How To Clean Your Jewelry
There are many commercial jewelry cleaners available that do an excellent job. It is important to know you should never use bleach or any other harsh chemicals to clean your jewelry. Certain chemicals, especially chlorine bleach and bromine, will react to the base metals in your gold mountings and/or can pit and discolor the mounting.
Cleaning Diamonds
Although diamonds have a non-porous surface, our day-to-day activities will attract dirt and oil to our diamonds. There are a few simple ways to keep you diamond looking as good as new.
One important point to remember when cleaning diamonds is - make sure you clean your diamonds individually because there is a danger of two diamonds scratching each other. That is also an important point when considering how you store your jewelry. Keep your diamonds separated when you do not have them on. Even though diamonds are extremely hard, they can be damaged if given a hard blow. Do not wear your diamond jewelry when doing rough work or when using chlorine bleach or other chemicals. Some chemicals can pit and discolor the mounting.
We have a simple recipe to make your own jewelry cleaner. Mix to a frothy lather, one cup warm water, two tablespoons liquid washing detergent, and one teaspoon of clear ammonia. Simply put a piece of jewelry into this mixture and let soak for about fifteen minutes. After soaking, brush each side of the piece with a soft toothbrush, rinse with warm water and pat dry with a soft cloth. Please be careful when rinsing, close the sink drain in case the jewelry slips from your hand.
*Please note: This method should not be used on jewelry made with pearls, cameos, opals, turquoise, coral and lapis. Also, remember some gemstones are extremely porous and should be handled with care. Among those are emeralds and aquamarine. If you are in doubt, please feel free to call Mayfair Jewelers and ask.
Cleaning Pearls
The only way to clean pearls safely is to wipe them with a moist, soft cloth. For pearl jewelry, it is best to avoid direct contact with any chemicals such as perfume, make-up, hairspray, etc. As with your diamonds, it is important to store your pearls separate from other jewelry.
Jewelry Maintenance
Have Mayfair Jewelers professionally clean and check your diamond jewelry at least once a year for loose prongs and wear.Mayfair Jewelers recommends you self-check your jewelry regularly. If a clasp is not working properly or you notice a prong holding a stone is bent, bring it in immediately. Don't wait until it is too late. Mayfair Jewelers' professional jewelers can repair your jewelry and help safeguard against loss. |
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