Care of Jewelry

Jewelry, unless solid gold, will tarnish. It is a fact that must be faced. However, here are some simple tips to preventing tarnish and removing it:

• Wipe your pendant with a soft cloth after wearing it. This will remove any oils that might have accumulated while you were wearing the piece of jewelry.
• Store your jewelry in an air tight bag or jewelry box. If in a jewelry box, add anti-tarnish strips to the jewelry box.
• Should you need to remove tarnish, a polishing cloth (such as "Sunshine Polishing Cloths") will remove the tarnish build up easily from flat areas.
• Should you need to remove tarnish from areas that are difficult to reach, you can use the following home remedy (NOTE: This remedy is not suitable for all stones. Please contact me to be sure the method will work for your stone.)
  1. Gently clean the piece with water and a mild soap - this prepares the piece for a full tarnish removal.
  2. Cover the inside of a heat-proof bowl with a piece of tin foil.
  3. Place the pendant in the bowl, making sure it is touching the tin foil.
  4. Bring approximately one cup of water to a boil (or enough water to cover the pendant).
  5. Pour the hot water over the pendant, making sure it is completely submersed.
  6. Sprinkle approximately 1 teaspoon baking soda in the water - you should see an immediate reaction.
  7. Let the piece sit in the soda-water solution for a few minutes.
  8. Remove the piece carefully (the water is probably just lukewarm now, but be careful) and rinse cool water (cool, not cold!).
  9. Gently buff the silver using a soft cloth. Depending how tarnished the piece is, you may need to repeat.