Tuesday, February 7, 2012

What You Need Know about Gold Jewelry

September 4, 2010 by cattleto  
Filed under Jewelry Tips

You have shopped for gold jewelry at some point in your life haven’t you? Depending on where you looked for your jewelry, most probably you have been met with a number of any decisions;- white, yellow, green, gold-filled, rose, vermeil, gold-plated, 18K, 14K, 10K, etc. if you are like many people, you must have wondered what the actual difference in all these varieties is.

Gold filled is the cheapest type of gold available because it isn’t a solid item. Most jewelry items have a base metal, mostly brass, which is coated with a very thin layer of actual gold. Gold filled is often used to make affordable jewelry items, although sadly it is never used in making Children and Baby jewelry as it is less expensive. Many people don’t want to spend a lot of cash for a kid’s bracelet as children can outgrow bracelets very fast and can even lose them easily if they aren’t very careful.

Needless to mention, this can be very dangerous because of the inclusion of very cheap base metal ingredients like lead which are often used in jewelry items to reduce the costs. As such, buyers should beware as even though this kind of jewelry is Ok for adults, shopping for jewelry for kids below the age of 12 should be done sparingly.

Electroplating and gold-plate are exactly as they sound. A very thin layer or plate of gold is normally electroplated on the base-metal object. Electroplating is done on the base metal very thinly hence it may wear off entirely after being worn for some period of time. This is the kind of jewelry you will put on and realize your skin turns green and you feel itchy. It therefore goes without saying that you will be wasting your money and time investing in this type of jewelry. Additionally, the base metal is normally believed to have lead on it hence may be bad for your health so to speak.

When talking of karats, pure gold will normally be 24 karats but because it is very malleable and soft, 10k, 14k, and 18k are mostly used for gold jewelry. When you hear of 10k, it means that the jewelry contains 10 parts pure gold and the remaining 14 parts of a metal alloy, normally brass. 14k means fourteen parts of pure gold i.e. 58% and the remaining ten parts of metal alloy. As is obvious then, the higher the number the more pure, and softer the gold is.

It is important to note that gold is also available in a variety of colors that you can choose from. For instance, white Gold is as a result of the addition of nickel, silver, or zinc to pure gold. Rose gold appears rent or pinkish in color and results by the addition of pure copper. Rose gold is otherwise known as vermeil. The more you add copper the redder or pinker results you end up with. Green-gold on the other hand appears yellowish in color with a slight hint of green and occurs when pure silver and pure gold are combined.

Now that you know the differences in the common terms used to refer to gold jewelry, you can be able to make an informed decision when shopping for gold jewelry, and most importantly you can be able to get a great ROI.

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Precious and Semi-Precious Stones

August 16, 2010 by cattleto  
Filed under Jewelry Tips

In ancient times, precious stones were ruby, diamond, emerald, pearl, sapphire, and at times the opal also fell in this category of precious stones. All other stones were considered semi-precious. Among these semi-precious stones, which were further considered to be less expensive than their precious counterparts are amethyst, aquamarine, turquoise, opal, peridot, alexandrite, tourmaline, topaz, and the garnet. Note however that the green garnet can cost you more. Generally though, these terms are commonly used in the world of jewelry.

The first initial understanding you may have is that precious stones are highly priced, are of greater importance and greater quality when compared to their semi-precious counterparts which are thought to be of less commercial value and are of less quality. Be advised that precious and semi-precious are mere marketing terms and can ultimately confuse and mislead you. This is because many semi-precious stones e.g. the beautiful but rare Tanzanite can cost you as much as $1000per carat. Therefore, you should never be deceived to think that just because a stone is called semi-precious it means it is less expensive.

On the other hand, you can buy a diamond for as little as $200 a carat while a garnet which has always fallen under the semi-precious category could go for over $500 per carat. With that said, the labels precious and semi-precious should be completely neglected because whether a gemstone is thought as precious or semi-precious has very little to do with how much the gemstone will cost. The labels as mentioned can be very misleading as they are very inaccurate.

As the example above of the beautiful Tanzanite gemstone, many other gemstones today could easily fall under the precious gemstone category because of their high price and increase in scarcity. One of the major factors that determine the cost of a given gemstone is rarity. Therefore, the value of the same shouldn’t increase or decrease just because the gemstone is categorized as semi-precious or precious.

Generally, semi-precious and precious are simply labels that help buyers and sellers of gemstones to categorize them, but in no way determine their value or importance. Here are a few terms you should familiarize yourself with as far as terminology in the world of gemstones is concerned.

1.Gem –this is a naturally occurring mineral/material that has already been cut and well polished
2.Gemstone – it is a piece of the gem i.e. the cut stone
3.Jewel – it is gemstone which has been put in a metal so that it can be worn i.e. the combination of gemstone and metal
4.Synthetic – as the name would suggest, this is a man-made/artificial material that is in no way equal to a gem/mineral
5.Simulant – this is a material that looks like another material. For example, glass when used to substitute emerald or ruby

Those are the common terms you are highly likely to come across when looking for gemstones. Therefore, the next time you go out to look for stones, be advised that the value isn’t determined by how precious or semi-precious thereof, a stone is. It is determined by how rare the stone is.

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How to Store Silver Jewelry

August 10, 2010 by cattleto  
Filed under Jewelry Tips

Taking Care of your Silver Jewelry

Silver is one of the oldest metals available today and dates back to primordial Byzantine civilizations. Silver as a metal is smelted from ore which is then used to make very beautiful and shining jewelry. Further, silver happens to be one of the most adaptable and durable metals in the world today. In addition to hard-wearing and attractive jewelry, silver metal has also been used to make such things as boxes and buttons, and utensils – the well-known silverware tea sets and silver trays which have been cherished and respected heirlooms throughout the ages.

Silver as a metal is extremely soft to be used alone to make jewelry. As such, it is always mixed with other metal alloys to end up with a very durable and long-wearing sterling silver. In an effort to protect consumers, the Federal Trade Commission has set standards and rules in place that expects a product to be sold as sterling silver, i.e. at least 92.5% of the item should be pure silver, with the alloy is only used to make the silver product durable and long-lasting.

One of the most popular alloys used to create a well balanced sterling silver while at the same time add firmness is copper. However, copper is known to cause some tarnishing or darkening to occur your silver, reason why you have to take care of your silver jewelry to keep it shiny and sparkling for as long as possible.

To extend its charm and beauty, you may want to apply a thin plait of Egyptian lacquer on your silver jewelry. Egyptian lacquer is known to help prevent silver jewelry from tarnishing. Further, you should avoid exposing your silver jewelry to chlorinated bleach/water.

Never let your silver jewelry be exposed to air for longer periods of time as it will react to the sulfur and hydrogen sulfide present in air. These ingredients will pile up with time making the jewelry dull and it will only be a matter of time before it loses its luster.

Always store silver jewelry in a cool dry place away from any form of direct sunlight and sometimes even including artificial light.

Shopping for Silver Jewelry Online

August 3, 2010 by cattleto  
Filed under Jewelry Tips

The cost of silver has increased progressively over time, thus creating high demand and greater value. Just like platinum and gold, silver is a very precious metal with its value going beyond its aesthetic appeal. As a rule of thumb, a metal is considered precious when it is believed to be rare. Just like gold, silver has been used as currency by several nations, thanks to its great value. Today however, it is bought mainly for jewelry and investments. Beyond doubt, the market value of silver is an additional incentive when buying silver jewelry. There are some guidelines to help you when shopping for silver jewelry online so that you can have a valuable, safe, and secure transaction.

First and foremost, as is with buying any other commodity online, it is highly recommended that you establish the integrity and credibility of any e-seller website that you visit. This you do by searching within the website for icons referring clients to established and credible third party organizations working with information security and consumer reviews. Normally, you can look at the company information or a certificate on the third party websites that give you an unbiased view of the online retailer in question. Ensure you take a closer look at the dates on the certificates to ascertain their validity and ensure they aren’t expired.

The second most important thing is the warranty. Usually there would be a 30 day period offered for both exchanges and refunds. As is with any other commodity, a reputable and good retailer will always give their products a very strong warranty. Always feel free to contact your chosen e-retailer to inquire about the warranty. This way, you also get to find out about their level of customer support by how they will respond to your queries. After establishing the integrity and credibility of your selected e-retailer, and verified a very strong and valid warranty, you can then go ahead and search for your jewelry.

Once you find a desirable piece of jewelry made of silver, you should do a thorough inspection to verify that the jewelry is indeed .925 sterling silver. Silver as it is, is a very soft metal when in its purest form to be used for ornamental wear. As such, it will be mixed with several alloys to make it ‘usable’ so to speak. The .925 means that the piece of jewelry is made up of 92.5% silver and the rest is the alloy used. Basically, this is the industry acceptable standard and is the maximum level of silver you can ever get in any jewelry today. Genuine silver will normally be stamped with the .925 which if it isn’t visible on your screen, you can email or call your e-retailer to verify the presence of a stamp or you can hold your horses and wait to physically inspect the jewelry upon receiving it.

With your piece of silver at hand, you have to be aware of silver finishing. Naturally, silver jewelry spots a somewhat dull grayish tone hence will need an occasional finishing. Several techniques can be used to finish silver jewelry i.e. rhodium coating, enamel coating, and nickel plaiting. Finishing provides a shiny tone on your piece of sterling silver in addition to providing extra protection against tarnishing. Be advised that silver jewelry generally starts to tarnish or darken over time through the chemical process known as oxidation. Note however that this doesn’t devalue the metal itself.

Keep in mind that silver jewelry that contain nickel can at times cause an allergic reaction which manifest as green coloration on the skin. This is however very rare and not really dangerous. You should question your e-seller about nickel free pieces of silver jewelry. With these guidelines, you can be able to walk away with a satisfying piece of jewelry.

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Characteristics and Attributes of Gold

July 22, 2010 by cattleto  
Filed under Jewelry Tips

Unquestionably, gold remains as the definitive medium of jewelry expression. For hundreds upon hundreds of years, gold has enticed man with its unrivaled charm and beauty, its glow and warm irresistible luster, and its remarkable attributes. Jewelers and artisans alike have crafted gold into very stunning pieces of jewelry that are not only inestimable but eternal. Gold is undoubtedly one of the most precious metals of the earth, the most ductile, malleable, and pliable metal ever known to man. A single ounce of gold has the ability to stretch into a thin wire of almost 5 miles.

Gold can be found anywhere even though it can be very hard to extract gold in its purest form. Even though platinum is highly priced when compared to gold, gold remains unrivaled as the most popular jewelry metal. Gold does not rust or corrode and jewelry made from it is exceptionally durable. In other words, the karat quality is used to determine just how pure gold is. For example, 14-karat gold means that 14 parts of that given piece is pure gold which is mixed with 10 parts of a base metal. The reason why gold is mixed with a base metal is to boost its durability bearing in mind that 24-karat gold, or pure gold is very soft and pliable.

Most gold jewelry pieces are always marked with the karat quality to help consumers verify that the product in question is truly made of gold. Rings, bracelets, chains, pendants, charms, earrings, and brooches are few of the countless jewelry pieces that gold can be crafted into. Further, thanks to its amazing qualities, gold can be used for other purposes such as in coinage, dentistry, and for industrial purposes. The value of gold has been used to form the monetary base of many nations today.

There is no investment that can be equaled to the investment in gold. You can never have a complete jewelry collection if you lack gold jewelry. Its sensual, radiant, and warm quality makes it a perfect gift for wedding rings or other jewelry gift for a loved one. Before buying gold, you have to be familiar with such things as the karat quality, and terminologies such as rolled gold plate, gold overlay, and gold filled. Note that when buying gold, you might find some piece plated with gold meaning that the base metal has a layer of gold. With time, the gold layer will wear away which will depend on how regular the piece if used.

When choosing to invest in gold jewelry, it is very important to understand the different characteristics and qualities of gold so that you can know exactly what you are getting. Generally, gold jewelry has several finishes such as matte gold. This finish is achieved by use of an abrasive which results in a dull, non-reflective surface. The second finish is the high-polish finish and as the name would suggest, the piece of jewelry is well polished to a nearly mirror-like shine.

Even though gold is stunning by itself, it is not uncommon to find gemstones inlaid with gold to augment a higher dimension of value and beauty. Whether you want to buy a simple gold chain, a chubby gold bracelet, or a gold ring beautifully engraved with your names or those of your loved one, ensure you select a piece of gold jewelry that matches your personality. Be sure to find one that perfectly matches your personality. Besides, wearing gold enhances your looks, giving you style and class. Undoubtedly, gold continues to beguile men and women, and is yet to be replaced as the ultimate metal for jewelry.

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Affordable Home Remedies for Cleaning Silver Jewelry

July 14, 2010 by cattleto  
Filed under Jewelry Tips

We all love putting on silver jewelry don’t we? These pieces of jewelry are very charming and attractive thanks to the lustrous and shiny finish they possess. You can go for a delicate filigree piece of jewelry or a chunky clannish piece and all else in between as long as it suits your tastes and preferences. Sadly though, it will only be a matter of time before you notice the once lustrous and shiny silver jewelry is turning black or having a very ugly tarnish which needless to mention, takes away all the beauty of these wonderful pieces of jewelry. And this is when you ask yourself ‘which is the best and safest way to clean my silver jewelry?’

First things first, silver blackens or tarnishes when exposed to polluted air, water, soap, perspiration, and chlorine. The presence of sulfides and humidity are culprits too for silver jewelry blackening. Well you can do very little concerning the kind of air your piece of jewelry is exposed to when you wear it, but there are some things that you can do to take care of it when storing it.

First of all, always wipe your silver jewelry using a soft piece of clean cloth before storing it. Always store your jewelry in a dry dark place.  It is recommended that you wrap your jewelry in a tissue paper and seal it securely in a zip lock pouch.

Even with all this care, you cannot entirely protect the jewelry from blackening or tarnishing. Therefore, it will necessitate regular cleaning of the jewelry to maintain its luster and charm. There are several ways of cleaning your silver jewelry. The simplest you can do is give your jewelry a thorough buffing using a clean and soft piece of cloth. This simple act alone is enough to reinstate your jewelry’s old shine. What is more, it is the surest method that doesn’t remove the finish from your jewelry.

The patina or finish if you like, improves over time and is what gives your jewelry the soft lustrous look. Other ways of cleaning silver jewelry can remove the patina exposing it to all sorts of chemicals. The second home remedy of cleaning silver jewelry is using ordinary non abrasive toothpaste. You simply use a soft bristled toothbrush to gently brush through your jewelry, which should then be followed by washing it thoroughly using water. After which you should wipe dry and use a sunshine piece of cloth to dry and buff it completely.

Baking powder and hot water is another affordable home remedy for cleaning silver jewelry. First and foremost, you should line a small basin with an aluminum foil and then spread all your silver pieces on it. Dub your jewelry copiously using baking soda, and then pour very hot water over them. Turn the pieces using a rod until all parts are soaked in water, and then remove them after two minutes. Wash using clean water, aerate and dry and then buff them to dry completely.

If all home remedies fail, your last resort to very stubborn blackening or tarnish should be in cleaning liquids sold in the market. As mentioned, these should be your last resort when all else has failed. The reason for this is because they take away the finish from your silver jewelry leaving them with a sort-of artificial shiny look. Commercial jewelry cleaning solutions can substantially harm soft gemstones; hence you should thoroughly wash clean and dry them completely before carefully buffing them. Needless to mention, only when you take good care of your silver jewelry will they take care of your pride as you wear them charmingly.

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Displaying Sophisticated Elegance with Gold Jewelry

July 8, 2010 by cattleto  
Filed under Jewelry Tips

Gold jewelry looks good on all people and can never go out of vogue why? Because it is the definitive combination of affluence, classical beauty, and style. The value of jewelry made of gold is determined not by the designer who makes it or its style, but also more importantly by the worth or quality of gold used to make the jewelry. Basically, the quality of gold in a given jewelry is determined by the sum percentage of gold, something commonly referred to as karat.

Gold Karats available include 24K, 18K, 14K, 12K, and 10K,  with 24K being the purest form of gold you will ever lay your hands on. It therefore goes without saying that the higher the number of karats available in a given piece of gold jewelry the higher the proportion of pure gold.

Gold jewelry is further available in a number of forms. At times it comes plated with gold, at other times it comes filled with gold, and still at other times the jewelry comes as a 24K — pure gold. It is to be noted that gold by its self is extremely soft therefore it cannot be used to make jewelry for daily use. Again, gold is very expensive hence the reason why it is mixed with several other metals to make it more durable, to reduce its cost, and give it a flexible strength that can be shaped into different designs.

Mixing gold with other metals further allow jewelers to completely or partially alter the original color of gold. Nickel or palladium when added to gold results in white gold. The addition of copper results in a pink or rose hue, and the addition of silver results in a greenish hue. If you are looking to buy gold jewelry for day-to-day use, it is recommended that you go for gold jewelry made of rock-hard gold. Solid gold or rock-hard gold is a term used to explain an item that has at least 10K. Despite the fact that this is a gold alloy, 14K, 18K, and everything else down to 10k is considered rock-hard/solid gold.

Since time immemorial, gold has been seen as an icon of power, prestige, and affluence and was the definitive and characteristic decorative element for queens, kings, and noblemen. It reached a point in time that the rich and poor in the society were defined by gold jewelry, it was considered a status symbol for wealth hence wasn’t meant for every Tom Dick and Harry so to speak. Because not everyone can afford to buy gold jewelry today, thanks to harsh economic times and stuff, it is still seen as a symbol of defining class in the society. However, thanks to the many forms in which gold jewelry is available today i.e. gold filled, plated gold, gold coated, and jewelry of solid gold, pretty much everyone can now afford to own at least a piece of gold jewelry.

Boiled down, gold jewelry doesn’t necessarily mean elaborate and very big designs; even the smallest and most simplistic design can make the jewelry unique. There is an ageless charm and classic appeal that surrounds these jewelries no wonder they can never go out of vogue. What is more, gold jewelry is not only an ornament for aesthetic appeal that you can buy for yourself or gift a loved one, it is one of the best and most valuable investments that you can have. By simply buying and keeping gold jewelry, you get to reap a very huge ROI because of the simple reason that gold jewelry doesn’t depreciate in value, if anything, it is always appreciating owing to its rarity.

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The Nature of Gold Jewelry

June 28, 2010 by cattleto  
Filed under Jewelry Tips

The elaborate yet charming designs of gold jewelry are as a result of the best workmanship which will more often determine the cost. This cost determinant of a piece of gold jewelry will be set by the labor involved in making the intricate designs, particularly when working with jewelry made with precious stones. Generally, the minimum karat that qualifies a piece of gem to be termed as ‘gold’ is 10K, well at least in the United States of America, although it is the norm in other many places around the world.

The easiest form of gold that you can buy and have is gold jewelry wherein it symbolizes, sophistication, wealth, riches, and good standing. Gold in its purest form is hard to tarnish.  Jewelry made of gold on the other hand is sophisticated, very refined, and divine and extremely precious fit for all occasions. Be advised that pure gold (i.e. 24-karat) at times is thought to be extremely malleable and soft for day to day wear. It is no wonder gold jewelry will normally be complemented by a combination of other alloyed metals such as copper, silver, zinc. And nickel, to help the gold retain its strength and resistance.

Gold is more preferred by many people over other kinds of metals reason being that gold is very flexible, it features an incredible color, and complements and matches just about everything used together with it. When you put on pure gold, don’t expect it to ever tarnish as it happens to other metals such as silver. Still on point, there is very slim chance that someone can be allergic to gold, making it a great metal for jewelry pieces.

With that said, gold can be made into beautiful and durable jewelry of a variety of colors and styles by adding different metals to it. Gold is as old as man, and history has it that many religious jewelry of antiquity were made of gold. The Stone Age man also made and crafted very many different pieces of art from gold. Despite the fact that gold is such a great and worthwhile investment, very few people today invest in precious metals, at least when compared to the number of people who invest in the stock market. By precious metals we are talking of the well-known type’s i.e. silver, platinum, palladium (platinum’s by-product) and of course gold.

Of significant importance to know is that the color of titanium jewelry is not an added coating or paint. Titanium undergoes an electronic oxidation process to change its crystalline structure of its surface. The best thing about titanium is its malleability, flexibility and ductability which allow jewelers to put into practice their very best craftsmanship.  Titanium is a wonderful metal thanks to its bright white color, which is very similar to platinum although it is slightly low in price. A good and qualified jeweler can be able to make very many different styles and designs of this metal.

As such, if you have a design in mind, you can always share it with a professional jeweler and allow them make an outstanding piece of jewelry for you. Thanks to the advent in technology, more specifically the internet, there are many online jewelers who you can contact for whatever piece of jewelry from whatever metal you want.

Boiled down, if you wish to buy gold for everyday use — wearing it on a daily basis, ensure you but one of between 14 and 18 karat gold. Karat in terms of gems is the measurement of the total percentage of pure gold jewelry has. The surest way to analyze if a given piece of gold jewelry will be beneficial and profitable if you wish to venture in the world of selling gemstones is to understand the price of your competitors.

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Shopping for Silver Jewelry Online

June 5, 2010 by cattleto  
Filed under Jewelry Tips

The cost of silver has increased progressively over time, thus creating high demand and greater value. Just like platinum and gold, silver is a very precious metal with its value going beyond its aesthetic appeal. As a rule of thumb, a metal is considered precious when it is believed to be rare. Just like gold, silver has been used as currency by several nations, thanks to its great value. Today however, it is bought mainly for jewelry and investments. Beyond doubt, the market value of silver is an additional incentive when buying silver jewelry. There are some guidelines to help you when shopping for silver jewelry online so that you can have a valuable, safe, and secure transaction.

First and foremost, as is with buying any other commodity online, it is highly recommended that you establish the integrity and credibility of any e-seller website that you visit. This you do by searching within the website for icons referring clients to established and credible third party organizations working with information security and consumer reviews. Normally, you can look at the company information or a certificate on the third party websites that give you an unbiased view of the online retailer in question. Ensure you take a closer look at the dates on the certificates to ascertain their validity and ensure they aren’t expired.

The second most important thing is the warranty. Usually there would be a 30 day period offered for both exchanges and refunds. As is with any other commodity, a reputable and good retailer will always give their products a very strong warranty. Always feel free to contact your chosen e-retailer to inquire about the warranty. This way, you also get to find out about their level of customer support by how they will respond to your queries. After establishing the integrity and credibility of your selected e-retailer, and verified a very strong and valid warranty, you can then go ahead and search for your jewelry.

Once you find a desirable piece of jewelry made of silver, you should do a thorough inspection to verify that the jewelry is indeed .925 sterling silver. Silver as it is, is a very soft metal when in its purest form to be used for ornamental wear. As such, it will be mixed with several alloys to make it ‘usable’ so to speak. The .925 means that the piece of jewelry is made up of 92.5% silver and the rest is the alloy used. Basically, this is the industry acceptable standard and is the maximum level of silver you can ever get in any jewelry today. Genuine silver will normally be stamped with the .925 which if it isn’t visible on your screen, you can email or call your e-retailer to verify the presence of a stamp or you can hold your horses and wait to physically inspect the jewelry upon receiving it.

With your piece of silver at hand, you have to be aware of silver finishing. Naturally, silver jewelry spots a somewhat dull grayish tone hence will need an occasional finishing. Several techniques can be used to finish silver jewelry i.e. rhodium coating, enamel coating, and nickel plaiting. Finishing provides a shiny tone on your piece of sterling silver in addition to providing extra protection against tarnishing. Be advised that silver jewelry generally starts to tarnish or darken over time through the chemical process known as oxidation. Note however that this doesn’t devalue the metal itself.

Keep in mind that silver jewelry that contain nickel can at times cause an allergic reaction which manifest as green coloration on the skin. This is however very rare and not really dangerous. You should question your e-seller about nickel free pieces of silver jewelry. With these guidelines, you can be able to walk away with a satisfying piece of jewelry.

Diamond Jewelry Care and Maintenance

June 1, 2010 by cattleto  
Filed under Jewelry Tips

Cleaning Diamond JewelryTo clean and maintain your diamond, there are some few cleaning methods that you can use regularly to keep your diamond jewelry sparkly and beautiful as ever. Here are a few recommended ways to do it.

Ultrasonic cleaners

These cleaners use high frequency vibrating waves to create numerous microscopic cleaning bubbles which help loosen out any dirt embedded on the crevices and cracks of your jewelry. The second part of ultrasonic cleaning entails using a high pressure steamer to blast all the dirt particles. Similarly, if your jewelry has precious stones such as rubies and emeralds, it is advisable to seek professional advice before cleaning them using this method.

Ammonia wash

Household ammonia mixed in equal parts with water can also be used to clean diamond jewelry. You simply mix the solution and soak your jewelry in it for around 20 minutes before cleaning lightly using a soft brush as you rinse back in the solution. Once done, aerate your pieces by drying them on absorbent tissue paper. Be advised though that jewelry with precious gemstones on it or fracture filled diamond shouldn’t be cleaned using ammonia wash. Always consult an expert for further guidance before proceeding.

Detergent wash
Prepare a soapy solution using a mild detergent and warm water then put your diamond jewelry in there for a few minutes. Take a soft brush and start cleaning your diamond starting with areas such as the prongs and parts of the metal band where dust tends to accumulate a lot. After which you should rinse the pieces in clean warm water. Take a lint free cloth or buffing cloth and pat the pieces dry. If there is stubborn dirt in some hard-to reach areas, you can always use a wooden toothpick.

Other cleaners

The market is full of all purpose jewelry cleaners — such as the Mr. Clean jewelry cleaner. As a general rule of thumb, you should always avoid using any cleaner with acid as it can affect the surface of your gemstone. Generally though, using these cleaners is very simple, you only need to follow manufacturer’s instructions. Toothpaste is another homemade cleaner that many people use to clean jewelry. However, you should never use it in cleaning diamond jewelry as it contains harsh ingredients such as baking soda that can cause scratches.

Regular cleaning of diamonds ensures your jewelry remains shimmering and sparkling for a very long period of time. For starters, you can clean your jewelry at least once a month and then proceed to clean them once a week depending on how often you use them. It is recommended that you notice any unnatural buildup as a result of the jewelry coming in contact with oil or soap; you clean your jewelry as soon as possible.

Professional cleaning is recommended for at least once a year where you can have your jewelry, such as a diamond ring re-polished. The professional can also tighten your diamond ring’s prongs and offer you advice on how to care and store your jewelry.

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