Caring for and Cleaning Your Jewelry

Jewelry care and cleaning takes a little thought and a little time. But considering the time and expense of finding and purchasing these little highlights of life, and the sentimental value of jewelry gifts, it is well worth it to take a few minutes once in a while to care for them.

When removing jewelry, always set it in a protective container- especially when taking them off at the sink! Countless precious rings have disappeared down the drain or through a heater vent! It can happen to you.

Have your jewelry checked for loose stones occasionally. You can shake the pieces yourself and listen for rattling noises, too, which indicate loose stones. Have a jeweler tighten the prongs if that occurs.

All jewelry should be handled with care. Even though we are dealing with metal and stones, damage can occur. Jewelry metals can be scratched, and gemstones can be cracked or chipped. Even diamonds can be damaged if hit! They will break along any flaw line. Teach your children to handle all jewelry gently. Sudden temperature changes can shatter stones. Steam, ovens, hot tubs, etc. should not be followed up with a rinse in cold water. At least not for the jewelry!

Gold is soft and scratches fairly easily. Both gold and platinum should be cleaned with a soft cloth rather than a brush. A mild detergent or sudsy ammonia are safe to use on gold and platinum, but do not get the ammonia on stones and pearls. Having it's own bag for storage also protects gold from scratches from other jewelry. Wear gloves while doing gardening or other activities that expose the jewelry to being rubbed against harsh materials.

It is best not to wear your jewelry when cleaning house or using other chemicals. They should also be removed before showering, shampooing, and using hairsprays, perfumes, and creams. These things can dull and damage your treasures. The chlorine in a swimming pool or hot tub can damage some metals, resulting in breakage of prongs and mountings. Never use bleach to clean jewelry. Even polishing compounds need to be washed off the jewelry after using.

One time saving tip: Sterling Silver and Gold Fill both tarnish, or oxidize, when exposed to air. Did you know that storing thoroughly dry jewelry in a small Ziploc bag will prevent tarnishing to a great degree?

Pearls, real or simulated, should not be dipped in jewelry cleaning chemicals.

Tip:  Document what jewelry you own with a photo. If it is lost or stolen, this will help you to remember what you had and prove it to the insurance company.

At all times, enjoy and appreciate what you have!

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