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Caring for Jewelry

TIPical Mary Ellen : Episode TIP-412 -- More Projects »
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Wash pearl jewelry in a solution of mild soap and water. This should remove the accumulation of perfumes, cosmetics and hair-care products.
Mark Moeller of R.F. Moeller Jeweler shares tips on cleaning and caring for jewelry.
  • Always keep a large safety pin near the kitchen sink for a handy ring-holder while doing the dishes. Simply slip rings on the open pin and attach to a shirt or other piece of clothing. Securely fasten the pin and forget worrying about losing rings down the drain.

  • To remove oily buildup, dip gold jewelry in plain rubbing alcohol or vodka before soaking.

  • Don't wear jewelry when doing strenuous work. Though a diamond is durable, it can be damaged if it is hit by another hard object.

  • Don't let diamond jewelry come in contact with a chlorine bleach product when cleaning around the house. It can damage the gold and discolor the mounting. Chlorine bleach also creates an oxidizing effect on silver, turning it black. The oxidation can be removed with a cleaning solution of mild liquid soap and warm water.

  • Store diamonds in a jewelry box with specific compartments for each piece. If a jewelry box is not available, wrap each piece individually in tissue paper to help prevent pieces from scratching one another.

  • An easy way to clean diamond jewelry is to prepare a bath of one cup warm water, one cup ammonia and two or three drops of liquid dish soap. Brush the piece with an eyebrow brush while in the sudsy water. Transfer the jewelry to a tea strainer and rinse under running water. When finished rinsing, pat dry with a soft, lint-free cloth.

  • A quick and easy way to clean gold jewelry at home is to use a soft chamois cloth from any hardware store. This will keep pieces clean and shiny.

  • To clean a piece of pearl jewelry, wash it with mild soap and water. This should remove all traces of perfume, cosmetics, or hair-care products that have accumulated. Do not use chemicals or abrasives to clean the piece.

  • Pearls should be restrung every 10 to 25 years, as the organic silk many pearls are strung with can break down. A jeweler or a restringing specialist should do the restringing.

  • It is important to care for earrings each day. Use rubbing alcohol to clean each ear post before wearing. Use a cotton ball to wipe each post clean. Also, do not wear earrings to bed, as this could damage the ear or the jewelry.

  • Opals are very soft stones. To cleanse, rinse them with plain water and the bright colors will be restored. To make their color last longer, soak the pieces in mineral oil overnight.

  • A little non-abrasive toothpaste can clean silver jewelry if silver polish is not available. Dab some on the item and rub with a damp cloth, buffing any excess off with a clean cloth.

Guests
Mark Moeller
Gemologist / Certified Jewelry Appraiser, R.F. Moeller Jeweler
2073 Ford Parkway
St. Paul, MN 55116
Phone: 651-698-6321
Website: www.rfmoeller.com
Also in this Episode
TIPical Mary Ellen : Episode TIP-412
•Making Veggie Burgers
•Recycling Trash
•Caring for Jewelry
•Tip of the Day
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