Monday, January 23, 2006

The Jewelry Box: a perfect companion to all your precious valuables

A jewelry box is the perfect companion to all your beautiful jewelry pieces. You can use it not only for keeping your ornaments but also for storing those precious trinkets and items which you care for very deeply.

There are some things which cannot be evaluated in terms of money, these are small fragile things which in some way have touched your life and are of immense significance. A jewelry box is a safe haven for all those little things. A place where you can keep those small treasures which cannot be bought with money.

A good jewelry box is most often a beautiful handcrafted piece. It is available in various finishes and textures. Starting from warm mahogany wood, rose wood, to matt silver, there is a jewelry box in almost every conceivable material and color. Some of these materials used for the creation of your jewelry box include wood, glass, metal, and porcelain. The one that most are accustomed to is the wooden flip top lids with the musical song that lightly plays in the background. However, there have been changes and improvements in the making of a jewelry box, and there are now very beautifully made wooden jewelry boxes made from dark cherry wood, and there is now also style of jewelry box that is being made from carved and polished marble.

You can choose from a very wide range and pick one which suits your taste and pocket at the same time. The jewelry box has a soft lining of velvet inside, such that the precious things you store in it are not damaged in any way. Some are antique pieces, which have been crafted by master craftsmen and are collector's items. Others are made by established firms who specialize only in making these. Still others can be found at local stores made by individual craftsmen or by bulk manufacturers.

If you are to purchase a jewelry box for yourself, or as a gift for some body else, it is important to know what kind you want and what kind is out there on the market, and which one suits you the best to fulfill your needs.

A jewelry box is a wonderful possession to have and to hold your valuable items. It is a wonderful way to hold your jewelry and each box has the potential to be your own, personal piece in which not only can you store valuable items but also the memories associated with it. It is not just a place to house your treasured valuables; it is also a beautiful piece which can be passed on from one generation to another as a precious heirloom.

A jewelry box is available in various price ranges starting from those that are commonly available in stores to unique pieces which can be bought only in renowned auction houses. Whatever your choice, the jewelry box is a beautiful object to have and to give as a gift.

It is one of those unique pieces which bring to mind an old world charm. There is an intriguing sense of timelessness and a very rich heritage associated with a jewelry box. In a way it is the caretaker of our individual legacy. A place cherished and suffused with the warm glow of memories.

By: Angela Davis


ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Looking for information about Jewelry?
Go to: http://www.merryjewelry.com
'Merry Jewelry' is published by Angela Davis -
The Complete Jewelry Resource Directory
Check out more Jewelry articles at: http://www.merryjewelry.com/archi

Saturday, January 14, 2006

Trade Secrets for Making Silver Jewelry Last a Lifetime

Silver is a soft metal that requires ongoing cleaning to maintain its original luster, and proper storage to prevent scratches. Any jewelry or other item made with silver will change color over time due to a natural oxidation process with sulfides in the air. This can cause items to turn yellow, and then eventually darken to black over time.

There are several easy tricks of the trade that professional jewelers have developed to maintain the beauty of silver jewelry.

Proper Sterling Silver Storage
While it’s tempting to wear a favorite piece all the time, you should always remove your jewelry before using any type of product with chemicals or abrasives such as chlorine, bleach, ammonia, alcohol, turpentine or acetone. That includes finger nail polish, dish detergent, makeup, and even hair spray! Many of these products can permanently damage the silver as well as gemstones.

Dampness, air, and light can cause a piece to tarnish so the optimal method for storing sterling silver jewelry is in an airtight non-reactive container such as a box lined with special non-tarnish material or Mylar or polyethylene bag. Each piece of jewelry should be placed in its own bag so it does not rub up against anything which could potentially cause scratches, kinks in chains, or the damage of a gemstone.

Never place your sterling jewelry on wood surfaces as most wood contains acids which can damage the finish. Card board and paper can also speed up the tarnishing process.

Cleaning Your Silver Jewelry
The more often you clean each piece the easier it is, and the less wear and tear on your jewelry, because the tarnish is minimal which allows for safer cleaning methods.

Silver is a soft metal that can be scratched so be careful to rub gently when cleaning. Never use anything but a clean nub free cotton or flannel cloth, a special sterling silver cleaning cloth, or a very soft bristle brush like a baby’s toothbrush or a horsehair silver brush.

To remove light dirt, fingerprints or makeup just use a couple drops of mild liquid detergent (such as baby shampoo or Woolite) in a cup of warm water and rinse thoroughly with clean fresh water. Dry it completely and lightly buff with a cotton cloth. Always use a lengthwise motion when washing or drying your jewelry, as a circular motion often causes scratching.

The safest method for removing tarnish is to use a treated silver buffing cloth, but there are a number of silver spray polish or pastes that can work well for heavy cleanings if there is a large tarnish build up. To achieve the best results apply the spray or paste on the cloth and work into lather with your hand first. Tarnish in hard to reach areas can be left on to create an antique look and add definition to the jewelry. If you prefer to clean the entire piece you can have it professionally done, or use a soft bristle brush.

Sterling silver dips can be fast and easy but are not recommended by professional silversmiths and jewelers. If using a silver dip it is better to insert the item and remove it quickly, repeating after rinsing with water, rather than leaving the item in the dip for long periods of time. Follow up by buffing with a soft cotton cloth. If you leave the piece in too long, or don't rinse it well enough with fresh water, a white residue will be left which can be difficult to remove.

Should you purchase a cleaner or dip, ensure that the product is designed for the type of jewelry item you want to clean. Dipping is not recommended for liquid silver or silver items with gemstones, and even paste or spray cleaners remove the natural luster of stones so be sure to remove any trace of cleaner residue and rinse each item thoroughly with clean water.


Additional Jewelry Cleaning Tips
Baking soda is often mentioned a cleaner but some jewelers claim that this method is to abrasive. If you wish to avoid using chemicals and want to try baking soda you should always test a small part of your silver jewelry piece first to see if leaves any noticeable marks. To use baking soda, lightly the item with clean water, the pour baking soda over the jewelry and rub gently with your fingers. Once the tarnish is removed, rinse with more clean water and dry with an all cotton cloth.

If your jewelry has been coated with a lacquer shield (to slow the tarnishing process) you should clean the item only after all of the lacquer has completely worn off. Cleaning agents can reach underneath the lacquer causing residue spotting.


Professional jewelers recommend cleaning your sterling silver jewelry as often as once per month, with a yearly professional cleaning for luxury and heirloom pieces. Cleaning gives you the chance to also check for loose stones or parts. Always have your jewelry repaired right away to prevent further damage.

Understanding the proper methods for storing and cleaning sterling silver jewelry is essential to the life of each piece.

By: David S

Quality Jewelry Pouches at NoblePack.com

Monday, January 09, 2006

The Secret Of Silver Jewelry

When we talk about precious metals we usually mean gold, platinum and another pure metal, fine silver. Silver is one of the original materials of value mentioned in the Bible, together with other originals such as precious gemstones that existed from the beginning of time.

This explains part of the attraction associated with these 'non-virtual' commodities - they existed for a very long time in human history, and presumably even before. Used throughout all generations and nations they have been and are one of the preferred ways to display symbols of value and are used as objects of beauty and style in jewelry. As a form of personal expression and 'street art'.

Thinking of fashion styles we tend to look at clothing, hair styling and makeup first. However accessories are a major part of the outfit. Jewelry one of its coolest forms.

Why is silver jewelry one of the constants that remain throughout history? What is the real mystery and the secret of silver? It's not only its cool attraction -- it is one of the commodities that existed before paper money, and it will retain it's value after currencies are gone.

In a world that goes more virtual by the minute we keep a few valuables that have their own pre-set value outside our current reality. Currencies will go virtual, jewelry will not.

To give you an idea about the differences of investments in tangible and intangible products and how it works out in real life, let me give you an example that nearly did cost me $25.000 in the past.

During the first oil crisis I lived in New Zealand for a few years and had to invest my assets in appropriate channels at that time. Because back then not only oil prices went up, also other commodities such as gold and silver increased slightly in value and I decided to invest some money in metals.

After locating a company that advertised selling of gold bullion, I went to their downtown store and asked a clerk to purchase gold for about $25.000. I never did this kind of investment before and was a bit unsure about where to keep it save from curious people and for the possible event of burglars in the house.

Knowing what was on my mind the clerk asked me that memorable question "would you like to have this in gold options, stocks or physical bullion?" He went through great lengths to explain me the advantages of "gold papers" that follow the value of gold at any time, so increase in value if the gold price further increases. There would be no necessity to actually touch physical things, and I could cash in the papers at any time.

I almost agreed to his offer, when suddenly a small yet bright thought of warning flashed my mind. Something that a goldsmith I met before told me years earlier, he said: "If you ever buy gold, remember the reason why you buy it, and do not buy virtual gold, but the real thing only".

This thought won in the end because my adviser taught me many basic things about jewelry and metals, and I highly respected his opinion. Turned out he was right. Less than 6 months later, the company I bought the bullion from faced bankruptcy and all their options, shares and other papers lost all of their value. I still had my physical gold however, that increased in value by about 10% at that time.

With that example fresh in mind, I personally still make distinctions when I buy personal products that enhance my lifestyle today.

Yes I invest a lot in software for example that enhances my virtual PC desktop, and helps websites function the way they should, and also loose a lot of it every few years when a harddisk or server crashes. I also enjoy the latest designer clothes, however they wear out and generally get damaged by usage over time.

However I keep a small collection of silver and gold jewelry in the same fresh looking condition as I originally bought it many years ago. These items never wear out, never go out of style. And never loose their value. It's the real thing.

By: George Ahrens

ABOUT THE AUTHOR


George Ahrens is editor at BlueOceanJewelry.com where you can find a fresh breeze in style of unique silver jewelry with a touch of smart elegance and sophistication. New designs with colorful precious gemstones that express vitality and dynamic energy. Bold statements of style, fun and timeless elegance. Latest Trends First http://www.BlueOceanJewelry.com

Thursday, January 05, 2006

Man's Diamond Ring

Diamonds have been the topic of pop culture for years. Among the most popular
mentions of the precious stone is "Diamond's are a Girl's Best Friend," sung by
the late Marilyn Monroe. The mention of diamonds in context of men wearing
diamond jewelry has not become popular until fairly recently. With the rise of
popularity in hip-hop music, the appearance of men's diamond jewelry, especially
men's jewelry, has become a "must have" for any red-carpet occasion. More and
more the appearance of athletes, rappers and celebrities wearing jewelry is
commonplace on any public appearance. The man's diamond ring has become a fashion staple for any
player in the entertainment industry.


So you want to be a player?
What should a buyer look for when purchasing a man's diamond ring? There are
four basic pointers that jewelry stores will offer when choosing the perfect
piece of diamond jewelry:

1)Cut- the cut of the diamond can make or break a diamond. How the
diamond is cut determines how the diamond will reflect light - poorly cut
diamond may appear dull.

2)Color- take great care when choosing the perfect man's diamond ring.
Traditionally, the less color a diamond has, the greater value the diamond will
have. A diamond specialist at a jeweler will help you choose the color of
diamond that fits your budget and personal taste.


3)Clarity- the clarity of the diamond is based on the number of flaws
and specks the diamond has. A flawless diamond will cost more. Many buyers
choose to go for nearly flawless diamonds. Often the casual observer cannot
notice the small flaws in a one of these diamonds without a jeweler's loupe.

4)Carat Size- this may be one of the largest factors in diamond price.
Due to the rarity of larger diamonds, the cost of these stones will increase
dramatically as the size of the stone increases.

The four basic diamond guidelines mentioned above can give the perspective
diamond buyer a jump-start in picking the perfect diamond. These guidelines can
take you from a certain price point, or can simply help educate a diamond buyer
looking to impress the media on a talk-show appearance.

There is no doubt that the popularity of men's diamond jewelry is here to
stay. Its acceptance into pop culture has made diamonds a focus of the fashion
and entertainment world. Although most of diamond jewelry worn by celebrities
and athletes costs more than some houses, men and women now wear diamonds.

The Addition of a diamond to ones wardrobe or jewelry collection is a great
way to add class and sophistication to any wardrobe.

By: Adam Hook

Visit NoblePack.com for a large selection of Quality Jewelry Boxes For Diamonds.

Wednesday, January 04, 2006

Storing Sterling Silver Jewelry - How To Guide

How to Store your Sterling Silver Jewelry in the proper place is indeed just as important as cleaning your Sterling Silver items. Choosing were you store your heirlooms could make the difference between a vive rant shine or an extremely tarnished piece.

Below are a few steps you should take to insure quality and value of you Sterling Silver Jewelry and Gifts.

#1 – Store your Sterling Silver Jewelry in dry climate controlled environments, be sure that you consider lighting when storing. Sterling Silver items should be kept in a dark area believe or not direct sunlight can cause forms of oxidation. Avoid those damp, humid hiding places that may quickly cause tarnishing.

Warning: Never store items directly on any wood surface because wood finish may contain damaging toxins that will dull and mark finish.

#2 – After you find a great location for Storage of your Sterling Silver items place them in an airtight bag for protection like a plastic bag made of Mylar or Polyethylene or even consider a tarnish proof cloth.

Warning: never store your sterling silver in polyvinyl bags. These types of plastic bags may contain compounds that can tarnish silver.

#3 – Storing when not wearing Sterling Silver Jewelry / Items can preserve the luster and shine longer with minimum cleaning needed.

#4 – Another consideration when Storing your Sterling Silver and to make sure that items are NOT stored directly with other items. They may rub together causing a scratched finish. The safest way is to store items separately from any other piece of jewelry.

Just by taking these simple yet affective steps for Storing Sterling Silver you can have much more enjoyment with minimum cleaning needed as well preserve those beautiful valuables for generations to come.

Spending many years in the manufacturing and caring of Sterling Silver my experience insures you with confidence in sterling silver products, our NEW Website list only high quality sterling silver jewelry and gifts. Visit our website today at: http://www.inspirationalsterling.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Wayne_Hagerty

Tuesday, January 03, 2006

How to Care For Silver Jewelry

Silver jewelry has a lovely patina, but the sad fact is that the patina darkens with age, turning from the original brilliant silver, to a light gold, and if left long enough it will become bronzed and then a black/blue.

This is due to the chemical reaction of the silver, with sulfides present in the environment. This is usually due to airborne pollutants, but can also be transferred to the jewelry on your hands.

One of the first rules of keeping your silver jewelry shining, is to store it properly in acid-free paper, or cloth especially for that purpose. Put them in a drawer or other safe place, that is away from exposure to wood or other types of smoke.

It is best to keep jewelry polished, instead of trying to play "catch up" when it has become heavily tarnished. But there are a number of ways to deal with the darkening color.

There are many home solutions, such as using white toothpaste and a soft brush. However, some jewelers point out that silver is not tooth enamel, and can't withstand the abrasive content. Although on things like chains, it's unlikely you would see any resulting scratches.

Commercial solutions do work, but depending on the nature of your jewelry (e.g. whether it contains gemstones or pearls), you may not be able to submerge it completely, and the cleaning will be uneven.

One basis of both commercial and home cleaning solutions, is the creation of an electrochemical cell, where there is a metal ingredient that is anodic to silver. This means that it will help turn the silver in the sulphide tarnish, back to silver.

A favorite home treatment is to line a pot with aluminum foil, one of the metals anodic to silver, put your jewelry in, and cover it with water, then add several tablespoons of baking soda. Boil gently until you see that the discoloration is gone. Your jewelry may be completely clean, or may have a white powder on its surface from the oxidization. This can be removed easily with a baking soda paste. Remember to exercise caution in cleaning silver jewelry. If it is not purely silver, like a chain or bracelet, the treatment you use can damage soft stone or pearls.

By: Alice Stacy

About The Author

If you love jewelry, why not make a career out of it? Visit http://www.jewelrysalesbusiness.com for company profiles and connect with representatives.

Diamond Jewelry Care

You just dropped several large bills to get your beloved (or maybe yourself!) a diamond or diamonds that take your breath away. That kind of investment deserves some careful attention, and that's the subject of discussion. To make your diamonds last a lifetime, there are several areas, some obvious, some not; that you need to keep in mind. While diamonds may be the hardest compound on earth, they still need some loving care.

There are cleaning, checking your settings, security and traveling.

CLEANING YOUR DIAMONDS Your diamonds can get pretty grotesque with day to day wear. Lotions, harsh soaps, food and even the oils from your skin can contribute to a less than lustrous diamond. Here are the four most popular ways to clean your diamonds at home. 1-Give them a mild detergent bath, gently using a small soft brush to wash away loose impediments. Be careful to do this in a small bowl away from the sink as the only thing worse than a filthy diamond is a lost one! 2-Soak them in solution of half ammonia and half cold water for about 30 minutes. Be sure to only use a soft bristled brush as it's possible to scratch your diamonds.

3-use one of the Quick Dip solutions sold in stores. Follow the directions and be sure not to handle the clean diamonds with your fingers, ruining all your hard work. Pick your diamond jewelry up by it's edges.

4-Ultrasonic cleaning. There's lot's of these small machines that will clean your diamond jewelry in a snap. Just be sure and follow directions, as each machine is different.

CHECKING YOUR DIAMOND SETTINGS At least once a year have your diamond jewelry settings checked by a reputable jeweler. Have them check for a secure placement, particularly if your diamond is set in soft metals such as 24k gold.

DIAMOND SECURITY Some thoughts on securing your diamonds. Keep your diamond jewelry in soft fabric covered jewelry boxes, preferably with individual compartments. One of the only things that can cut a diamond is another diamond, so keep them away from each other. don't wear it when doing hard heavy work. It's possible to chip your diamond with a hard glancing blow. Keep your treasures away from small, playful fingers. If you have a large amount, consider videotaping or digitally storing photos of your gems for insurance purposes. And be smart: don't wear your 15 carat diamond necklace to a Raider game and expect to make anything but a lot of new friends!

TRAVELING WITH DIAMONDS When traveling, store your diamonds in soft jewelry bags, individually, and use a specially designed jewelry travel case if you can get one. They are made for this purpose, and are handy indeed.

A piece of diamond jewelry means many things to many people. Diamonds are a symbol of great affection. Please honor those who gave this gift to you by giving your diamonds careful and regular care and attention and you'll be rewarded with a lifetime with a lifetime of sparkle!

Copyright 2005 Keith Thompson

The history of jewelry from Egypt

Copyright 2005 Jason Bibb

Ancient Egyptians are very well known all over the world for their remarkable jewelry, especially the ones discovered from the period of the Middle kingdom’s reign. Egyptians started manufacturing jewelry during the Badari and Naqada eras from natural materials, such as stones, wood, and then becoming more sophisticated, made of pealed bones or braches, and starting to paint them with various substances. Their purpose was primarily religious and symbolic, often being a bit extravagant and were being worn by women and men alike. The most common symbol that was found from the ancients is the “Ankh” which was meant to represent eternal life. Some of the other symbols include the lotus flower, the falcon and the human eye, representing the healing process.

The art of jewelry-making started to flourish with the start of the Middle Kingdom, when pharaohs decided to express themselves better through gold objects. Egyptians started to master the technical methods of cutting semiprecious and precious stones with a sleek accuracy. Because of the regular missions to Nubian regions as well as Eastern Desert ones, Egyptians became more and more sophisticated in stone sculpturing, bringing from these regions not only gold, but silver, turquoise and agate as well. Pharaohs and high representatives of the ancient Egypt took to the tomb a large series of jewelry pieces like crowns, wreaths, rings, ear-rings and imposing necklaces, which were all placed on their mummified bodies. As a particularity, the vest that ancient Egyptians used to wore around their chest, has not been seen anywhere else in other ancient civilizations. It was made of pure gold, and sometimes surrounded with other precious stones. Ancient Egyptians used to make the vest even before the gold era, making it from other materials that they used to color in golden shades to make it look like gold.

Around Christianity period, and the time that followed, most jewelry were made of cheaper materials, but all incrusted with Christian symbols such as crosses, pigeons, a branch leaf, and the ancient Ankh sign. After the arrival of Islam in Egypt, men were prohibited from wearing jewelry, especially ones made of gold. However, they were allowed to wear silver ones. Not a lot of the ancient jewelries were recovered, since the artifacts were brutally ravished by thieves and the amount of gold from the ancient tombs was stolen. Still, what remained are true works of art and they are cherished at their real value, as should.

Author: Jason Bibb
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For more history and information on Egyptian jewelry please visit http://www.egyptian-gifts.com

How to keep your jewelry sparkling clean

Caring for Your Jewellery

Caring for your handmade jewellery is easy and will help your treasures last a lifetime of wear and pleasure. This brief guide takes you through the basics, as well as highlighting some pitfalls to watch out for. But first, a quick word of caution. Before you start any cleaning activity, please be sure that your stones or beads will not be damaged by whichever method you have selected.

General wearing advice:

 When wearing, protect all jewellery from scratches, sharp blows, chemicals, extreme temperatures, and sunlight.
 The above also apply to storage, when jewellery is particularly vulnerable, especially when left in the bottom of a drawer or cupboard.
 Store jewellery separately so it doesn't scratch other jewellery.
 Remove jewellery when doing household tasks such a gardening, cleaning and household repairs or other strenuous activities such as sport.
 Apply makeup, perfume and hairspray before putting on your jewellery.
 Do not wear jewellery while in a swimming pool or hot tub or bathing. The chlorine in the water can damage various gemstones and metals.
 Do not store jewellery next to heating vent, window sill, or in the car.
 Store jewellery away from sunlight. The sun will fade some gemstones.
 Always store bead necklaces strung on silk or cotton flat because these threads stretch over time.
 Store metal jewellery in resealable plastic or jewellery bags with silica-gel sachets to prevent tarnish.
 Jewellery with pearls or opals needs to be stored in fabric instead of plastic bags as these stones need to "breathe."

General cleaning advice:

 After each wearing, gently wipe each piece of jewellery clean of make up and skin oils with a 100% cotton cloth.
 Some jewellery can be washed in warm soapy water providing it is dried carefully before storage. Do not do this if your jewellery is strung on silk or cotton as these will stretch.
 Rinse carefully and pat dry with a soft non-abrasive cloth.
 Polish metals gently with a soft jewellery polishing cloth.
 Ultrasonic cleaners only work with hard crystalline stones; otherwise avoid them.
 Whatever you do, please be gentle.

Do not use Chemical Cleaners:

Many stones will be adversely affected by harsh chemical cleaners. Many will discolour and some may eventually break apart. The stones which are particularly vulnerable include Amber, Aquamarine, Coral, Emerald, Jade, Lapis, Malachite, Opal, Pearls, Shell and Turquoise. If in doubt, simply don’t put in any chemicals.

Light Sensitive Stones:

Many stones will bleach in strong light if left exposed for long periods of time. They will lose their bright colour and eventually become drab and unattractive. The stones which are vulnerable to sunlight include Amethyst, Ametrine, Aquamarine, Aventurine, Beryl, Celestite, Chrysoprase, Citrine, Hiddenite, Kunzite, Rose and Smoky Quartz, Fluorite and Topaz.

Cleaning Beads:

Beads are usually more robust than semi-precious stones, especially if they are made of glass, pottery or ceramic. However some beads, in particular those made from wood or bone are usually very sensitive and have to be treated with great care. Consequently the same cleaning and storage precautions should be exercised as the advice given for other kinds of jewellery.

Cleaning Silver and Gold:

Silver and gold can generally be cared for in the same way. Both methods below work well, but make sure that you are not too enthusiastic cleaning plated items, as your vigorous rubbing may wear away the metal coating. Solid items should withstand more vigorous treatment.

 Commercial silver/gold cleaners. Be sure that any stones in the jewellery can withstand the chemicals in the cleaner. Read the label, and if in doubt, do not use the cleaner. Some gemstones that cannot be placed in most commercial jewellery cleaners are: pearls, lapis lazuli, malachite, opals, coral, turquoise, and others.

 Ammonia and water. Use a light solution of ammonia and water on a toothbrush or soft cloth, then rinse thoroughly with water. Ammonia should not be used on the same types of gemstones that should not be used with commercial cleaners.

Tarnish can be prevented by storing your jewellery in resealable plastic bag together with a sachet of silica gel. This will absorb any moisture. Silver of gold jewellery containing pearls and opals, however, should not be stored in plastic bags.


Cleaning Copper and Brass:

Surprisingly, copper and brass are also very simple to care for. While they do tarnish more quickly than silver, they can be restored to their original shine very easily. Methods for cleaning and shining copper and brass jewellery are outlined below:

 Commercial copper/brass cleaner. Again, be sure that any stones in the jewellery can withstand the chemicals in the cleaner and if in doubt do not use it.

 Ketchup, Worcestershire Sauce or Vinegar. As unlikely as it sounds, the acetic acid in these substances will shine up copper and brass very nicely. Apply them carefully with a toothbrush or soft cloth, leave on for a couple of minutes, then rinse thoroughly. Avoid getting these products on the same types of stones which should not be exposed to chemical cleaners.

 Combination of water, lemon or lime juice and salt. Add a few drops of lemon or lime juice to a container of water, then add a teaspoon of salt and stir gently. Place the jewellery in the solution for a few minutes, then remove and rinse thoroughly. If needed, the dip in the solution can be repeated. Again, this method should not be used with gemstones or pearls that cannot be cleaned with chemical cleaners.

Tarnish, as with silver, can be prevented by storing your jewellery in resealable plastic bag together with a sachet of silica gel. This will absorb any moisture. Avoid storing jewellery containing opals or pearls in this way.

Disclaimer: Whilst the information given above is provided in good faith, we do not recommend you do anything unless you are personally certain that no harm will come to your jewellery as a result of cleaning. We do not take any responsibility for damage which ensues from your actions.

Author: Susan King

Vist our site at www.wildaboutme.com

Visit NoblePack.com for a large selection of Quality Jewelry Boxes.