Interesting to see that caring for your jewelry is considered a “life skill” in this week’s Chicago Tribune. We totally agree. After all, your jewelry is an investment and should be maintained to the highest degree possible.
Diamonds: Mix one part ammonia with six parts lukewarm water and submerge your diamond jewelry in the solution for 10 to 20 minutes. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to scrub the jewelry. Rinse.
Gemstones: Gemstones such as sapphires, emeralds and rubies are softer than diamonds (and stones such as topaz, opals and amethysts are softer still), so take greater care when cleaning them. Dip a soft-bristled toothbrush into a mixture of lukewarm water and a few drops of mild dishwashing soap and scrub away the grime. Rinse. Don’t submerge gems in a solution for a long time because they are more porous than diamonds, and you can’t be sure how they will react.
Pearls: Polish with a jewelry polishing cloth. If it is a string of pearls, just hold the cloth between two fingers and pull the string through. The main issue with pearls is that they can dry out, so don’t store them in an overly dry place.
Gold: Clean with a soft-bristled toothbrush dipped in a solution of lukewarm water and dish soap; once a year you can do a deeper clean with the water and ammonia mixture used for diamonds. Rinse. Polish with a dry soft cloth or a jewelry polishing cloth, which will better return the luster to the jewelry.
Silver: Dry polish using a soft cloth or jewelry polishing cloth. Avoid coarse towels or fabrics, which can scratch. If you need to clean more thoroughly, scrub with a soft toothbrush dipped in a water and dish soap mixture and then polish with the soft cloth.
If the silver is tarnished and won’t improve with basic cleaning, take it to a jeweler for professional cleaning. To prevent the oxidation that causes tarnish, store the jewelry in its own plastic or soft cloth bag.
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On Sale! Special Purchase Round Moissanite Stud Earrings
On Sale! Special purchase! Round moissanite stud earrings set in classic low profile wire basket settings. Includes the Charles & Colvard Certificate of Authenticity and Limited Warranty.
Available in 14kt white or yellow gold
.50ct t.w. (two-4mm stones) $149
.66ct t.w. (two-4.5mm stones) $219
1ct t.w. (two-5mm stones) $259
1.25ct t.w. (two-5.5mm stones) $355
1.50ct t.w. (two-6mm stones) $475
2ct t.w. (two-6.5mm stones) $595
2.50ct t.w. (two-7mm stones) $799
3ct t.w. (two-7.5mm stones) $950
4ct t.w. (two-8mm stones) $1095