| When you are out on the go and don't have | | | | or until you are confident that it will not fall out. |
| much time to spare, it's good to have a few | | | | - Bend It Back. If you see that the post of your |
| tricks up your sleeve when it comes to needing a | | | | favorite stud earring is slightly bent, you may be |
| quick fix for your jewelry. We all experience a | | | | able to adjust the post by hand. Using your thumb |
| stone that's too loose, an earring back that's gone | | | | and pointing finger, grip the post and gently |
| missing or even notice some dirt or grime on our | | | | attempt to move it back into place. This works |
| jewelry that we would like to remove, but what | | | | especially well if the post is only slightly bent and |
| can you do when you're away from home? Here | | | | needs minimal straightening. While attempting this |
| are a few ideas to help get you through the day | | | | repair, you should stop and check your progress |
| and quickly fix your jewelry woes: | | | | very frequently to ensure that the post is not |
| - Back It Up. If you accidentally lose an earring | | | | becoming even more damaged. Great care must |
| back, use a pencil eraser to temporarily secure | | | | be taken when attempting to reposition an earring |
| the earring. Before attempting this repair, make | | | | post so as to not bend or completely break it |
| sure that the earring post or earwire (depending | | | | altogether. |
| on the style of earring) is strong enough to pierce | | | | - Stick To It. Always carry a safety pin incase |
| the eraser. Otherwise, you may end up damaging | | | | your necklace breaks and you need an alternate |
| the metal if it is too thin. | | | | way to display your pendant. You can use the |
| - Quick Cleanup. If you're on the go and notice | | | | safety pin to temporarily secure the pendant to |
| that your jewelry could use a quick cleanup to | | | | the lapel of your jacket. |
| remove dirt and grime, simply use warm soapy | | | | The information contained in this article is designed |
| water to spruce it up. This is a fast and easy | | | | to be used for reference only. It should not be |
| way to get rid of buildup on precious metal | | | | used as, in place of or in conjunction with |
| jewelry, including sterling silver. | | | | professional advice relating to jewelry repair. You |
| - A Tight Squeeze. Have a loose gemstone? In | | | | should not attempt to repair jewelry unless you |
| some cases, you can tighten the prongs that hold | | | | are familiar with the process, are a trained |
| the gemstone in place with a simple pair of | | | | jeweler or without the proper safety equipment |
| tweezers. It's important that you not squeeze too | | | | (including goggles to protect your eyes). Before |
| hard or you risk bending or breaking the prong(s) | | | | attempting to repair an expensive piece of |
| altogether. Instead, give just a small amount of | | | | jewelry or to avoid causing damage or breakage, |
| pressure and check to see if the process is | | | | consult a professional jeweler for additional |
| working. Repeat until the gemstone is tightened, | | | | information and/or questions regarding repair. |