| To ensure that jewellery
remains in pristine condition, jewelry care should include
proper maintenance and storage. Often jewellery isn't treated
with the care that it requires, which results in tarnished,
damaged, jewelry.
For instance, silver and gold jewelry will gradually oxidize
and tarnish over time when exposed to air, and other tarnishing
agents such as residues from lotions, powders, soaps and natural
skin oils. To prevent oxidation, jewellery can be stored in
tightly sealed plastic ziploc bags. However do not store pearls
in plastic. Otherwise jewelry cases lined with fabric or acid
free paper work well also.
Contact with chemicals, including bleach should be avoided,
as they can damage jewelry over time. Pearl necklaces and
bracelets should be checked by a jeweller to decide whether
they need re-stringing. All pieces should be cleaned periodically,
with the appropriate cleaning agents. A soft child's toothbrush
is most effective for brushing or scrubbing jewelry. Paper
towels should never be used for drying jewellery. Pearls need
to be wiped after each wear.
Additional guidelines for gemstone maintenance and
precious metal care:
Turquoise, Lapis and Coral: Wipe often with
a soft dry cloth, don' t use anything on turquoise, such as
soap or cleansers, as it will damage the stone.
Opals: Opals are prone to scratching and
chipping, so store, wash and wear carefully. Use a soft mild
soap on a cloth and rinse and air dry.
Pearls: pearls tend to lose their luster,
quickly if not handled carefully, keep away from lotions and
perfumes (generally applying them prior to donning the jewelry,
helps to keep them pristine). Wipe with a clean, soft moist
cloth after every wearing and lay flat to air dry. Occasionally
they can be cleaned with a soft brush and mild soapy water,
and then wiped with a wet cloth and dried.
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Opals: Opals
are prone to scratching and chipping, so store, wash and wear
carefully. Use a soft mild soap on a cloth and rinse and air
dry.
Sapphires, Peridots, Rubies and Amythyst:
These stones can be washed in a mixture of warm water, and
mild dishwashing liquid (check the soap label to make sure
that it doesn't contain softeners). Scrub the stones with
a very soft brush, rinse with clean water and pat dry.
Emeralds: wash in clear room temperature
water and brush gently. Air dry, do not wash in warm water
or with soap.
Diamonds: diamonds must be stored separately,
as they can scratch each other. They can be cleansed in a
solution of 2 parts warm water to 1 part ammonia for 3-4 minutes
and rinsed with warm clean water and patted dry with a soft
clean cloth. Don't clean diamond jewelry that has other stones
set into it with ammonia, as some stones are considerably
more delicate than diamonds.
Gold, White Gold, Platinum: dip in warm
soapy water, rinse in clean water and pat dry, use a soft
brush if more extensive cleansing is required.
Silver: Only use a commercial silver polish,
or a silver polishing cloth, after polishing, ensure that
all polish is removed and then softly buff to a shine. Never
use paper towels and tissues as they will scratch soft metals.
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