Jewelry Cleaning

Jewelry Cleaning – As seen “live” on #TV/Phoenix – Good Morning Arizona – Monday, February 19, 2018 (8:40am)

General Directions: Before cleaning your jewelry examine it carefully to make sure that all settings, clasps and prongs are secure. Always clean jewelry in a dish rather than in the sink. It is so easy to lose small jewelry pieces down the drain. Rinse pieces well, unless otherwise indicated and dry well with a soft cloth and then allow to sit and air dry.

SUPER TIP: TANGLED CHAINS
To untangle chains lay them on a hard surface and put a drop of oil, (olive, baby, cooking) on the knot or tangle. Use a pair of sewing needles or pins to gently separate the knot and remove it.
Store chains slid into a drinking straw and fasten the clasp at the end of the straw.

DIAMONDS
Put some warm water into a dish and soak for a few minutes. Drop the piece into a dish containing window cleaner, swish back and forth in the window cleaner and let soak for at least 30 minutes. Rinse well in warm water, again scrubbing with the toothbrush. Dry well. Yearly take diamond rings to a jeweler for cleaning and to check the prongs and setting.

RHINESTONES
Gently massage old fashion white toothpaste into the piece with your fingers. Scrub gently with a clean toothbrush. Rinse really well, using a toothbrush to get into all the recessed areas. Allow to dry on a soft cloth.

GOLD
Put a squeeze of dishwashing soap into a cup of warm water. Let the piece soak a few minutes to remove body oil and soil and then scrub with a clean toothbrush. Rinse well and buff with a soft cloth.

SILVER
Place a sheet of aluminum foil into a plastic bucket or container. Lay your silver jewelry on the foil and pour over enough hot water to cover the pieces well. Add a couple of tablespoons of baking soda and let stand for about 10 – 20 minutes. Rinse the pieces well and dry and buff with a soft cloth. This method is NOT for other types of jewelry.

NATURAL CLEANING GUIDE FOR GOLD, SILVER & COSTUME JEWELRY
Put jewelry into shallow bowl, and add water, along with one Alka-Seltzer tablet. Let this stand for 5 minutes. Rinse and wipe until dry.
Place straight white vinegar onto a soft cloth and wipe jewelry.
Grease and body oils can be removed by dipping jewelry into plain rubbing alcohol. Use an old toothbrush to help remove dirt in small places on each piece. Inexpensive vodka also works well.
Gem stones and Pearls have different care needs than gold or silver jewelry with diamonds. Colored gemstones do not like the sunlight, this will change their colors. Pearls do not like any chemicals.

PEARLS
Pearls shouldn’t be cleaned with harsh chemicals. Use only a damp cloth to wipe them down or a soft cloth with a little olive oil on it. Buff gently with a soft cloth. If you wear your pearls frequently, have them checked every other year by a jeweler to be sure they are in good condition.

EMERALDS
Do not submerge emeralds for long periods of times. Buff them for a few minutes with a soft cloth to remove body oils. Dip a soft toothbrush in a mixture of warm water and a squirt of liquid dish soap and gently rub the emerald. Rinse quickly using the toothbrush dipped into clean warm water. Buff the stone with a soft cloth and allow to air dry.

SAPPHIRES
Sapphires are extremely durable stones. Begin by buffing them with a soft cloth to remove body oils. Clean the ring using a toothbrush and some window cleaner or vodka. Submerge in a container of clean water to remove cleaning residue and then buff well with a soft cloth and allow to air dry.

LEATHER JEWELRY
Keep leather jewelry dusted with a dry cloth. Never allow to sit in water or soak. Use a damp cloth to clean it . If it has body oil, lotions and other soiling use a damp cloth and a bar of moisturizing soap like DOVE. Rub with the cloth lathered with the soap and then buff, no rinsing required.
Leather should be treated with shoe polish, cream or wax in the appropriate of clear color. This will re-nourish and condition the leather and reduce the likelihood of it becoming brittle and cracking. Note: Beads on leather thongs should be removed before the leather is treated to protect them.

STRETCH BEADED BRACELETS
Put it on and off the right way. Don’t pull on one end of the bracelet to stretch it over your hand to put it on and off. Instead, roll the beads over your hand and wrist, stretching the elastic as little as possible.
Don’t wear it in the shower, in the pool or in the spa. Not only the heat and chemicals are going to wear off the elastic but they can also damage the stones.
To clean it, use a soft microfiber cloth to gently rub it. If needed wash quickly with soap and water, rinse and pat dry. Allow to dry prior to wearing.

COPPER
Copper, unless sealed, will darken to a rich reddish brown very quickly. If you prefer the ‘bright new penny’ look, just add a tablespoon or two of lemon juice to a cup of water along with a teaspoon of salt and soak the piece for a few minutes. Rinse and dry and it will be as shiny as shiny can be.

GLASS
Glass will dull over time particularly when worn against the skin or left out on display. Combine a solution of 1/3 rubbing alcohol and vodka and 2/3 water. Mist the beads and rub with a soft cloth.