Caring for Silver, Gold Jewellery and Various Types of Gemstones
Jewellery is an integral part of any lifestyle and culture, hence it is of utmost importance to take care of it to maintain its sheen, shine and lustre. All kinds of jewellery require to be cleaned periodically. The method of cleaning varies depending on the kind of metal involved.
Silver Jewellery can get oxidised easily. Storing it in airtight containers helps to reduce contact with air and elements that lead to tarnishing. A special silver cleaning cloth, which has some infused chemicals, can be used to clean the jewellery by rubbing it in a back and forth motion.
There are various other ways to clean silver at home. The most popular method to remove tarnish is soaking the jewellery in warm soapy water for about half an hour and rubbing it with a soft bristle toothbrush and rinse.
If the tarnish is too strong then a paste of baking soda and water/ vinegar(depending on the severity of the tarnish) in a 2:1 ratio can be applied and rubbed with a soft cloth or a soft bristle toothbrush. One can let it sit for a couple of hours and then rinse.
One can also clean silver by filling a bowl lined with silver foil with boiling water and adding some baking soda with a little salt. Let the jewellry sit for 5 min to 10 min. It helps get rid of tarnish and make your jewellery shining again. Gently rub the solution of 1/2 cup lemon juice with 1 teaspoon olive oil on the jewellery with a soft cloth to get that sparkle back. A non gel toothpaste is also used to get rid of tarnish.
Gold jewellery can easily accumulate soap, chemicals and start to look dull. It is best to remove gold before showering or doing chores which requires contact with soap and chemicals. Gold jewellery can be easily cleaned at home by adding some drops of dish soap in warm water and submerging the jewellery in it. A soft bristle toothbrush can be used to gently scrub off the coating that has formed over the jewellery. If it doesn't work, a few drops of ammonia can be added to the same solution and jewellery be dipped for a few minutes and gently scrubbed with a toothbrush. Once done scrubbing, rinse it under warm soapy water and dry with a clean cloth.
Diamonds can lose their shine if not cleaned frequently. They can be easily cleaned with warm soapy water and a soft bristle toothbrush. A soft cloth should be used to dry it after the cleaning process is done. The same process is safe for sapphires and rubies.
Emeralds, opals and turquoise should be handled with greater care as they are porous and can easily absorb liquids and chemicals. They can be given a quick scrub with warm soapy water and not left soaked in it.
Pearls should always be stored in cotton bags. One should avoid keeping them in plastic bags and also must not be kept next to other kinds of jewellery. They should be worn after all the cosmetics have been applied to avoid any discoloration. The more the pearls are worn, the greater the shine. They can be easily cleaned using mild soapy water. The process might differ as one needs to individually clean each pearl rather than dipping the whole string in water, this helps to avoid stretching of the string.
One has to be extremely careful while applying any of the above methods. Thoroughly rinse jewellery after cleaning, and use only non-abrasive cloths for cleaning and drying. Whenever in doubt, it's best to consult your local jeweller. The above are some indications towards better upkeep and higher life of jewellery as we at www.blingjewellery.com.au want the best return on the money spent by its customers.