How to Care for Your Precious Metal Jewelry
Caring for Gold jewelry A little time and effort on your part will keep your gold jewelry looking new from the day you purchase it. Gold is lasting and durable but can get scratched or dented if treated roughly. The most important steps to care for your gold jewelry include:- Make sure that all jewelry is removed during rough work or when handling harsh chemicals. Gold's worst enemy is chlorine, so be careful not to wear it in swimming pools or Jacuzzis.
- It is generally best to clean your jewelry with warm water, mild soap (not detergent), and a soft toothbrush. Rinse under warm running water and pat dry with a soft, lint-free cloth.
- Store it in a fabric-lined box away from other pieces to preserve it from getting scratched
- Periodically inspect your gold for weakness or damage and take it to a professional jeweler for immediate repair if you notice any deterioration. Your jeweler will be able to preserve it for you.
Store your sterling silver jewelry in tarnish prevention cloths or bags. The treated cloth slows down the tarnishing process and keeps the jewelry from rubbing against harder jewelry that can scratch it. Try to keep your sterling silver jewelry in a cool, dry place.
Clean sterling silver with a phosphate free detergent. A low abrasive cleaner, such as 3M Tarni-Shield Silver Polish, is a good choice for removing light tarnish. Some people use toothpaste to clean their sterling silver, but most silver experts caution against it because they feel toothpaste is too abrasive and leaves dulling scratches.
Sterling silver jewelry that is worn continually often develops a lovely patina, a kind of glow combined with darkened areas. If you like the look, leave it alone. If you prefer a bright and shiny look for your sterling silver, use polish to restore the jewelry to its original appearance.
Caring for Palladium Jewelry Palladium jewelry is precious and will last a lifetime or longer when properly cared for. When any article of jewelry including Palladium jewelry is worn around the clock, you should consider the following:
- Avoid wearing palladium rings while engaging in manual labor (gardening or working outside) or rigorous recreational activities requiring contact with equipment or rough surfaces.
- Bed linens are abrasive to all jewelry. It is advisable to not wear Palladium jewelry to bed at night to reduce minor surface wear as a result.
- Dust and dirt are abrasive elements and can cause your Palladium jewelry to lose its luster.
Lotions, powders, soaps, hair spray, perfume and natural skin oils will create a film over Palladium jewelry which will ultimately diminish its luster and brightness. Put your jewelry on after application of makeup and skin products has been completed. The most effective way to clean your Palladium jewelry is to wash it in a solution made up of mild liquid detergent and warm water.
