Jewellery and ornaments are more than just adornments; the wearer has a certain degree of intimacy with them. They have been cherished for a long time. Maintaining the jewellery the right way ensures its longevity and makes it a cherished heirloom.
Avoid Exposure to Heat and Sunlight
The jewellery must be kept away from sun rays and heat sources as it alters its durability and colour. Certain gemstones such as shell cameos, amethyst , topaz and kunzite may fade or break with continued exposure. Too much light can bleach pearl and ivory and darken amber over time.
Too much heat or even sudden changes in temperature may fracture the pendants and deprive the gemstones of the natural moisture they need. Heat may cause the pearl to crack and discolor opal to turn brown and crack.
Avoid Chemicals
Rudra Centre conducts all the rites and rituals at its own puja hall that has been spiritually purified and energized in accordance with Vastu principles.
Do online Pujas really benefit, even when the person for whom the puja is done is not present?
Exposing the metals like gold, silver or platinum to chemicals may damage and discolour them. Day-to-day cosmetics like hairspray or perfume comprise of chemicals that cause permanent damage to pearls and other porous gems. Keep the jewellery away from household cleaners which contain ammonia that may damage vintage jewellery and fine gems. A common household solvent, chlorine bleach is known to damage gold alloys. Remove the ornaments before jumping into a swimming pool.
Safe Storage of Jewellery
Proper storage of the jewellery is equally important in its maintenance. It should never be kept carelessly in a drawer as it may end up with scratches. The best place to store jewellery is in the pouch or box that it came in. Gemstones like pearl and opal absorb moisture in the air hence they should be stored with care. Place the jewellery in a padded box while travelling to avoid scratches. Anti-tarnish bag or cloth is ideal for storing jewellery.
Taking Care of Gold Jewelry
The main threats to gold are skin oils, make-up and other cosmetics. Gold can be cleaned regularly by making use of mild detergents and a clean and soft cloth. Mix the detergent in warm water and put the gold jewellery in it for a few minutes. Use a soft toothbrush (especially for cleaning jewellery) and scrub the gold gently. Take the jewellery out, rinse it and use the clean cloth to dry it.
Taking Care of Gold-Plated Jewelry
Gold-plated jewellery must be kept away from hard surfaces as scratches will cause the layer to wear off. To prevent scratches wrap it in a velvet layered box or a soft cloth. Gently wipe the jewellery with a damp non-abrasive polishing cloth to remove the dirt and dust and restore its shine. If the gold plate begins to wear off, it can be refurbished by any local jeweller.
Taking Care of Gold Filling
Clean it with a soft cloth. There might be some places that the cloth cannot reach. In such cases place the jewellery in a bowl and add hot water along with a suitable detergent powder (never a liquid or the ones with bleach). After about a minute rinse the jewellery and air dry it. In case of build-up dirt, leave the ornament in the solution for a day.
Taking Care of Gemstones
Even though gemstones are hard as rock, careless handling and negligence can damage them. Proper and simple care ensures the quality of the gemstone.
A ring with soft gemstone must be removed before any extreme exercises or activities. Do not tug hard on the ring to remove it as it might loosen the ring. While storing the gems keep them away from other ornaments as the hard and sharp gems may scratch the fine finish on gold, silver or platinum.
Regularly wearing gemstone rings results in the accumulation of dirt behind the gems. It must be cleaned regularly to remove dirt and restore shine. To clean the gems, gently soak them in water with mild detergent. Use a bowl of water; never soak them or wash them in (or near) the sink. Use a soft toothbrush to scrub the dirt from behind the ring, rinse off the soap and pat it dry with a clean cloth.
Most people opt for ultrasonic cleaners to clean their gemstones. Always consult a jeweller before using this method because gemstones like diamonds, sapphires and rubies will be cleaned without any damage; however peridot , emerald , pearls and opal may get damaged. It is best to avoid this method.
Amber, coral and pearl are soft and porous organic gems which should only be wiped with a clean cloth. Even the chemicals in cosmetics and hairspray can damage the soft stones with time. Avoid ammonia, ultrasound cleaning and heat and light for these gemstones.
Similarly, malachite , turquoise , lapis lazuli etc. are opaque gems and also need special care.
Proper care and maintenance of the gemstones and jewellery will restore its shine thereby ensuring value for your money.
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