something as simple as extended time spent in water can harm jewelry, even if the damage is not immediately apparent.

Depending on your lifestyle and occupation, it may not be best to wear your jewelry during working hours. Direct contact with potentially damaging materials is a daily reality for many. Professionals in the food, art, or medical industries, for example, may use their hands much more actively than those with office jobs. Please consider our care instructions and decide whether your workplace is safe for your jewelry.

Important Information About Stones

For any pieces with stones, especially rings, we recommend having the tightness of the stones checked regularly by a professional. Depending on the amount of wear the piece receives, stones should be checked every four to six months. Stones should also be checked more frequently at home. You can use a simple pinhead to gently tap the surface and sides of the stone and see if they move or glint in the light. If even one stone is moving, refrain from wearing the piece until it can be tightened.

Micro Pavé

Micro pavé-set stones require a bit of extra care from their owner to prevent loss. Stones should be checked at least every month in the beginning, until you get used to the frequency with which your stones loosen. Never wear a micro pavé piece that has a loose stone, as it’s highly likely that there is at least one other loose stone.

Turquoise

Turquoise is beautiful, but it is not indestructible! It is a soft and porous stone that can be susceptible to breakage depending on the lifestyle and care practices of the wearer. You will have the best results with turquoise if you follow our care instructions and remove turquoise pieces when appropriate. Our turquoise cabochons are secured both by jeweler’s epoxy and prongs, but that does not make them completely invulnerable to cracks, chips, or lost stones. It is not unusual to replace or reset turquoise during the lifespan of a piece of jewelry.

Natural turquoise may change color slightly with age, becoming greener and more variable in tone. This is a totally normal process, and the amount of change can depend upon the body chemistry of the wearer. Improper care, however, can cause a quicker, more noticeable change. Liquids such as lotions, perfumes, oils, or cleaners can accelerate the color change and weaken the stone or setting. If contact with these liquids occurs, clean gently with your fingertips, soap, and lukewarm water.

Other Special Stones and Materials

Emeralds are especially fragile due to naturally-occurring inclusions. Emerald pieces should be worn with meticulous attention to our care instructions. Emeralds can also be treated with oils to reduce the appearance of inclusions if preferred. This does not make the stone less fragile.

Opals, like turquoise, are very soft stones. They are approximately as hard as glass, so they should also be worn with special attention to our care instructions, including storage. Opals can become dry if stored improperly. They are best stored in a soft cotton cloth, or with a piece of cotton wool dabbed with a few drops of water. Opals are also vulnerable to cracking if exposed to rapid changes in temperature.

Diamonds fall at the opposite end of the hardness spectrum—they are among the hardest materials on earth. They are so hard that they may cause damage to other jewelry worn around them. For example, it would be best not to wear a diamond ring next to or on the same finger as an opal ring. A diamond can also damage a metal setting if it is loose, which is why it’s best to check for loose stones regularly and have them tightened as needed.

Cloisonne AKA enamel is a fine layer of glass formed over the metal in a recess. It can crack and chip when bumped, and therefore must be treated with care.

Earrings

Please do not wear your earrings if the backs are too loose from wear. Dream Collective replaces loose backs free of charge. We also offer screw-back posts if you’d prefer a little extra security. Please inquire with our store staff for screw-back pricing.

Cleaning

Polish your jewelry with a lint-free, 100% cotton cloth. Gentle brushing with lukewarm water, soap, and a soft toothbrush is also recommended. Always check the tightness of stones before and after cleaning, especially when using a steam cleaner. Never use an ultrasonic cleaner on micro pave stones, opals, emeralds, or turquoise. Do not brush turquoise—use your fingers to clean.

Storage

Ideally, jewelry should be stored securely in a fabric or leather-lined box. Pieces can also be wrapped in soft fabric. We recommend keeping an up-to-date inventory of your collection, including photographs and any appraisals, in the event that an insurance claim or police report needs to be filed.