Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Tend to Your Gemstones

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Store your gemstones: Jewels need space to remain free of chips. Store gemstones individually in soft cloth pouches and prevent jewels from bumping against one another.
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Clean your gemstones regularly: Dust, skin oil and other unclean substances can cause your gemstones to lose their sparkle. Clean them from time to time in soap and water. Then let them air dry and polish them with a soft cloth.
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Remove dirt from gemstones: Occasional brushing with a worn, soft-bristled toothbrush can help remove dirt from between crevices. For more resistant blemishes, use a weak solution of ammonia and water (about one part to four parts) and a soft brush.
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Respect metal jewelry settings: Treat metal settings gently. Gold can scratch. Although four-prong, six-prong, and low-profile channel or bezel settings offer your gemstone more protection than other settings, you should ask your jeweler to make sure your gemstones sit tight in their settings to help prevent stones from falling out.
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Know when to have a pro clean your gemstones: Annual checkups with a jeweler help keep your gemstones clean and properly situated in their settings. A jeweler can clean gems with steam or ultrasound, though ultrasound can make internal fissures or flaws worse

Clean Your Diamonds

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Store diamonds individually: Although diamonds are the hardest naturally occurring substance on Earth, they can still chip. Store diamonds individually in soft cloth pouches that prevent jewels from bumping against one another.
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Clean diamonds regularly: Dust, skin oil, and other substances can cause your diamonds to lose their sparkle. Clean your diamonds regularly in soap and water. Air dry and polish with a soft cloth.
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Remove dirt from diamonds: Occasional brushing with a worn, soft-bristled toothbrush can help remove dirt from between crevices. For more resistant blemishes, use a weak solution of ammonia and water (about one part to four parts) and a soft brush.
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Protect metal jewelry settings: Treat metal settings gently as gold can scratch. Also, regularly ask your jeweler to make sure your diamonds sit tight in their settings to help prevent stones from falling out.
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Know the ins and outs of professional cleaning: A jeweler can clean diamonds with steam or ultrasound, though ultrasound can worsen internal fissures or flaws.

Clean Your Diamonds

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Store diamonds individually: Although diamonds are the hardest naturally occurring substance on Earth, they can still chip. Store diamonds individually in soft cloth pouches that prevent jewels from bumping against one another.
*

Clean diamonds regularly: Dust, skin oil, and other substances can cause your diamonds to lose their sparkle. Clean your diamonds regularly in soap and water. Air dry and polish with a soft cloth.
*

Remove dirt from diamonds: Occasional brushing with a worn, soft-bristled toothbrush can help remove dirt from between crevices. For more resistant blemishes, use a weak solution of ammonia and water (about one part to four parts) and a soft brush.
*

Protect metal jewelry settings: Treat metal settings gently as gold can scratch. Also, regularly ask your jeweler to make sure your diamonds sit tight in their settings to help prevent stones from falling out.
*

Know the ins and outs of professional cleaning: A jeweler can clean diamonds with steam or ultrasound, though ultrasound can worsen internal fissures or flaws.

How to Buy Indian Jewelry

Step1Get looking. If you live in a part of the county where there is a significant Indian population, you can probably find stores specializing in Indian goods nearby. Searching the web is another way to browse for jewelry from India, especially if you live in an area where there are few Indians.

Step2Look at quality. Indian jewelry can come in a variety of jewels and metals such as gold and diamond. If you don't want to make a huge investment but love the look of Indian jewelry, look into buying Indian-inspired jewelry made from less expensive materials such as sterling silver and synthetic gems.

Step3Think about where you want to wear your jewelry. Indian jewelry can be made to wear on almost any part of the body.

Step4Consider the meaning. Since jewelry is a part of Indian culture and many of its religions, you might want to check and see if the piece you are interested in has any meaning to others. To Indians, the jewelry can be purely for looks, or it can have religious connections to different stages of life.

Monday, August 18, 2008

How to Buy Platinum Jewelry

• Due to its similar appearance and lower price, many people choose white gold jewelry over platinum.

• Don't forget to request fine jewelry cleaner in order to clean and polish your platinum jewelry on a regular basis



Step 1
Look for platinum markings. The marking will let you know how much of the piece is made of platinum. For example, 950 pt means that 950 parts per thousand of the piece is made of pure platinum. The balance is from other metals.

Step2
Expect to pay more for platinum. Due to its durability, platinum jewelry costs more than white or yellow gold pieces.

Step3
Get an appraisal. Since platinum jewelry tends to be expensive, it is important to get a certificate of its value at the time of purchase.

Step4
Choose platinum to accentuate the appearance of diamonds. Diamonds on platinum create an elegant look.

Step5
Purchase a jewelry box or request a soft cloth pouch to store the platinum jewelry. You need to keep platinum separate from other jewelry to prevent scratching.