Jewelry cleaning tips
Why do people buy jewelry? Jewelry is not only nice to look at but also a very good investment. Like real estate, jewelry increases in value as it ages. However, that does not mean that your jewelry should look as old as it really is. Most appraisers will raise their eyebrows when they find pieces of jewelry that have not been taken care of because this depreciates their value.
So basically the key here is maintenance. No, you do not have to go to a jewelry shop and pay for the cleaning of your jewelry. Jewelry cleaning tips that you find on the Internet or from friends are usually very practical and the tools you need can usually be found in your own home.
If you have sterling silver jewelry in your home, you may find that baking soda is very good to polish it. Mix equal parts baking soda and water, dip your silver in the solution. Take a soft, clean cloth and polish dry. Before you know it your sterling silver will be sparkling clean.
Baking soda is only one neat trick to clean jewelry, there are many others as well. Besides, you should know your cleaners, even if they are homemade. For example: do not use baking soda on precious gems or jewels because you are going to scratch them and they will be ruined.
Before you begin the task, make sure that all the gemstones are not loose or broken. If you think that any part of the jewelry would be more damaged in the process, set it aside until you have it repaired. Also, to maintain the luster of your precious pieces, avoid getting makeup, creams or hair products on them. The chemicals on cosmetics usually have a negative effect on those beautiful gems. It is also wise to take them off during bath time. Jewelry will not get clean when you are taking a shower. Not only will it not clean your jewelry but it will also make it appear old and rustic. The exact opposite of what you want your jewelry to look like. You can also use toothpaste to make gold and silver shine. The fluoride in the toothpaste especially white toothpaste is the active ingredient that makes gold and silver look their best.
Sparkling jewelry even when it ages is a really great valuable you can pass on to your children. They will treasure your jewelry like family heirlooms. All you have to do is maintain your jewelry by keeping it clean and shiny.
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