Jewelry is one of our most
precious and cherished possessions. Many a times, each piece has specific
memories for us and those memories make them even more precious. Taking care of
jewelry is therefore very essential, especially when you not only want to enjoy
them yourself but also want their heirloom quality sparkling for generations to
come.
A good pearl set has a place of
pride in any woman’s jewelry collection. Common day cosmetics such as hair
spray, perfume, lotions can damage the delicate nacre of pearls and corrode the
alloy of the setting. Exposure to heat and excessive sunlight can harm colored
gemstones in a pendent or necklace and affect its durability. Excessive heat
and sudden temperature changes fracture gemstones and easily remove the natural
moisture that keeps these gems resplendent. Pearls can dry out, crack and
discolor; your cherished amethyst
necklace may lose its play-of-color and your opal may turn white or
brown and may even develop tiny cracks. This is a catastrophe indeed! However,
knowing how you can care for your precious jewelry can make a world of
difference in keeping it beautiful and sparkling forever.
You can keep your gems sparkling
by cleaning them in warm water or detergent free mild soap with a soft
brush. A new, unused make-up brush works
really well. Surely you don’t want to chance a loose stone or a pearl getting
washed down the drain, so don’t forget to stop the sink drain or keep a rubber
mat to hold the stones. Remember that your favorite three
strand pearl necklace that you wear so often needs to be
restrung by a professional once a year. When you clean it in warm soapy water,
don’t forget to let it dry on a soft cloth or towel. Though you may be tempted
to wear it even though its string is a bit damp, do try and resist the impulse.
The damp string will attract dirt and sweat, rendering your earlier efforts to
clean it useless.
Wiping your pearl jewelry with a
damp cloth with soap water and drying it off, will ensure a long life of the
jewelry keeping it looking good as the day you first wore it. Also, avoid wearing pearls with lotion and cosmetics
around the neck as the cosmetic chemicals can react easily to reduce the
brilliance of the nacre of the pearls.
Also never get your jewelry in contact with carbonated water or
drinks.
When you get back home after a
late night party or a hard day at work, it’s tempting to fling your onyx necklace
into a drawer or on the dresser. This is a recipe for disaster. Gems are can be
easily scratched or fractured. Do take the time to keep them in the original
box or pouch, or invest in a good jewelry box that has individual slots or post
for hanging or placing your precious necklaces, rings, earrings and bracelets.
A little care and attention will go a long way
in keeping your cherished jewelry sparkling and pristine. When you are looking
to add more necklaces to your collection, do check the amazing array available
at www.necklacesareus.com.
