The mussels and clams that reside in rivers produce river pearls. These freshwater sea creatures can produce dozens of pearl simultaneously. For thousands of years, local freshwater pearls from Europe, Asia and North America have been coveted the world over.

Garnets are mined from the Western Range of Colombia’s Andean System. Ranging from a hardness of 7.0 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale, garnets are also found in the U.S. (Arizona), South Africa, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Myanmar (Burma), Scotland, Switzerland and Tanzania.

The porous nature of pearls demands extra care. To maintain their luster: 1) avoid exposure to household chemicals like hair spray, perfume and cleaning products; 2) wipe them gently with a warm damp cloth to remove body oils and perspiration; 3) when storing, keep them separate from other gemstones and metals that may scratch them.

Garnets can be cleaned with warm soapy water and a soft brush but they should be rinsed well. Exposure to harsh temperatures, chemicals and sharp blows should be avoided.

950 silver should be stored in an airtight container with a soft lining. Cleaning with soap and water and buffing with a soft cloth will keep your 950 silver shiny as new. Avoid exposure of your 950 silver to abrasive cleansers and bleach, which may cause discoloration.