Jewelry Maintenance Secrets: Keep Your Treasures Shining Forever
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Jewelry is like the dazzling stars that add endless luster to our lives. However, if you want them to maintain their charming allure for a long time, proper maintenance is of vital importance. Here are some professional jewelry maintenance secrets.
I. Understand the Characteristics of Different Jewelry Materials
(1) Gold Jewelry
Gold is a relatively soft metal with stable chemical properties, but it's not indestructible either. Pure gold jewelry is easily scratched by sharp objects. Moreover, when it comes into contact with mercury-containing substances (such as some cosmetics and medicines), white spots may appear on it. K gold jewelry (an alloy containing other metals) has a higher hardness than pure gold, but over time, the plating on its surface may wear off or oxidize when exposed to the air, resulting in discoloration.
(2) Silver Jewelry
Silver is extremely prone to oxidation. When it reacts with sulfur in the air, black silver sulfide will be formed, which is why silver jewelry turns black after being worn for a long time. Besides, silver is relatively soft and is easily scratched and deformed during the wearing process.
(3) Diamond Jewelry
Diamond is the hardest substance in nature. However, it has lipophilic properties and is prone to adsorbing grease and dust, which will affect its sparkle. In addition, although diamond itself is not easily damaged when subjected to a violent impact, it may cause the setting to become loose and then the diamond may fall off.
(4) Gemstone Jewelry (Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, etc.)
Different gemstones have different hardness and chemical properties. For example, emeralds are usually quite brittle and are likely to develop cracks when bumped. Although rubies and sapphires have relatively high hardness, if they are exposed to high temperatures for a long time, their internal structures and colors may be affected. Moreover, in the process of setting, if the craftsmanship is poor or the gemstone jewelry is subjected to external impacts, the setting may become loose.
II. Key Points for Maintenance during Daily Wear
(1) Avoid Contact with Chemical Substances
When applying makeup, spraying perfume, applying sunscreen or using cleaning products, try not to wear jewelry as much as possible. The chemical substances in these products may damage the jewelry, such as corroding the metal or changing the color of the gemstones. If you accidentally come into contact with them, wipe the jewelry with a clean, soft cloth as soon as possible.
(2) Prevent Collisions and Scratches
Regardless of the material of the jewelry, avoid colliding or rubbing it against hard objects. When doing strenuous sports, doing housework or carrying heavy objects, it's best to take off the jewelry. When storing jewelry at ordinary times, also pay attention to separating jewelry made of different materials and with different hardnesses to avoid mutual friction. For example, you can use a special jewelry box where each piece of jewelry has its own independent storage space.
(3) Pay Attention to the Order of Wearing and the Environment
Put on jewelry before applying makeup and spraying perfume; take off jewelry before removing makeup. Also, try to avoid wearing jewelry when swimming, soaking in hot springs or at the seaside. Because the chlorine in swimming pools, the minerals in hot springs and the salt in seawater may all corrode the jewelry.
III. Regularly Clean Jewelry
(1) Cleaning of Gold and Silver Jewelry
For gold and silver jewelry that is not too dirty, you can gently scrub it with mild soapy water and a soft-bristled brush, then rinse it with clean water and finally dry it with a soft, lint-free cloth. If the jewelry is rather dirty or has stubborn stains, you can soak it in a professional jewelry cleaner for a period of time. However, be sure to follow the instructions of the cleaner and avoid soaking it for too long.
(2) Cleaning of Diamond Jewelry
You can use a special diamond cleaning solution, soak the diamond jewelry in it for a few minutes, then gently brush each facet of the diamond, especially the bottom and the setting area, with a soft-bristled brush. Finally, rinse it with clean water and dry it with a clean, soft cloth. You can also use a mixture of mild dishwashing liquid and warm water instead of the diamond cleaning solution, but make sure that the dishwashing liquid is completely dissolved to avoid residue.
(3) Cleaning of Gemstone Jewelry
For gemstone jewelry, choose an appropriate cleaning method according to the type of gemstone and the setting method. Generally speaking, you can gently wipe the surface of the gemstone with a soft, damp cloth, but avoid getting water into the setting area. For some gemstones with special cleaning requirements, such as emeralds, it's best to consult a professional jeweler or use cleaning products specially designed for them.
IV. Handling of Special Situations
(1) Treatment for Gold Jewelry Turning White or Black
If gold jewelry turns white due to contact with mercury-containing substances, you can heat it over an alcohol lamp for a while and then wipe it with a soft cloth, and the white spots will disappear. If the gold jewelry turns black, you can gently rub it with toothpaste. However, be sure to choose a mild toothpaste to avoid scratching the jewelry, then rinse it with clean water and dry it.
(2) Treatment for Silver Jewelry Turning Black
You can use a silver-specific polishing cloth to gently wipe the surface of the silver jewelry to remove part of the black oxide layer. You can also soak the silver jewelry in a solution mixed with white vinegar and water in a ratio of 1:2 for a few minutes, then rinse it with clean water and dry it. If the silver jewelry is severely oxidized, you can use a special silver jewelry cleaning solution, but pay attention to the frequency of using the cleaning solution to avoid excessive cleaning that may damage the silver jewelry.
(3) Handling of Loose Settings
If you notice that the setting of your jewelry is becoming loose, stop wearing it immediately and take it to a professional jewelry repair shop for repair. Don't try to repair it by yourself to avoid losing the gemstone or further damaging the jewelry.
Jewelry is our precious wealth. Through the correct maintenance methods, we can make them shine forever in the long river of time and accompany us through more wonderful times. We hope these maintenance secrets can help you take better care of your jewelry.