CARE AND CLEANING OF FINE JEWELRY

Does sterling silver require special care for cleaning?

Does sterling silver require special care for cleaning?

Clean your silver jewelry with mild soap and water. Allow the water to bead up, and then pat dry with a soft cloth. For more stubborn dirt, use a jewelry cleaner designed for silver use. Store silver jewelry in a cool, dry place – preferably in a tarnish-preventive bag or wrapped in a soft piece of felt or cloth. Make sure your silver is not exposed to air and light during storage: this can cause silver to tarnish. Do not rub silver with anything other than a polishing cloth or a fine piece of felt.
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IMPORTANT DO'S AND DONT'S

IMPORTANT DO'S AND DONT'S

  • DO store jewelry separately so it doesn’t scratch other jewelry.
  • DO get pearls restrung every two years or so.
  • DO check for loosened stones. With your index finger, gently tap the piece near your ear and listen for rattling.
  • DO clean fine jewelry often to maintain its beauty and sparkle.
  • DON’T wear rings when doing housework, exercise, or gardening.
  • DON’T put your jewelry on when washing your hands and applying any makeup or hair spray.
  • DON’T wear jewelry while swimming in a swimming pool. The chlorine can cause damage to various gemstones and gold. Gemstones may become loose in their settings and fall out.
  • DON’T use toothpaste to clean your jewelry. The abrasives can damage softer gems and metals.

As a rule, try to protect all of your jewelry from scratches, sharp blows, harsh chemicals, extreme temperatures and sunlight. Treat each piece of fine jewelry with respect and you will enjoy it forever.

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What’s the best way to clean fine jewelry?

What’s the best way to clean fine jewelry?

CLEANING

Rubbing the pieces you wear everyday with a soft chamois is an excellent – and easy – way to keep your jewelry sparkling.

For more intensive cleaning, fill a plastic bowl with tepid water and a little dishwashing soap or ammonia. Soak your jewelry for a few minutes and then scrub it gently with a toothbrush or other soft brush. Rinse and pat dry on a nice soft cloth that doesn’t have loose threads that could get stuck in prongs. A touch of ammonia in the rinse water will add sparkle to diamond, gold, or platinum jewelry.

Ultrasonic cleaners are great for easily cleaning jewelry with lots of nooks and crannies, but be aware that they can damage gemstones and the chemicals are not recommended for pearls. These machines are designed for certain gemstones that are not porous. Do not put emeralds, opals, pearls, or turquoise in an ultrasonic.

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