The first time my new mother-in-law saw my diamond engagement ring, she took me aside after we'd finished washing dinner dishes and showed me how to clean my ring to keep it sparkling as new. I paid close attention to what she said because she is an antiques dealer, with a specialty in fine jewelry. Having survived The Great Depression, my frugal mother-in-law advised me not to spend money on expensive jewelry cleaners and, instead, simply use what I already have at home to clean all of my jewelry. She also advised me how to care for my other jewelry, pointing out that I need to remove gem-containing rings when washing dishes or using harsh chemicals. That exchange occurred nearly ten years ago, and my rings and jewelry still look brand new because I still follow her wise advice.
You probably already have everything you need to clean all of your jewelry. That list includes:
Follow these cleaning instructions for jewelry set precious metals such as gold and silver, and for real gems, fine synthetic diamonds such as cubic zircons and Diamonique, set in precious metals. Do not follow these instructions for rhinestones or costume jewelry. To clean gold and gems, follow these steps:
You don't need silver cleaners or paste to clean silver jewelry. To clean precious silver, follow these steps:
Take care when using ammonia, as the fumes can be overpowering. Store your diamonds away from softer gems such as pearls, since diamonds can scratch other gems. Have your settings and pronged jewelry checked periodically by a jeweler to make sure they are tight. Never wear jewelry when using harsh household cleaners. Remove gold jewelry when lifting heavy items, as gold will bend.
Remove Stubborn Stains Quickly Get everything looking clean again: Walls, floors, baseboards, counters, blinds, appliances, and more. Micro-scrubbers easily reach into surface grooves, lifting dirt away. This low-cost 8-pack is great for stubborn stains and touble areas. Check out Mr. Clean Magic Eraser 8-Pack today!
Jewelry boxes are an excellent way to protect jewelry, but they work best (and look the best) when they are properly ...
Discover MoreOne of the more annoying facts about jewelry is that no matter what you try, they seem to still get dirty. What's ...
Discover MoreWhen taken care of properly, silver jewelry can easily become an heirloom that is passed on from generation to ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in Cleaning Tips from Tips.Net. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in Cleaning Tips from Tips.Net. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2024 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Comments