Your jewelry needs cleaning once a week, if you want it to sparkle like new!  Cooking oils, dish soap, hand cream and sunscreen all stick to the diamonds and reduces the sparkle and brilliance.

It’s easy to a clean diamonds and most colored gems at home, get a bowl and make up some hot soapy water (I use Tide) and soak for a half hour, then scrub the back and top with a toothbrush and rinse in clear running water.  Blow away the excess water with your mouth and set on a paper towel to dry.

Special Care

Some gems like opals, turquoise, and coral can skip the soaking.  Simply run under lukewarm water and scrub with the toothbrush. 

Good as new!

Polishing Metals

Precious metals stay shiny, part of the reason they are precious.  The one exception is silver.  Sterling silver is the primary type of silver sold and it contains 7% copper, to make it harder.  The copper can oxidize and turn the silver dark.  I’ve always liked the antique patina when you wear silver and the highlights stay bright and the recesses darken up.  Makes it pop.  

If your silver is getting dark you can get it to us and we will polish and clean it or order our Fabulustre rouge cloth.  For only $9.50 plus shipping, it will keep your silver gleaming.  It works on gold and platinum too! Receive a free ring sizer with your order!

Proper Pearl Care: How to Keep Your Pearls Looking Gorgeous

Quality pearls are very durable, but proper care is necessary to keep them beautiful and lustrous.

Here are important tips to care for your pearls.

• Wear them!!! Wear them at least  semi-often!! Pearls were originally born in the water and benefit immensely from absorbing the oils that your skin naturally secretes throughout the day. So go ahead, put them on and show them you care.
• Gently wipe pearls with a soft cloth to remove sweat, perfume, excess oils or dirt before putting them away.
• Pearls should be stored away from other objects or jewelry that may scratch their surfaces. Wrap the pearls in linen, soft cloth, or place in a soft pouch.
• Do NOT store pearls in an airtight package such as a plastic bag: remember, pearls need moisture.  If the environment is too dry, the pearls may crack. If placing the pearls in a safety deposit box or in a hot environment, leave a damp cloth nearby, and try to get them out of there as quickly as you can.
• Keep pearls away from chlorine bleach, hydrogen peroxide, vinegar, ammonia, hairspray, perfume, and cosmetics, as these substances will damage the pearl surface.
• Make sure to put pearls on after finished spraying perfume or hairspray and putting on makeup. Be very careful with chemical substances as they will eat holes in the pearl nacre.
• Remove pearls before exercising to keep them away from perspiration.
• Do not submerge your pearls in water – no showers, no dishes, no swimming.  The chlorine in the water will eat away at the epoxy securing the pearls to their mountings, and soaking the silk your pearls are strung on causes it to stretch out and break early.
• Avoid hanging the pearl necklace for on a hook for storage; this places un-necessary strain on the silk and stretches out the necklace.
• Restring pearls once every two to three years, or once a year if you wear them weekly.  Be sure to have each pearl knotted separately, preferably with silk, so they do not rub together and wear on the pearl nacre. If pearls are very small, knots between each pearl may be undesirable.

Pearl Info is courtesy of Pure Pearls

If you have any questions about safely cleaning your jewelry at home, please get in touch at Peter@peterindorf.com.