how to caring for your jewelry

Which of the following scratches most easily?

Glass

Pure gold

Pure platinum

Since pure gold is the softest, it's the easiest to scratch. Glass. which is softer than most gemstones, ranges from 3  to 30
times harder than gold. Platinum is about twice as hard as gold. This means
that if you place jewelry in box on other pieces, it's almost sure to get
scratched by gemstones or metal. Therefore, when you store jewelry, place each
piece in a separate pouch or plastic bag, or wrap them individually in soft
material. Padded bags with lots of pockets are also handy for storing jewelry.

Cleaning Jewelry Mountings

Brushes can scratch gold and platinum too. Therefore, you should avoid using them to clean it. Instead use a soft cloth to rub dirt off the metal. The safest
cleaning solution for jewelry is warm with a mild liquid detergent. Never boil
jewelry. This can cause the stones to crack or change color.

Jewelers also like to use sudsy ammonia. It's safe to use on gold and platinum, but it can damage stones such as pearls. Avoid cleaning gold with toothpaste, powder
cleansers or scouring pads because can wear away the metal.

Since jewelry gold is not pure, a variety of chemical products  may discolor or dissolve it. A few of these products and their affect on gold alloys are as follows :

Chlorine-it can pit and dissolve the metal. causing prongs to snap and mountings to break apart. Afterwards. it might appear as if you've been sold defective or fake
gold jewelry. Therefore, avoid wearing gold jewelry in swimming pools or hot
tubs that have chlorine disinfectants, and never soak it or clean it with
bleach.

Lotions and cosmetics-besides leaving a film on the jewelry piece, they may tarnish it, especially if it's made of 10K gold. If possible, put your jewelry on last. after
applying make-up and spraying your hair.

Perm solutions-they have a tendency to turn 10K gold and low-karat solder joints dark brown or black.

Some  medications-they cause a chemical reaction in certain people. This can  make their skin turn black when it comes into contact with a gold alloy.

Polishing compounds-they can blacken your skin if they remain on the gold. Polishing cloths sold in jewelry stores  may contain a
mild abrasive for shining the metal. When using these cloths be sure to wash or
wipe the  metal thoroughly afterwards.

Other Tips

If possible, avoid wearing jewelry while participating in contact sports or doing housework, gardening, repairs, etc. The mounting can be damaged, and stones can
be chipped, scratched and cracked. If during rough work, you want to wear a
ring for sentimental reasons or to avoid losing tower protective gloves. Hopefully,
your ring has smooth setting style with no high prongs.

When you go to bed, either take your ring off or turn them towards your palm. While sleeping, you probably unconsciously hit your rings against the sheets.

When you set jewelry near a sink, make sure the drains are plugged or that it's put in a protective container. Otherwise, don't take the jewelry off.

Clean your jewelry near a sink, make sure the drains are plugged or that it's put in a protective container. Otherwise, don't take the jewelry off.

Clean your jewelry on a regular basis. Then you won't have to use risky procedures to clean it later on.

Avoid exposing your jewelry to sudden changes of temperature. Keep jewelry away from steam and hot pots and ovens in the kitchen.

About every six months, have a jewelry professional check your ring for loose stones or wear on the mounting.