How To Maintain Your Precious Jewels
July 29, 2008
Women love to collect jewellery but they must also learn how to maintain it. Here are a few tips on how to look after and keep your precious jewellery collection in mint conditions.Sterling Silver & 14-kt Gold
Both tend to tarnish over time, to prevent tarnishing store your sterling silver and 14-kt gold jewellery in zip lock bags to protect it. This will not stop it from getting discoloured, but will drastically slow down the process. Use a polishing cloth to clean your jewellery whenever necessary.
Semi-Precious Stones And Crystals Jewellery
Store all semi-precious stones and crystal jewellery in zip lock bags. Check instructions on the jewellery cleaning solution before placing any jewellery with stones in it for cleaning. Remember turquoise and freshwater pearls cannot be placed in most jewellery cleaning solutions. Remove jewellery when showering or washing dishes. Be careful when wearing lotions and perfumes, as gems can get discoloured, especially turquoise.
Diamonds
Help diamonds maintain their natural sparkle by:
Storing them individually in soft cloth pouches to prevent them bumping against each other. Though diamonds are the hardest naturally occurring substance on Earth, they can still chip. Clean diamonds regularly with soap and water, as dust, skin oil, and other substances can cause them to lose their sparkle. Air dry and polish with a soft cloth to retain that mesmerising sparkle. Remove dirt from diamonds by occasionally brushing with a worn, soft-bristled toothbrush to remove dirt from between crevices. A weak solution of ammonia and water (about one part to four parts) and a soft brush can be used for more resistant blemishes.
Protect metal jewellery settings by treating them gently as gold can scratch. Also, regularly ask your jeweller to make sure your diamonds sit tight in their settings to help prevent stones from falling out. You can also have them professionally cleaned as a jeweller can clean diamonds with steam or ultrasound, though ultrasound worsens internal fissures or flaws.
Pearls
Classic pearls need help to keep their polish. Store them properly in a soft cloth away from other jewellery, as they are not as hard as mineral gemstones. When dressing, put on pearls last, only after applying hairspray, cosmetics, perfume or other potentially harmful substances that might stain them.
Do not clean pearls with any type of solvent or abrasive. To best maintain your pearls, wipe them after use with a soft cloth, like the one used for eyeglasses. Unlike chemicals, the oils from your skin actually help keep pearls moist, so even soapy water is unnecessary for cleaning pearls.
Professionals recommend that pearls must be restrung every few years, as strings as can wear down and break if not maintained.
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