« Garden Cushions | Home | Gas Patio Heaters »
Jewellery Cleaning
By admin | November 21, 2007
If you have just inherited some fine jewelry or you have been given some as a gift, one of the most important things towards taking care of you new possessions is cleaning. Jewelry cleaning is important for keeping your finery looking at its best and because jewelry can be damaged if cleaned inappropriately, it is important to make sure your jewelry is cleaned appropriately.
Many jewelry stores offer cleaning services, but if you are concerned about leaving your jewelry, there are several options that you can take advantage of. When in doubt, be sure to speak to a reputable jeweler about what to clean your jewelry with; this can save you from damage to your jewelry and repair bills down the road! Remember that the method you use to clean jewelry should never be too strong for the most fragile piece in your collection. Check jewelry stores for cleansers that are suitable for softer stones.
When you are looking into cleaning your jewelry, the first thing to do is to separate it. First remove all the porous gems in your collection. Jewels like pearls, emeralds and opals are very sensitive to abrasive materials so it is best to make sure that they do not go in with hardier materials like gold or silver. After the porous gems have been removed, the rest of the collection can be soaked in warm water to which a non-detergent soap has been added. This is strong enough to take off most of the grime that accumulates from being worn while at the same time it is a mild enough solution that most pieces will not be damaged.
After a soak, you can continue your jewelry cleaning with a soft brush to further remove dirt and grime. Keep in mind that the brush should be fairly soft; a harsher brush can mark gold or scratch softer gems. For softer gems, try a quick rinse with warm water, followed by gentle rubbing from a very soft cloth.
Another option for jewelry cleaning is the use of an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner. With this device, the jewelry is placed in an enclosed tank in a solution of soap and water. When it is started, the ultrasonic jewelry cleaner creates many tiny air bubbles, which will gently knock dirt and grime off of the jewelry. This is a great way to get into the tiny crevices of your jewelry where a brush can’t reach; the ultrasonic jewelry cleaner often gives jewelry a like-new shine. The motion of the bubbles is quite gentle, and cannot damage stones and settings. When you use an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner, remember that is best used for gold or platinum; check the instructions on how to deal with softer stones.
After a cleaning, no matter how it is administered, make sure that any cleaning solution has been rinsed away and then gently pat your jewelry dry. Remember to to keep your collection looking great, you should clean it whenever it looks dull and to do it gently each time!
Technorati Tags: ultrasonic jewelry cleaner
Topics: Jewellery Cleaning |
