You've just purchased a beautiful piece of jewelry - just the one you've been
looking for to complement your favorite outfit. How do you keep it looking
great for years to come? Here are some things you can do at home to keep
your jewelry looking like new.
Store your jewelry carefully. Don't overcrowd pieces in a jewelry box or
drawer. This could result in chipping, scratching or bending. Leaving sterling
jewelry exposed to air will tarnish it. Ideally, individual pieces should be
stored in soft pouches, or in some cases, small zip lock bags to prevent
tarnish. Remove jewelry during housework, gardening, swimming,
showering, or sleeping. Wait until after applying makeup, perfume or hair
spray to put on jewelry.
Most jewelry can be cleaned with mild dish soap in lukewarm water. Use a
soft toothbrush to gently remove dirt, if needed. Then rinse thoroughly in
cool water and dry carefully on a soft towel. Some stones are very fragile and
can be damaged by ordinary cleaners. Examples are amber, turquoise,
peridot, pearls, malachite, emeralds, jet, coral, and mother of pearl. These
should just be wiped with a damp cloth. If you're not sure about the identity
of your stone or if it can be cleaned safely at home, make sure to ask a
professional.
Here's another method to clean and remove tarnish from metal jewelry:
Ingredients:
1 glass jar or bowl (large enough for pieces to lie without touching if cleaning
more than one at a time)
1C hot water (heat in microwave for a minute or two)
1 TBS baking soda
1 TBS salt
1 TBS dish washing liquid
1 piece aluminum foil (big enough to cover the bottom of jar or bowl - shiny
side up)
1 plastic spoon
1 towel
Instructions:
Place aluminum foil in bottom of jar or bowl. Pour in hot water. Add remaining
ingredients. Stir slightly. Place jewelry on top of foil (without touching) and let
sit for 5 to 10 minutes. Remove jewelry with plastic spoon and rinse in cool
water. Dry jewelry thoroughly (but carefully) on a towel . Use this for
gold-filled, brass, German (nickel) silver, or sterling silver jewelry. This
method has been used to clean jewelry with freshwater pearls, shell cameos
and mother of pearl with no damage.
Sources:
Peter Rowe United Artworks http://unitedartworks.com
The Altobelli Jewelers http://www.altobelli.com
Alaskan Dreamer Enterprises http://www.akdreamer.com/
looking for to complement your favorite outfit. How do you keep it looking
great for years to come? Here are some things you can do at home to keep
your jewelry looking like new.
Store your jewelry carefully. Don't overcrowd pieces in a jewelry box or
drawer. This could result in chipping, scratching or bending. Leaving sterling
jewelry exposed to air will tarnish it. Ideally, individual pieces should be
stored in soft pouches, or in some cases, small zip lock bags to prevent
tarnish. Remove jewelry during housework, gardening, swimming,
showering, or sleeping. Wait until after applying makeup, perfume or hair
spray to put on jewelry.
Most jewelry can be cleaned with mild dish soap in lukewarm water. Use a
soft toothbrush to gently remove dirt, if needed. Then rinse thoroughly in
cool water and dry carefully on a soft towel. Some stones are very fragile and
can be damaged by ordinary cleaners. Examples are amber, turquoise,
peridot, pearls, malachite, emeralds, jet, coral, and mother of pearl. These
should just be wiped with a damp cloth. If you're not sure about the identity
of your stone or if it can be cleaned safely at home, make sure to ask a
professional.
Here's another method to clean and remove tarnish from metal jewelry:
Ingredients:
1 glass jar or bowl (large enough for pieces to lie without touching if cleaning
more than one at a time)
1C hot water (heat in microwave for a minute or two)
1 TBS baking soda
1 TBS salt
1 TBS dish washing liquid
1 piece aluminum foil (big enough to cover the bottom of jar or bowl - shiny
side up)
1 plastic spoon
1 towel
Instructions:
Place aluminum foil in bottom of jar or bowl. Pour in hot water. Add remaining
ingredients. Stir slightly. Place jewelry on top of foil (without touching) and let
sit for 5 to 10 minutes. Remove jewelry with plastic spoon and rinse in cool
water. Dry jewelry thoroughly (but carefully) on a towel . Use this for
gold-filled, brass, German (nickel) silver, or sterling silver jewelry. This
method has been used to clean jewelry with freshwater pearls, shell cameos
and mother of pearl with no damage.
Sources:
Peter Rowe United Artworks http://unitedartworks.com
The Altobelli Jewelers http://www.altobelli.com
Alaskan Dreamer Enterprises http://www.akdreamer.com/
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| Teresa Oller JJ Jewels © Copyright 2005-09 All images and designs are property of JJ Jewels and should not be used or copied without consent. All rights reserved. |
| About JJ Jewels |
JJ Jewels came about from two major focuses
of my life: my two boys (the two J's) and
earrings. For some women, it's shoes. Not me.
For me, it's earrings - funky, unique, whatever
matches my mood and/or outfit, those are the
earrings I need.
I'd always had an artsy/craftsy side, and when
my friend Jenny took me to a little hippie
tie-dye/bead shop several years ago to make
our own jewelry, I was hooked. I took classes
and read whatever I could find on jewelry
making. Years later, I'm still learning and
creating. My pieces lean toward the casual, yet
polished - something to add a spark to the
everyday. Let a JJ Jewel pick you!
Thanks for stopping by,
Teresa Oller
of my life: my two boys (the two J's) and
earrings. For some women, it's shoes. Not me.
For me, it's earrings - funky, unique, whatever
matches my mood and/or outfit, those are the
earrings I need.
I'd always had an artsy/craftsy side, and when
my friend Jenny took me to a little hippie
tie-dye/bead shop several years ago to make
our own jewelry, I was hooked. I took classes
and read whatever I could find on jewelry
making. Years later, I'm still learning and
creating. My pieces lean toward the casual, yet
polished - something to add a spark to the
everyday. Let a JJ Jewel pick you!
Thanks for stopping by,
Teresa Oller
| About Jewelry Care and Cleaning |
| JJ Jewels jewelry with a personal touch |
