Jewelry Enhanced
By Frank Hague, Thu Dec 8th

Your jewelry is an important investment, and it retains itsappearance and value longer if it is properly cared for. Hereare some tips to ensure the long life of your gems.

How to Clean Gold Jewelry

Gold is tarnish-resistant, although it can get smudged andgrimy. Lotions, powders, soaps, even natural skin oils can coveryour jewelry and cut down on its brilliance. Jewelry cleaningremoves this residue and restores the original luster of yourjewelry.

Even though many commercial products are available to clean goldjewelry, a basic solution of detergent and water goes a long wayto restore the radiance of gold, and a soft brush helps togently clean intricate filigree designs and stones. Every nowand again it can be helpful to soak the gold jewelry in a mixureof 1 portion ammonia and 6 parts water for about a minute. Makesure to dry and polish your gold jewelry with a soft cloth orchamois afterwards.

Professional jewelry polishing cloths are an efficacious andinexpensive way of keeping your gold collection glittering andradiant. These treated cotton cloths help to dislodge tarnishand to buff jewelry to a brilliant shine.

Never wear jewelry in the swimming pool or while doing chores.Though gold is said to be non-reactive, the fact is that contactwith chemicals such as chlorine in pools or household cleanerswill discolor or even damage your gold jewelry mountings.

When you are not wearing your jewelry, proper storage isessential. Be careful that pieces don't tumble together in acrowded jewel box if you want to avoid scratching and loss ofradiance. Ideally, store your jewelry in a fabric-lined jewelcase, or even a compartmentalized box so that every piece ofjewelry resides in an individual soft cloth pouch. In dampclimates, storing jewelry in small resealable plastic bags canextend intervals between cleaning, especially for silver.

It's important to check the stone settings of your jewelrysometimes for any damage to the bezels or prongs. Immersing thejewelry in rubbing alcohol for a couple seconds will restore thegorgeous sparkle to cloudy stones. It's critical to dry thejewelry thoroughly after cleaning prior to wearing or evenstoring. Pave set (glued in stones) jewelry should never besoaked in water while cleaning gold jewelry, as these glues,especially those used in older jewelry, are often not waterproof.

Special Gems

Diamonds, sapphires and rubies are relatively hard, though thelater two can still sustain scratches. However, pearls, emeraldsand opals are softer and need a gentler touch. Emeralds andopals contain water in their matrix and may crack if they areallowed to dry out. Regular application of cod liver oil fromthe drugstore every few months is recommended by antique jewelydealers. Pearls should be worn frequently to expose them to skinoils. If they dry out, their luster will diminish, so don'tclean them with alcohol or detergents . Avoid exposing pearls tovinegar and other acids, as they will dissolve. To clean pearls,simply wipe them with a soft damp cloth.

Ultasonic Jewelry Cleaners

Do not use them on pearls and opals -- they will be damaged.

Silver

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Cleaner

Line a broad flat dish with tinfoil, then place your silverjewelry in the dish spaced out so they pieces do not touch. Mixtogether 4 cups of hot water with 4 tablespoons of baking soda.Pour this over the silver and leave for a few minutes untiltarnish is dissoved, then rinse and polish with a soft cloth.

Make sure you remove the silver as soon as it is clean, anddon't let it soak for hours as the electrolytic reaction willcontinue.

About the author:Frank Hague is interested in Jewelry and Diamondshttp://jewelry-cleaner.info - http://www.jewel-case.info -http://www.diamond-necklace.info -http://www.diamond-pendant.info - http://www.diamond-pink.info -http://www.italian-charm.info -http://www.italian-charms-now.info -http://www.diamonds-now.info - http://www.pearls-now.info