Cleaning Jewelry

Amber: Put 2 drops of linseed oil on a cotton ball and rub into the amber; remove oily residue.



Amethyst, aquamarine, emerald, garnet, jade, sapphire, ruby, topax, tourmaline: Add 1 tbs ammonia to 1/2 cup warm water; immerse jewelry and scrub with a soft toothbrush. Rinse in clear water and dry on a lint-free cloth.



Diamonds: Mix 1 cup hot water with 1/4 cup ammonia and 1 tbs detergent. Soak diamonds in the mixture for 20 minutes; scrub firmly but slowly with a toothbrush. Rinse in hot water, then dip in rubbing alcohol and airdry or dry wiht a lint fre cloth(do not rinse off alcohol).



Gold: Mix 1 cup warm water with 1/2 cup ammonia. Soak jewelry in this mixture for 10-15 minutes; gently scrub with a soft toothbrush, then rinse in warm water. Let dry on an absorbent towel.



Lapis, malachite, turquoise: Use detergent (not soap) in cool (never hot) water and clean with a soft brush.



Opals: Clean with detergent (not soap) and water; handle carefully since opal is very fragile. When ot worn, opals should be sored in a humidor.



Pearls: Soak pearls in a milkd soap and water solution. Rinse and buff with a flannel cloth. Do not soak a string of pearls, clean each one individually. For greater luster, wear pearls often so that they can absorb natural skin oils. For the same effect, rub a little olive oil over pearls and wipe dry with a chamois cloth.



Silver: Rub silver with silver polish, toothpaste, or a dry cloth dipped in baking soda; use a toothbrush to get into holes or crevices. Then rinse and towel-dry. For a quick clean, rub dry ashes over silver.