Quality jewelry both new and old requires proper maintenance to keep it looking beautiful.
To look its best, antique and heirloom jewelry requires periodic maintenance. Have pearl necklaces and bracelets checked by a jeweler to determine whether they need restringing. Precious stones on brooches, earrings, necklaces, bracelets and rings should be checked periodically to be sure settings are tight. This is especially true for vintage or heirloom pieces. All pieces should be cleaned periodically with appropriate tools and cleaning agents. For items that require brushing or scrubbing, a child’s soft toothbrush works well. Never use paper towels for drying, especially on softer metals or stones. For some kinds of jewelry, like turquoise and silver, the best way to keep it looking its best is to wear it frequently. Others such as pearls need to be wiped after each wearing. Here are some tips for keeping your baubles brilliant.
Diamonds . . .
Are forever, and deserve to sparkle. The hardest known stone, diamonds should be stored so that they can’t scratch each other. Keep this in mind when you throw them in your traveling jewelry pouch. To clean, soak your diamonds in a solution of two parts warm water and one part ammonia for 3 or 4 minutes. Rinse with warm clear water, and pat dry with a soft cloth.
Sapphires, Peridots, Rubies, Amythysts
Immerse in a mixture of warm water and mild dishwashing liquid (soap should be free of softeners-check the label) Scrub gently with a soft brush or soft cloth. Rinse with clear water and pat dry.
Emeralds
Dip in clear water at room temperature and brush gently. Air dry. DO NOT use warm water or any type of soap. Have your emerald periodically checked by a jeweler.
Opals
Handle gently, as opals are prone to chipping! Use a soft, soapy (mild dishwashing) cloth, then rinse and air dry.
Turquoise, Lapis and Coral
Wipe frequently with a soft, dry cloth. Turquoise is porous, so never use any kind of soap or solution for cleaning. Your best bet is to wear and clean your turquoise frequently, especially if it is set in silver. Silver polish can damage turquoise, but frequent wearing and handling keeps silver from tarnishing.
Pearls
Both real and cultured pearls are delicate and lose their luster easily. Be sure to apply lotions and perfumes before putting them on. Wipe them with a clean, soft, moist cloth after every wearing, and lay them flat to air dry, being careful not to stretch the string. Clean them periodically with a brush dipped in warm water with mild soap, and work the brush around the pearls. Wipe with a wet cloth, and dry as above.
Gold, White Gold, Platinum
Dip in warm, sudsy water, rinse and pat dry. For more thorough cleaning, use a soft brush.
Silver
Use non-abrasive commercial silver polish and/or a impregnated cloth designed for silver. Be sure to clean polish and polish residue out of crevices. Buff gently, and NEVER use paper towels or tissues, as they will scratch the soft metal. T-shirt rags or old, soft linen tea towels work well.
