Simple guide to take care of your jewellery

Safe keeping

While you work really hard to nourish your skin, hair and nails, it is extremely important to nourish and pamper your precious and delicate jewellery to ensure it retains its sheen, an expert tells IANS.

Sonal Dang, jewellery designer, BlueStone.com, has shared quick tips on care for your fine jewellery that tends to lose its sheen over a period of time due to dust, pollution and frequent wear.

Care tip for gold jewellery: Add a few drops of liquid detergent in a bowl of lukewarm water. Mix gently. You can even use sodium-free carbonated water or club soda for better results. The carbonation in these liquids can help loosen accumulated dust.

 Care tip for your pretty pearls: For soft and porous materials like pearls and turquoise stones, soap and water works just fine to get them looking their best. Clean your string of pearls by dipping them quickly in a solution of two cups warm water and a few drops of mild detergent. Wipe each pearl with a soft, dry cotton cloth and lay flat to dry. Just so you know, pearls actually stay polished from frequent wear, so don't be afraid to accessorise.

 Care tip for diamond and gemstones: Soak them in warm water and mix with one-two drops of ammonia based household cleaner (like gentle liquid dishwasher solution). Use a soft bristle toothbrush to remove residues. Rinse thoroughly in plain water and air-dry.

For more delicate gemstones, use warm water and avoid harsh chemicals and cleaners. Do not use tissue paper or paper towels to clean gemstones to avoid scratching. Use regular glass cleaner. One of the most convenient and handy cleaning method among jewellers is to simply wipe down your gems with regular household glass cleaner. The cleaner quickly absorbs dirt leaving behind an effervescent shine.

Know when to clean with ammonia: Ammonia is a powerful cleaner, but, chemically, it renders a caustic effect. However, do note that ammonia is a good option for occasional (but not frequent) cleansing. Clean your diamonds regularly using a commercial jewellery cleaner, a mix of ammonia and water, or a mild detergent. Dip the jewellery into the solution and use a soft brush to dislodge dust or dirt from under the setting.

 Care tip for all types of jewellery: Weird but true, your most accessible household object is also the most useful when it comes to cleaning your precious jewels. Mix a small quantity of toothpaste and water. Toothpaste is good for loosening up grime that’s accumulated on your favourite pieces of gold jewellery without scratching them. You can also use this method for frequently worn gold items that need a quick clean or when you don't have access to other cleaning materials.