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How to Clean Your Jewelry Safely
by Harland Gettig
http://www.rittyjewelry.com
If you want to keep your precious jewelry looking
great for years to come you~ll want learn how to
clean each piece safely and easily. Different types
of jewelry require different cleaning techniques
since they are each composed of their own elements
and compositions of metal. You~ll need to learn
how to maintain and clean your jewelry so that each
separate piece gets the care that it needs.
Gold is one of the most common types of metal in
jewelry. The easiest way to clean gold jewelry is to
soak in a solution of water and dish soap for about
30 minutes. Once the 30 minutes is up gently scrub
the gold with a toothbrush. If your gold jewelry
also contains other metals or stones, be careful not
to scratch them with the toothbrush. Also be aware
that gold can be harmed when subjected to
chlorinated water, so be sure to take all jewelry off.
Silver is another common metal in jewelry, and as
with gold it should be kept out of chlorinated water.
If your silver is in good condition, you can easily
clean it by running it under warm water and then
drying. However, if your silver is tarnished, you
will need a special cleaner that can be purchased at
any grocery or jewelry store. Tarnish cleaner
comes in either a liquid solution or a paste. When
using the paste, only use a cloth to clean the silver
since a brush of any sort can scratch the surface of
the silver.
Pearls are another type of jewelry that must be
cleaned very carefully to avoid scratching the
surface. Rather than soaking the pearls in any
solution (this can weaken the string), simply clean
with a damp cloth that has been dipped in dish soap
and water. Be sure to put your pearls in once you
are ready to go out since perfume and hairspray can
discolor the pearls.
Most precious stones such as diamonds, emeralds,
rubies, and sapphires should also be cleaned using a
gentle dish soap and water solution. Never use
anything abrasive or harsh on your jewelry since the
risk of scratching is great. Always remember to be
gentle with your jewelry.
If you have some hard to clean pieces of jewelry, or
ones that just won~t come clean, take them to a
jeweler. For a small fee you~ll have your favorite
jewelry looking new again.
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