| One thing you can do to protect your jewelry is | | | | Don't take silver jewelry into the pool or any |
| not wear them when your gardening, housework, | | | | other water. The chlorine in the water will discolor |
| swimming or other activity where you have a | | | | your silver. |
| greater chance of damaging or losing them. The | | | | Ultrasonic cleaners are not recommended as the |
| chemicals in pools can discolor or damage your | | | | vibrations they make can enlarge inclusions and |
| jewelry. | | | | make them more noticeable. |
| Get a jewelry box and/or wrap each piece of | | | | To help prevent damage to your jewelry, don't |
| jewelry with paper, velvet or silk. The harder | | | | put them on until you have your makeup, |
| stones like diamonds could scratch your pearls or | | | | hairspray, perfume or anything else on. The stuff |
| other jewelry and that could happen if you | | | | that is in these products could harm your jewelry. |
| "throw" your jewelry all in the same place. Keep | | | | Put bracelets on your opposite hand if your right |
| everything from touching each other, even from | | | | or left handed. Less wear may occur because it's |
| itself. | | | | not the main hand used. |
| If you have jewelry and it came in a box and | | | | If shipping your jewelry to be cleaned or repaired |
| wrapping keep it. Put the jewelry back in the box | | | | use a shipper that has tracking and get it insured. |
| when your not wearing it. | | | | Turquoise should be put in warm water and you |
| To check for loose stones place the piece next | | | | should use a soft toothbrush on it. It should then |
| to your ear and tap gently with your finger. | | | | be washed off with warm water and let it air-dry. |
| Something might be loose if you hear any | | | | Coming in contact with cleaning solutions like |
| movement from the piece. You should check for | | | | ammonia can discolor or damage it. |
| this on a regular basis, more if you wear the | | | | Silver can be rinsed in warm water and pat it dry. |
| piece regularly. | | | | You can use silver cleaner but don't use an |
| Pearls should be restrung every couple of years. | | | | abrasive cleaner or a toothbrush as it can scratch |
| If you clean them use a mild soapy water. Rinse | | | | it. |
| them well after. | | | | Pricing for cleaning will vary by type of jewelry |
| You should have your fine jewelry looked and | | | | and the place you take it too. If you recently |
| possibly cleaned by a professional once a year. | | | | bought jewelry from a store they might clean |
| Before cleaning jewelry make sure the stones are | | | | and inspect it for free on an annual basis or |
| not loose. When cleaning you don't want them | | | | something like that. They can also give you a |
| coming out. | | | | repair quote for any repairs needed. Before |
| To loosen dirt around the prongs you can use a | | | | getting it repaired or professionally cleaned, |
| soft brush with the hard gemstones. Using | | | | document and take pictures of your jewelry |
| toothpaste is not a good idea because it is an | | | | before. Just so you have proof if the jewelry |
| abrasive and can damage some soft gems and | | | | should be chipped, damaged or has some other |
| metals. | | | | problem with it. |