CARING FOR YOUR JEWELRY

One good reason why people are constantly drawn to buy and wear jewelry is simply beauty. What is more fascinating than intricately crafted gold earrings? What is more appealing than the sheer elegance of simple pearl stud earrings? Or who can resist an exquisite engagement ring with its dazzling one-carat diamond?

Yet, even with their natural charm and splendor, the jewelry pieces need some patience and tender loving care. And in return, we will be assured of pleasurable wear and endless beauty.

Here are simple yet effective means to care for and preserve jewelry:

Storage:

• Store jewelry in different compartments or wrap them separately so that they don't touch, as they can cut and scratch each other.

• Keep gold and silver chains from being tangled and knotted by storing them in an elongated box or hanging them at a chain keeper.

• Avoid putting jewelry near car dashboards, vents, or places that can be extremely hot.

• Store jewelry away from sunlight because the sun may fade colored gemstones.

• Lapis, pearls, and other bead necklaces are best stored flat.

• Wipe pearls dry before storing.

• Sterling silver is best wrapped in a nonabrasive polishing cloth.

• It is best to avoid storing jewelry for long periods of time in air tight containers because it may tend to oxidize or discolor.

Cleaning:

• Soft stones like opals can be rinsed with water.

• Opals, pearls, and ambers can be damaged when cleaned with soap.

• For other stones, a detergent bath can be used: Prepare a small bowl with warm suds of any of the mild liquid detergents used in the house. Brush the pieces with an eyebrow brush, rinse with warm water, and pat dry.

• Pearls should be wiped with a soft cloth after wearing to remove body oils and perfumes, which can spot the beads.

• Stones, except diamonds, will be damaged when put in boiling water.

• To clean diamonds, give a cool water soak: Make a half-and-half solution of cool water and household ammonia. Soak the pieces for about thirty minutes, after which, they should be drained on tissue paper.

• Jewelry needs periodic cleaning to remove films caused by soaps, cosmetics, and perfumes.

• Gemstones keep their luster with regular cleaning.

• Only hard stones such as diamonds, rubies, sapphires, and zircons may be safely cleaned with ultrasonic cleaners.

• All stones can be safely wiped with untreated cloth.

Wear:

• Avoid wearing jewelry to bed.

• Pearls love to be worn.  Keep them happy by wearing them next to your skin so that they can benefit from your natural body oils and become even more lustrous and beautiful.

• Avoid swimming or bathing with jewelry on.

• When traveling, the best way to carry jewelry, especially diamonds, is to wear them.

• Avoid wearing jewelry when gardening, working with bare hands, working with tools, or playing sports.

• Put jewelry on after washing, bathing, applying makeup, and hair products.

• Avoid subjecting gemstones to a sharp blow, which might crack or split the stone.

• Don't allow soap or dirt to accumulate at the back of a gemstone because it will absorb a considerable amount of incandescent light on the back facets, causing the stone to lose brilliance.