JEWELRY CARE

Genius Gewelz designs are made with high quality glass beads, semi-precious stones and Swarovski crystals that will last you a lifetime. The silver- and gold-plated accents may tarnish with age, so we would like to supply you with some simple tips to help preserve your jewelry.

Avoiding any contact with chemicals is highly recommended. Do not wear your jewelry while cleaning house, swimming, exercising, gardening, bathing or applying makeup. These particular actions usually involve using chemicals and along with sweat and perspiration will over time leave a film behind, dulling the color and shine.

To help prevent the silver and gold from tarnishing, we recommend storing your jewelry pieces in zip lock bags, a jewelry box or jewelry case with the lid closed. You may also clean the beads by using a soft, damp cloth.

JEWELRY FACTS

Here are some interesting tidbits about the types of beads and semi-precious stones used in Genius Gewelz designs:

Glass Beads

There are millions of types of glass beads. These are just a few used in Genius Gewelz designs.

Lampwork Beads: These beads are handcrafted by melting glass with a flame torch. Shapes, colors and sizes vary, giving each its own individual characteristic. These are usually handmade and more expensive than regular glass beads.

Fire Polished: Fire polishing is a less expensive way of polishing cut glass. In this process, heat is used to smooth the outer surface of the cut glass. In general, fire polished beads are faceted. Many fire polished beads are made in the Czech Republic.

Seed Bead: Seed beads are a type of small bead. Seed beads are often made of colored glass and are inexpensive beads. These beads range in size from 1 mm to less than 3 mm in thickness.

Fiber Optic Beads: Also known as cat’s eyes, these bead change hue as they capture light. They get their name from the strip of light that runs down the center of the bead, resembling a cat’s eye, and come in various colors.

Tiger's Eye: Similar to the cat's eye, it has a changeable luster but is usually yellow to red-brown in color with a silky and fibrous sheen.

Swarovski Crystal: Fired using a combination of natural minerals and quartz sand, then cooled slowly to avoid stress and inclusions. Crystal quality is dependent on the production method and the processing of the raw material. Both factors play a major role in determining its brilliance and the measure of its value. They come in many colors that and various shapes and sizes.

Semi-Precious Stones

Hematite: Hematite is a silvery, shiny opaque stone that almost looks like metal. Hematite is a mineral appearing as metallic gray, red gray and red brown with a metallic luster.

Jade: Refers to two similar but very different physical matters, Jadeite and Nephrite. Jadeite is composed of crystals that are very tough and Nephrite is composed of fibrous materials. Not only is Jade known for is tough demeanor, beauty and warmth but was also utilized by the Chinese to prevent illnesses.

Jasper: Jasper is usually dark green, semi-translucent and, at times when in a clay consistency, appears to take on a yellowish white or graay appearance. When mixed with goethite, it becomes more of a brown or yellow shade. Its durability and other physical properties are very similar to the characteristics of quartz. Jasper is known for strengthening the stomach and thought to drive away evil spirits and protect against snake and spider bites.

Malachite: Malachite comes from the Greek word "mallow," a green herb. The dark and light green stripes are unique to this stone and sometimes coated with colorless wax, oil, or hardening agents to increase its durability and enhance its appearance.

Onyx: Onyx is a chalcedony composed of relatively straight, parallel layers of different colors. When the dark layers are brown or brownish red, it is often called Sardonyx. Onyx is a form of agate with parallel banding. It was once said to alleviate hostilities, irritability and melancholy amongst the Native Americans.

Quartz: Quartz is a very common stone and varies in terms of varieties, colors and forms such as amethyst, citrine, milky quartz, rock crystal, rose and smoky quartz. Its unique composition involves corkscrewing (helix) chains of silicon tetrahedrons. Fine quartzes are known for their crystal tradition and durability.

Turquoise: Turquoise spawns the colors of blue to blue-green by combining the minerals of aluminum and copper. However, it is worth more in polished blue form. Turquoise is believed to help prevent diseases and assists in tissue regeneration, subtle body alignment and strengthening. It also brings prosperity and attracts healing spirits.