How to Clean and Care for Fashion Jewelry

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By nank712, eHow Member

Article Rating: (4 Ratings)

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Gold and Silver Chainmaille Bracelet

Fashion jewelry has been, is, and will continue to be in style. Fashion jewelry is your middle range jewelry such as that found in department stores or handmade, and normally includes sterling silver, gold fill, silver or gold plate, crystals, semi-precious stones, freshwater pearls, etc. ("Fine" jewelry includes 24 k gold, platinum, precious stones, and sometimes sterling.) Fashion jewelry is beautiful, and only an expert can tell it from "fine" jewelry. In time, however, it can become dull. Here are some ways to add longer life to your jewelry:

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Jewelry
Clear liquid dish detergent
Chalk
Jeweler's Polishing Cloth

Step 1

1. You need a regular bath; so does your jewelry! Such things as lotions, hairspray, perfume and general wear dull even the finest jewelry. So periodically give your jewelry a bath. For metals, crystals and semi-precious stones, wash in cool water using a clear liquid detergent such as Ivory or Dawn. (Only use clear liquid, avoiding the lotion-type detergents, which will leave a residue on your jewelry.) After washing, be sure to rinse thoroughly! Lay jewelry on a towel to air dry or, if you're in a hurry, gently pat dry with a soft. You might also try a hairdryer on low heat.
Step 2

2. Pearls are soft and can be damaged by harsh treatment. They also are often strung on cord rather than wire. If soaked, moisture can seep into the pearl and eventually rot the cord. It is best to clean pearls by wiping with a soft cloth.
Step 3

3. Keep a jeweler's polishing cloth on hand for quick touchups. A word of warning, however: if you have both argentium and standard sterling silver, keep a cloth for each. A cloth that has been used to clean standard sterling can actually cause the argentium to tarnish! (If you are unsure what type of sterling you have, there is a way to tell: sterling turns dark as it tarnishes, while argentium turns white.)
Step 4

4. Store your jewelry in a jewelry box rather than dumped and tangled together in a pile on the dresser.
Step 5

5. Place a piece of blackboard chalk in your jewelry box. This absorbs moisture and will keep your silver jewelry bright and shiny for a longer time.
Step 6

6. Avoid wearing your fashion jewelry around the clock --- don't sleep in it, wear it in the shower or when you swim. And never, ever wear it in the ocean!
Step 7

7. If you are using lotion, hairspray and/or perfume, spritz and lather away --- but only before putting on your jewelry!

Comments

barbiecrafts said

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on 9/19/2009 GREAT and accurate tips.....5 reccomended

goilaswati said

on 8/28/2009 Wow.. .great tips. Definitely a 5*. Thanks for the information.

mhnq3 said

on 8/21/2009 THAT IS SO CLEVER I NEVER KNEW THAT YOU COULD USE CHALKBOARD CHALK TO ABSORB THE MOISTURE. I HAVE A LARGE JEWELRY ARMOIRE BUT SOME OF MY "FASHION" PIECES ARE TURNING AND I THINK THIS MAY HELP SINCE I FOLLOW ALL OF THE OTHER NORMAL PRECAUTIONS. THANKS 5* REC