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Clean Those Gifts of Jewelry

We love to the Gift of Jewelry! Do You Know How to Care for It?

Rubbing alcohol is great for cleaning costume jewelry. Be careful and don’t soak it to let the glue loosen. Clean it quickly.
Costume jewelry that does not contain glue can be cleaned with denture-cleaning tablets. Drop a few tablets in a cup of warm water and allow the jewelry to soak for 5 minutes or so. Rinse and dry well. For intricate pieces, dry with a blow-dryer.
Remove dirt from intricate pieces by brushing with a soft-bristle toothbrush and some white, non-gel toothpaste. Rinse by brushing with a clean toothbrush and just water. Dry well.
Clean diamonds by placing in a tea strainer and dipping them in a pot of boiling water into which you have added several drops of ammonia and a drop or two of dishwashing liquid. Immerse for a few short seconds and then rinse in cold water. Pat dry. This may be used for hard stones such as diamonds, rubies and sapphires. Do not use this method on emeralds.
Emeralds are extremely soft. They can crack easily and absorb water. Do not soak them or immerse them in water. Buff with a soft toothbrush. If you want a thorough cleaning, take them to a professional.
Remove tarnish from silver with a paste of lemon juice and baking soda. Apply the mixture with a soft toothbrush, then allow to dry. Remove with a clean, dry toothbrush and polish with a clean, soft cloth.
Jade can be washed in mild, soapy water. Dry immediately.
Opals and turquoise are porous stones that should not be washed. Brush settings with a dry, soft toothbrush and shine with a soft cloth.
Wash gold in a bowl of soapy water. A soft, gentle stroke with a soft toothbrush will help clean crevices, details and links. Dry with a soft, lint-free towel and then buff with a chamois of microfiber cloth.