1. What are some easy ways to clean or polish my jewelry?
(Easy no fuss cleaning). If you have been wearing your jewelry daily, you can gently wash it in luke warm water and mild dish soap. I prefer to avoid soaps with skin softeners, this could leave a light film on your jewelry. Extra polishing, oh no. And also leave the bleach and disinfectant additives in the cabinet. If you are concerned about thorough cleaning do a second wash in the mild soap and water with a non abrasive cloth. Rinse and dry with the dry non abrasive cloth. Ex., of non abrasive materials, - old soft cotton flannel shirt or “jammies”. - old tee cotton or cotton poly blend. Cut off buttons, zippers and heavy seamed areas. -soft lint free towel. Lay your jewelry flat to dry completely.
2. How about my jewelry with stones, gems or glass?
Just follow the basic jewelry cleaning guide above. Because of the type of stone or gem take care not to brush the surface of the stone. Most gems will not scratch easily but be careful anyway. If you need to clean around the setting, a very soft or child's toothbrush can get around the prongs and surface of the setting and jewelry piece. Natural stones generally have a high polish to them and can be porous at the same time. So easy does it, be nice, it took a (“ Gazillion”) years to make that stone and time to shape it to its beauty that spoke to you. Glass cabochons, beads, or molded forms are good. Like most things in life “don’t drop them”.
3. When wearing my jewelry are there times I should remove it before the activity?
Oh yes! If washing your hands (when heavily soiled) or you need to apply an abrasive or harsh chemical, take your jewelry off and wash your pieces separately. If you are like me, the more selections I have the more I love them. So when I wear the favorite “go to” pieces and it’s time to switch. Use a soft cloth to wipe down your jewelry. If it’s been next to the skin where we add our skin softeners, sun creams and perfume, my preference is to use a damp cloth wipe down and let it dry; then store it till next time. Remember, when you have the most fun outdoors, your jewelry is still a part of you so don’t wear it in the pool, in the Ocean or the sweat shop! (Gym). Yes I have lost my share of one “of the pair” or the whole thing! After play time you want to put it all back on. Copper jewelry can be a piece that may lose or add its patina when wet or next to skin oils for long periods of time. Cleaning and drying the piece should resolve that issue.
4. What are some easy way s to keep my “JEWELRY” in top form? Polishing!
Use a soft cloth with gentle motion and soapy water. There are many products on the jewelry market. “Sunshine cloth”, impregnated with (micro-abrasive) agent, again gentle motion to remove tarnish and finger prints ( from your skin oils) to bring out the beauty of your jewelry. There are different grades of the (micro abrasive) agents. Less is generally best for most decorative adorning pieces. The Burgundy/ yellow cloth is a general go to, the “Jewelers Rouge cloth”. There are numerous varieties, custom made for the jewelry products. Most area retail stores that sell jewelry or have a specific counter, will generally have safe polishing cloth products for sale. Go gentle, but lustrous.
5. How to store your perfectly lovely handmade pieces.
Jewelry cases and boxes are wonderful, and come in really big to really compact sizes. Drawer liners are great, less ability to get scratches. Use tissue paper and gently wrap your jewelry or use the white batting in cardboard jewelry with boxes are great to store. Your piece should be able to lay in the box flat, or go the next size up. Necklaces can lay in loose circles or loops as long as there is no tension on the wire or cording. Beautiful jewelry bags are very affordable and really nice when traveling. Be sure you have a section of sturdy case so the jewels don’t get crushed. If you want the low cost factor use Ziploc baggies. Yes I said it. In the baggie you can see what it is right away and you can add anti tarnish tabs in the baggie for long term storage or just to keep it away from air and moisture, which usually causes the tarnish, (oxidation).
