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 The Basics - Protecting Your Jewelry
There are so many different kinds of jewelry available today - the variety of shapes, sizes, colors, materials, and finishes seem endless. One might think that all of these different kinds of jewelry require different care. However, we do have "The Basics" - simple measures you can take to preserve the beauty of all your jewelry from precious gemstones to faux pearls and faux diamonds, and 18K gold to sterling silver.
The most effective way to preserve your precious gems and jewelry is by keeping it out of harm's way. We realize that it is virtually impossible to shield your jewelry from the daily hustle and bustle of life. After all, you are supposed to be able to relax and enjoy wearing your jewelry. But as the following points reveal, you can keep your jewelry beautiful just by limiting its exposure to certain conditions.
The Trouble with Lotions and Soaps
Through our daily grooming rituals, we are frequently exposed to various chemicals which may not harm us, but could be harmful to our jewelry. A few include hairspray, mousse, body lotion, moisturizer, perfume, make-up, shaving cream, and soap. These chemicals can leave a residue on jewelry, creating a dull film that is very difficult to remove. To prevent this buildup, remove your jewelry before bathing and grooming, and put it on right before you get on with your day. Think of your jewelry as the finishing touch. Once you see how infrequently you have to clean your jewelry, it's worth the extra step.
Jewelry Does Not Work Well With Household Chores
Before you are about to clean the kitchen, assemble a bike, build your dream deck or do any other work around the house, make sure that you take off all your jewelry. Harsh, abrasive household cleaners can cause hard-to-remove build-up and leave dulling scratches. It is especially important that you remove all jewelry when working with power tools: chains, rings and earrings may get caught on a power tool and break or cause serious injury. (Be sure to follow all instructions when using such tools.)
WARNING! Chlorine Bleach and Jewelry Don't Mix
Chlorine bleach may be able to save those dirty socks, but it can destroy your jewelry, especially silver. When silver is exposed to chlorine bleach, the chemical has an oxidizing effect on the metal, causing the metal to turn an unsightly black. In most cases, standard household jewelry cleaners cannot remove the blackened metal. A professional jeweler with the proper equipment might be able to help. To be safe, always remove your jewelry before working with chlorine bleach.
H2O is a Big No-No
Although we use water to clean much of our jewelry you should thoroughly dry your jewelry after exposure to water, especially before storing it in an enclosed space. Moisture fosters tarnish on silver and can weaken springs and clasps. Moreover, certain costume/fashion jewelry and gemstones should never be soaked in water or worn when bathing (see the Special Cleaning section below for details).
Extreme Temperatures May Cause Extreme Problems
A sweltering sun or cold winter day will not harm your jewelry. However, it is a good idea to keep your jewelry away from extreme heat and cold. Some jewelry is more sensitive to heat than others. For example, extreme heat (comparable to the temperature of boiling water or very hot tap water) could damage jeweler's cement commonly used with costume jewelry, cultured pearls or marcasite. Moreover, a rapid increase in temperature could cause thermal shock, leading to fractures in some gemstones.
The Beauty of Proper Storage
The key to protecting your jewelry is not only in how you wear your jewelry, but also in how it is stored.
Give it some space
When storing your jewelry, you should give each piece its own space. Metal can scratch or scuff other metal. Diamonds and other hard gemstones that come in contact with metal or each other can destroy luster, or cause more serious damage. For this reason, protect each piece by storing it in its own individual container or compartment. Or, if you prefer to keep all your jewelry together in one big jewelry box, place each individual piece in a pouch or a self-sealing plastic bag. (If you do use a plastic bag, make sure that the piece is completely dry before storing.)
 Fasten the clasp
For bracelets and necklaces, always fasten the clasp when storing. This will help prevent any tangling that might occur.
Dry, dry, dry
It is very important, especially for silver items, to thoroughly dry your jewelry before placing it in an enclosed space. Moisture fosters tarnish and can weaken springs and clasps. Moreover, certain gemstones are prone to suffer from water damage.
Cleaning Your Jewelry
When cleaning your jewelry, it is satisfying to watch your cherished items turn from dull and drab to shiny and bright. And it takes just a few easy steps to restore your jewelry's brilliance and luster. This section provides you with simple methods that will help you clean your jewelry as effectively and as safely as possible. Take note that certain methods are ideal for some jewelry, but can cause damage to others.
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