How to avoid damaging your jewelry while cleaning and storing

To ensure that jewellery remains in pristine condition, jewelry care should include proper maintenance and storage.  Often jewellery isn't treated with the care that it requires, which results in tarnished, damaged, jewelry.  For instance, silver
and gold jewelry will gradually oxidize and tarnish over time when exposed to air, and other tarnishing agents such as residues from lotions, powders, soaps and natural skin oils.

To prevent oxidation, jewellery can be stored in
tightly sealed plastic ziploc bags. However do not
store pearls in plastic.  Otherwise jewelry cases
lined with fabric or acid free paper work well also.
Contact with chemicals, including bleach should be
avoided, as they can damage jewelry over time.  Pearl
necklaces and bracelets should be checked by a
jeweller to decide whether they need re-stringing.
All pieces should be cleaned periodically, with the
appropriate cleaning agents.  A soft child's
toothbrush is most effective for brushing or scrubbing
jewelry.  Paper towels should never be used for drying
jewellery.  Pearls need to be wiped after each wear.

Here are some additional guidelines for gemstone
maintenance and precious metal care:

Turquoise, Lapis and Coral: Wipe often with a soft dry
cloth, don' t use anything on turquoise, such as soap
or cleansers, as it will damage the stone.

Opals: Opals are prone to scratching and chipping, so
store, wash and wear carefully.  Use a soft mild soap
on a cloth and rinse and air dry.

Pearls: pearls tend to lose their luster, quickly if
not handled carefully, keep away from lotions and
perfumes (generally applying them prior to donning the
jewelry, helps to keep them pristine). Wipe with a
clean, soft moist cloth after every wearing and lay
flat to air dry.  Occasionally they can be cleaned
with a soft brush and mild soapy water, and then wiped
with a wet cloth and dried.

Opals: Opals are prone to scratching and chipping, so
store, wash and wear carefully.  Use a soft mild soap
on a cloth and rinse and air dry.

Sapphires, Peridots, Rubies and Amythyst: These stones
can be washed in a mixture of warm water, and mild
dishwashing liquid (check the soap label to make sure
that it doesn't contain softeners).  Scrub the stones
with a very soft brush, rinse with clean water and pat
dry.<br>
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Emeralds: wash in clear room temperature water and
brush gently. Air dry, do not wash in warm water or
with soap.

Diamonds: diamonds must be stored separately, as they
can scratch each other.  They can be cleansed in a
solution of 2 parts warm water to 1 part ammonia for
3-4 minutes and rinsed with warm clean water and
patted dry with a soft clean cloth.  Don't clean
diamond jewelry that has other stones set into it with
ammonia, as some stones are considerably more delicate
than diamonds.

Gold, White Gold, Platinum: dip in warm soapy water,
rinse in clean water and pat dry, use a soft brush if
more extensive cleansing is required.

Silver: Only use a commercial silver polish, or a
silver polishing cloth, after polishing, ensure that
all polish is removed and then softly buff to a shine.
 Never use paper towels and tissues as they will
scratch soft metals.