Fingerprints on Alhambra Bracelet?

[hhh10]

I purchased a cornelian bracelet from the boutique today and in the boutique I noticed there were some fingerprints on the motifs. I thought no problem I’ll just wipe them off when I get home. However, when I tried to wipe the fingerprints off with an eyeglass cleaning cloth, it seemed to exaggerate the prints more. Is this normal?

 

[waterlily112]

Carnelian and onyx are prone to showing finger prints so that's normal. I typically use the cleaning cloth that my SA gave me and wipe the stone in small circular motions, that seems to clean up the finger print and oil/dirt quite effectively.

 

[marbella8]

I wonder if there was lotion on your or the previous person’s fingers that touched the motifs, and if so, it’ll be harder to remove. You should read the care guide and see if you can use a tiny amount of soap to wash them and then wipe them dry with a soft cloth.

 

[hhh10]

Carnelian and onyx are prone to showing finger prints so that's normal. I typically use the cleaning cloth that my SA gave me and wipe the stone in small circular motions, that seems to clean up the finger print and oil/dirt quite effectively.

I asked for a cleaning cloth but the SA didn’t give me one, the best I had at home was the cloth for eyeglasses.

 

[hhh10]

I wonder if there was lotion on your or the previous person’s fingers that touched the motifs, and if so, it’ll be harder to remove. You should read the care guide and see if you can use a tiny amount of soap to wash them and then wipe them dry with a soft cloth.

I tried a tiny amount of water on the cloth but it’s still there. I didn’t expect the fingerprints to bother me this much but it’s just so frustrating that it’s not coming off.

 

[tlilrascal]

Maybe take it back to see if VCA can clean it for you. When I bought my first piece my SA offered to clean it for me anytime I want to bring it back in.

 

[marbella8]

I tried a tiny amount of water on the cloth but it’s still there. I didn’t expect the fingerprints to bother me this much but it’s just so frustrating that it’s not coming off.

I think it’s a good idea to take it right away to the store and have them clean it, so if it doesn’t clean, then they can exchange it with another one.

I had the same thing happen with a blue agate bracelet I tried. It really annoyed me, and the fact that it’s translucent was worse.

Maybe tomorrow you can wear it and keep looking at it for 5 or 10
minutes and see if this stone showing fingerprints will bother you. You may decide you need an all-good hammered bracelet instead. Those don’t show any wear. Good luck!

 

[waterlily112]

I asked for a cleaning cloth but the SA didn’t give me one, the best I had at home was the cloth for eyeglasses.

Oh I see. I mean you don't really need it. When I'm out and don't have the cleaning cloth with me, I just wipe the carnelian with my shirt (cotton/silk/wool all worked). Sometimes you need to apply a bit more pressure to the stone when wiping to get the gunk out, carnelian is a hardwearing stone so it should be fine. I noticed lotion/sunscreen marks tend to be a lot more stubborn to remove. But if that's still not working then like others suggested, bring it to the boutique to have the SA clean it for you.

 

[EpiFanatic]

Just use a little bit of warm water with dishwashing liquid and soak for a few minutes, rub like you would washing dishes and rinse. It should go away. Body oils keep dirt and dust and everything else on jewelry. You get rid of the oils and the dirt disappears.

 

[hhh10]

I went back to the boutique today and my SA was able to exchange it for me. I’m just going to learn to not look too closely at it from now on, it really is a fingerprint/dust magnet but it’s a beautiful piece.

 

[rikkuex]

My sweet carnelian pieces have the same - because the motif is so small, and the prongs "protrude" slightly, I find it impossible to actually get in there to clean/wipe the base of the stone! Vintage is easier to clean..

Anyone has tips on how to clean sweet stones?

 

[waterlily112]

My sweet carnelian pieces have the same - because the motif is so small, and the prongs "protrude" slightly, I find it impossible to actually get in there to clean/wipe the base of the stone! Vintage is easier to clean..

Anyone has tips on how to clean sweet stones?

I have the sweet carnelian pendant and use the VCA cleaning cloth for general cleaning/wiping. But with stubborn dirt & body oil I would use a mini beauty sponge to clean up the surface and around the edges with the pointy end. It's been working really well for me & I haven't feel the need to use water and/or dish soap yet, but I guess that can be an option too if you want to go for a deep clean. Hope this help!

 

[rikkuex]

I have the sweet carnelian pendant and use the VCA cleaning cloth for general cleaning/wiping. But with stubborn dirt & body oil I would use a mini beauty sponge to clean up the surface and around the edges with the pointy end. It's been working really well for me & I haven't feel the need to use water and/or dish soap yet, but I guess that can be an option too if you want to go for a deep clean. Hope this help!

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Oh we are double bracelet twins with the 6 motif too!! this is smart - I will see what I can use in the house! Maybe q tips will work. Thanks!

 

[waterlily112]

Oh we are double bracelet twins with the 6 motif too!! this is smart - I will see what I can use in the house! Maybe q tips will work. Thanks!

Yes we are I'd imagine q-tips would work just as well, especially the ones with the precision tips but let us know if it works! Good thing with the sweet size it's that finger prints & gunk don't look nearly as noticeable as they do on the VA size.