Gaby
Caring for Jewelry
Fashion, that little troublemaker, keeps reaching into the old jewelry chest. Old lace, romantic long skirts—and the jewelry, especially those multi-strand coral necklaces! My great-grandmother’s modest silver ring with coral or a turquoise stone holds value mostly because it’s a cherished memento of a loved one. That’s why it’s worth taking good care of these pieces.
Every piece of jewelry needs attention. Don’t just toss everything into a box; necklaces will tangle, and stones will scratch metal. If you don’t have special boxes, wrap each item separately in a soft cloth. Coral needs to be worn; without contact with skin, it can lose its luster and even deteriorate.
Inspect, clean, and rearrange your jewelry from time to time. Wash gold pieces in soapy water; if they’re heavily soiled, use a soft toothbrush. For cleaning stone settings, twist some cotton around a toothpick and use cologne or a mild ammonia solution. Polish the ring with flannel or suede. To keep dirt from building up between the setting and the stone, take off your ring when you wash your hands.
Clean silver and nickel-silver jewelry the same way. Tarnish on silver comes off easily—just polish those areas. Soak a silver bracelet or chain in warm soapy water for a while. Use tooth powder as an alternative cleaning agent.
Wash glass beads with a solution of laundry detergent. Clean larger beads (unless they are artificial pearls) with a brush. Don’t wash wooden jewelry; wipe it with flannel. Clean copper pieces with a mixture of chalk and ammonia, or simply rub them to a shine with dry cotton. Copper and silver will tarnish over time. To prevent jewelry from staining clothes, coat the back with clear nail polish.
One more thing: store jewelry properly. For peace of mind at home—especially if you have children—don’t keep these items in plain sight; problems can arise when such trinkets suddenly go missing without a trace.
