Tips on caring for your jewelry from the best jewelers in Phoenix
Jewelry certainly is beautiful but it is also one of the best long term valuable purchases you can make. Your jewelry pieces will require maintenance to prevent them from becoming tarnished or damaged but the work is well worth it.
Jewelry upkeep tasks include proper cleaning and storage so that the items will last and retain their sparkle. Keep reading for tips on the right way to clean your jewelry pieces.
Your jewelry should never be put away dirty. Make sure to gently wipe off any dirt you can see every day. Skin oils and debris can build up and damage metals and gemstones. Oils from lotions will add to this. Metals will lose luster and look tarnished while gemstones can lose surface particles and also lose their luster.
For those precious jewelry pieces that you only wear for special occasions, they must be cleaned before you put them away after use. If you skip that necessary step you won’t like their condition the next time you want to wear them. Metals will be tarnished, maybe even green, and gemstones will be dull.
One simple cleaning method is to place lukewarm water in a bowl and add a few drops of mild dishwashing soap. Do not use dishwasher detergents as they are too harsh. Have a clean, old, soft toothbrush (the one you no longer use to brush your teeth) handy to use to very delicately brush off dirt and debris. Take the extra minute to look over each piece for any loose stones or a malfunctioning clasp so that you can take action to get the piece repaired before the next time you want to wear it. Nothing is more disappointing than finding out you can’t wear a certain item when you want to because it is in disrepair. Gently pat dry the jewelry using a lint-free cloth and be sure it is completely dry before putting it into its storage spot.
You need not purchase an ultrasonic cleaner. In fact it is safer to allow a jeweler to do the ultrasonic cleaning so that they can watch carefully for problems that the ultrasonic waves can unmask and highlight that you may not recognize.
In fact, your fine jewelry deserves to be professionally cleaned and inspected at least once a year. You can return to the jeweler where you purchased the item or find a place close to you, it doesn’t matter. Ask friends for suggestions of a good jeweler if you are new to the area. The important thing is to give your jewelry the care it deserves.
Silver polish can be used at home to clean up silver jewelry. An easy, at-home method of clearing tarnish from silver uses a pan, aluminum foil, baking soda, salt, and water. Line the pan with the aluminum foil. Place the jewelry in the pan. Sprinkle baking soda and salt over the jewelry, approximately 1 tablespoon of each per cup of water you plan to use. Next pour boiling water into the pan until the items are just covered with water. Let everything sit for about 3 to 5 minutes. Use a clean, soft toothbrush to clean any spots where dirt and tarnish may need a little help to come off. You will be able to see when the tarnish is gone. Remove the jewelry from the pan and rinse. Then pat it dry with a lint-free cloth. Be sure the jewelry is dry before putting it into its storage spot.
Silver jewelry only needs cleaning about twice each year. Be careful not to over-polish your silver jewelry pieces as polishing too often will actually damage your jewelry and significantly shorten its lifespan.
E. D. Marshal Jewelers is one of the best jewelers in Phoenix. We are here to answer any of your jewelry cleaning questions as well as provide professional cleaning and repair of your fine jewelry. Make a trip at least once a year to see us. Bring your fine jewelry and we will give all your pieces the yearly attention that they need to keep them at their best for many years to come.
Comments
Post a Comment