| Perhaps the most important thing to bear in mind here is the potential for loss. Always use a bowl of water to clean your jewellery, not the sink. If you stand the bowl in the sink, put the plug in first, and don't remove it again until you're sure you've got all the pieces you started with. It might sound obvious, but you wouldn't believe how much jewellery goes down the drain!
Firstly, check the gemstone or diamond is secure in its claw mounting. Hold the item in one hand and use a fingernail to just touch the diamond. If it's loose you'll see it rock or move. This will need to be repaired by your jeweller first, who will tighten the claws. An old soft toothbrush and warm soapy water is ideal to remove the grease, dust, grit and dead skin that fills the gaps and indentations around the stone anchors of a ring or other item of jewellery. This works equally well for almost all types of gemstone, including ruby, emerald and sapphire.
A gentle brush, even an artist’s brush, is infinitely preferable to using a cloth from which threads can be snagged and pulled. If a thread gets caught in a claw, it can bend or weaken the grip of the claw and stones can be lost weeks or months later.
Once again, check the stone for movement, just to make sure it wasn't the dirt holding it in place. It should now be gleaming again with a nice new sparkle!
Be aware hat some stones are quite 'soft' and others are particularly absorbent. Gemstones that fall into this category are pearls, ivory, coral, turquoise, opal and amber. Care must be exercised when cleaning so as not to scratch them or leave them soaking. They are also best stored in separate compartments of a jewellery box.
Pearls are of particular concern because any damage usually results in discolouration and/or a reduction of lustre. They can be affected by perfume, hairspray, deodorant creams and sprays, makeup, skin lotions and nail polish remover.
Put pearls on after using any of these products and after sufficient drying time for sprays and creams. Just wipe your pearls off with a soft damp cloth before putting them away, so that any residue doesn't remain to damage them in storage.
Whilst your jewellery is not being worn, it is best stored in a lined box or soft pouch, similar to the one in which the item was purchased. Necklaces shouldn't be allowed to become tangled, as metal or diamonds can easily scratch other metals or plate, just by being next to each other. This can ruin or dull This can ruin or dull a polished surface very quickly, with the obvious disappointment and loss in value that will be the result.
I also would advise against wearing your jewellery whilst gardening or doing housework or playing sport. If a lost ring or earring is trodden into the lawn, it can be a hundred years before it's found. Likewise, rings can all too easily slip off soapy or sweaty hands and be lost forever. Avoid swimming, in particular, as chlorine can cause surface damage. Jewellery is particularly susceptible to damage from the effects of chemicals present in perfume, hairspray, nail polish remover and deodorant.
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