Your beautiful jewelry and accessories can lose their shine and luster, because of the oils in the skin, and improper storing. Here are some tips for cleaning your jewelry and keeping them looking their best. Although platinum jewelry is the strongest and most resistant to damage, with a few simple steps, even your sterling silver jewelry will be shiny and beautiful years after you bought them.
How to remove spots
You may notice dark spots in your silver or gold necklaces or bracelets. This can be caused by chemicals in your moisturizer or lotion (for example, skin lightening products contain a bleach-like substance that can darken jewelry). It can also be worsened by contact with water, like when you wash your hands.
Prevent dark spots by taking off jewelry when you do household errands or wash your hands, and always clean jewelry before storing (use a wet flannel). Hyposulphite solution can also remove existing dark spots.
How to remove dust
Intricate jewelry settings or any piece with stones or carvings can collect dust. Regularly wipe jewelry with a cotton bud with a little cologne, and then simultaneously dry and polish the piece with a flannel, lint-free cloth.
How to clean gemstones
Hard stones like diamond, emerald, topaz and sapphire can be cleaned in any washing powder with an old, soft toothbrush. Rinse off the suds with distolled water. Softer stones like turquoise, opal and moonstone can be cleaned with a gentle soap. Coral and pearls, the most delicate stones, should not be washed in soap or hot water. Instead, use a mild alcohol and water solution (with a ratio of 1:1) and dry them off immediately with a soft flannel.
How to clean metals
There are special washing powders for metal jewelry . It’s best to buy one (a bottle lasts you a long time) since these won’t corrode the jewelry. Some people use toothpaste to clean gold jewelry. To clean silver, line aluminum foil in a plastic bucket, then fill it with hot water. Place fresh baking soda (it should start foaming). Let silver jewelry sit in this solution for half an hour.
How to store jewelry
Always store jewelry in a dark, dry place. Never leave them in the bathroom, since the moisture can cause the jewelry to tarnish. And keep gemstones out of direct sunligvht, since pearls and topazes can lose their luster when exposed to ultraviolet rays.
Store jewelry pieces separately since they can scratch and dent each other.
Environmental exposure
Don’t wear jewelry when you swim in the pool (the chlorine can really damage gold, making it very weak and prone to breaking), and high temperatures like saunas.
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