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 Jewelry Care,
Cleaning and Storage |
| The most effective
way to preserve your jewelry is by keeping it out of harm's way! No, we
can't completely shield our jewelry from the hustle and bustle of our
busy lives; however, we can keep our jewelry beautiful just by
limiting its exposure to certain conditions! |
| Our daily hygiene is
good for us, bad for our jewelry! |
 Lotions, Cosmetics, Perfumes,
Hairsprays... |
| Daily grooming
exposes our jewelry to chemicals that can leave a residue or dull film
that is very difficult, or even impossible, to remove. To avoid this,
remove your jewelry BEFORE bathing. |
| Put your jewelry on
AFTER you have put on lotion, perfume,
cosmetics and hair products (mousse, gel, hairspray, etc.). |
| Think of your
jewelry as the Finishing Touch! |
 Household Chores... |
| Take your jewelry
off to avoid scratches. It is possible for jewelry to get caught on
power tools and cause serious injury. Household cleaners can scratch
your jewelry and leave build-up that is almost impossible to remove.
Especially avoid chlorine bleach. |
| Remove jewelry
before gardening, too. |
 Water... |
| Use water to help
clean your jewelry - just be sure to thoroughly dry your jewelry after
exposing it to water. Moisture, especially in an enclosed storage
space, will tarnish
sterling silver, loosen jeweler cement (used for stone setting) and
weaken springs and clasps. |
| Remove jewelry
before swimming. The water can loosen the gemstone settings. Chlorine
in pools can damage stones and metals. |
 Extreme Temperatures... |
| Keep your jewelry
away from excessive exposure to the Sun or cold. Extreme heat can
damage the jeweler cement (can cause the loss of stones), fade
gemstones, damage pearls and
marcasite. Severe cold can cause thermal shock and fracture some
gemstones. Never leave your jewelry near a heat vent, window sill or
the dashboard of a car. |
 Proper Storage of Your
Jewelry |
| Space...Give each
piece of jewelry its own space. You can use compartments in a
jewelry box or separate containers. Metal can scratch and scuff
other metal. When gemstones and metals come in contact with each
other, luster can be destroyed. Gemstones can scratch each other,
too. If you prefer to keep all of your jewelry together in one big
jewelry box, place each individual piece in a pouch or a sealed plastic
bag. |
| Clasps...For
bracelets or necklaces, hang them on hooks or fasten the clasp when
storing to prevent tangling. |
| Dry, Dry, Dry...Very
important! Dry your jewelry thoroughly before placing it in an enclosed
space. This will help prevent tarnish, clasp weakening and water damage
to certain gemstones. |
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Sterling Silver |
| Read
About Sterling Silver |
| What causes tarnish? |
| Since the Industrial
Revolution, tarnishing of sterling silver is a natural process.
This is a result of the oxidation of the metal. Our precious
metals are under constant attack by atmospheric pollutants during the
manufacturing process, time in storage, transit, use and display. |
| Of particular
concern for sterling silver jewelry is hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and sulfur
dioxide (SO2). Air pollution, petroleum products, fossil fuel
combustion and natural sulfate breakdown are the culprits of corrosion,
tarnishing and discoloration of metals. |
| Ironically, the more
you wear your silver, the less it tarnishes! |
| To polish sterling
silver, there are many options: a polishing cloth, commercial
polish
cream or spray, polishing dips. |
| Is there anything to prevent
future tarnish? |
| Absolutely!
Anti-Tarnish Strips
are made from treated highly-porous paper containing an active charcoal
absorption ingredient. The strips are non-toxic and safe to
handle. The strips do not emit any gas, fume or vapor - they
simply absorb the airborne pollutants and moisture that cause corrosion,
tarnish and discoloration. The strips remove harmful chemicals
from the air and do not give off its own gases, there are no harmful
side effects. Anti-tarnish strips will not leave any residue on
your jewelry. They can be handled without fear of absorbing any
harmful toxins. |
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Anti-tarnish strips
protect sterling silver, silver plate, brass, pewter, bronze, copper,
tin, gold and other metals. |
| They will
NOT remove existing tarnish! Give
your jewelry a good cleaning and polishing; then, store your
pieces along with the anti-tarnish strips to help prevent future
tarnishing. |
| All you have to do
is put a strip in an enclosure with your jewelry. The sterling
silver pieces do not have to be touching the strip, just near it.
One 2" x 7" strip will protect approximately 422 cubic inches (ex: 7
1/2" square container). You can cut the strips with scissors for
smaller areas. |
| Each strip will last
from 6 to 24 months, depending on your household conditions. There
are many factors to consider: amount of air pollution in your
area, humidity and the air-tightness of the enclosure. A good rule
of thumb is to replace your strip at least once a year. If you
notice tarnish or discoloration on a piece of jewelry, clean it and
replace the strip. |
| Tarnish Intercept Bags
work by using the bag to attract and absorb tarnish, instead of your
jewelry placed inside of the bag. The bags are treated with a
trademarked and patented process that causes the tarnish to cling to the
bag. All you do is place clean jewelry inside the bag and seal the
zipper closure. Watch the bag turn black while your jewelry stays
shiny. Throw out the old bag and replace it with a new one. |
| Tarnish-Preventing
Silversmiths' Wipes contain
R-22. R-22 neutralizes airborne sulfur.
The dry wipes remove tarnish instantly and leaves silver shining. |
 Gemstones |
| All gemstones should
be protected from sharp blows, harsh chemicals, extreme temperatures and
excessive exposure to strong light sources. Always store gemstones
in a safe dry place. |
| Clean precious
gemstones with a solution of 1 teaspoon gentle dishwashing liquid, 1
teaspoon household ammonia and 1 cup warm water to make a warm soapy
solution. Use a soft bristled brush to loosen dirt. Do not
use a home ultrasonic machine. Rinse well in a solution of rubbing
alcohol and water. Wipe dry with a clean dry soft cloth.
Leave jewelry on an absorbent paper towel for a time (maybe overnight)
to make sure it is completely dry. |
| For semi-precious
gemstones, wipe them clean with a clean damp cloth. Dry completely
with a clean soft cloth. It is usually a good idea not to immerse
semi-precious stones into cleaners, ultrasonic machines or water. |
| Only clean your
sterling silver jewelry in cleaners specifically designed for silver.
You may have to avoid this if your piece of jewelry has a stone set in
it. Instead, try a polishing cloth or mitt. |
| If you purchase a
commercial cleaning agent, make sure the label states it is safe for
gemstones. If you are ever in question about how to clean a certain
piece of jewelry, see a reputable jeweler. |
Hagerty® Delicate Jewel Clean $5.95 |
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A very gentle, yet safe and effective cleaning
liquid specially designed to care for your delicate and porous stones,
including natural and cultured
Pearls.
Handy dipping basket included. 7 oz container. Made in the
USA. |
| To order item#: H15207:
SOLD OUT |
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Hagerty® Jewel Clean
Concentrate (Just add water) $5.95 |
| Included is an empty 8
oz jar - Jewel Clean concentrate packet, handy dipping basket and brush.
Simply empty the Jewel Clean concentrate packet into the jar and add
7oz. warm water. Immerse jewelry item in tray and agitate slowly.
Remove. Rinse with water and wipe dry. Made in the USA |
| The professional way
to maintain fine jewelry right at home! Diamonds, platinum, gold
and precious gems take on that "showcase" sparkle when bathed in this
fine product. This formula contains no butyls, phosphates, bleach
or ammonia. It is safe for use on all porous stones (such as
pearls,
opals, coral,
onyx,
turquoise). Porous stones should not
be immersed for more than 10 minutes. |
| To order item#:
H16009: |
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Hagerty® Silver Clean $5.95 |
| A gentle formula that
instantly removes tarnish from all of your precious
sterling and
silver-plated jewelry. Simply dip, rinse and wipe dry with a soft
cloth. Handy dipping basket included. 3.5 fl. oz. |
| To order item#:
H15503: |
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3M Tarni-Shield™ Protectors $78.50 |
| Silver is a beautiful
precious metal that has one problem – it tarnishes when not protected
from the natural sulfur oxides and pollutants in our air. 3M
Tarni-Shield™ protection can guard against tarnish. Even
publications such as Consumer Reports have praised the
effectiveness of 3M superior anti-tarnish remedies. |
| These are absorbent
paper strips treated with activated charcoal to absorb sulfide and other
air pollutants. This will help protect from discoloration and
tarnish. They will not remove existing tarnish - clean and polish
your item first. |
| Use with
sterling silver and
silver-plate items - also safe for use with nickel, copper, bonze,
brass, tin and gold. Protects for up to 12 months in a sealed
environment. Each package contains ten 2" x 5" strips.
Strips can be cut down for smaller areas (1" x 1" will protect approx.
30 cubic inches). |
| The strips are safe
and non-toxic, emit no fumes and leave no residue. Very easy to
use - remove a strip from the bag and place it near polished metal in an
enclosed area (does not have to touch the item to be protected).
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| To order item#:
3MStrip (one pack of 10 2"x5" strips) $7.50: |
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To order item#: 3MStrip
3-Pack (three packs of 10 2"x5" strips -
total of 30 strips) $19.50
($6.50 each): |
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Click here to see
another type of anti-tarnish paper product. |
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Hagerty® Silversmiths' Wipes (with R-22) $9.95 |
| Wipe, clean and
protect silver. These dry wipes remove tarnish instantly and
protect from future tarnish. A new way to quickly wipe away
tarnish from sterling
silver and silver-plated pieces. Each disposable 5"x10" wipe
is treated with Hagerty's famous R-22 tarnish
preventative. When finished cleaning, simply throw the wipe away.
Container of 12 disposable dry wipes. |
| To order item#:
H15740: |
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Hagerty® Tarnish Intercept Jewelry Bags $8.95 |
| Amazing! These bags
actually use new technology to attract and absorb tarnish while your
silver jewelry stays safe inside. Tarnish clings to the bag! Watch the
bag turn black while your jewelry stays shiny. Then, throw out the old
bag and replace it with a new one. Environmentally friendly. Lasts up
to 5 years. Each package contains four 3" x 3" bags and three 8 3/8" x
6" double compartment bags (seven bags total). |
| To order item#:
H20004: |
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Pro-Polish Polishing Pads $2.95 |
| Pre-treated 2" squares
clean and remove tarnish from silver. Made of tight-bond cellular
foam with permanently bonded micro-abrasives. Comes in a packet of
5 squares. |
| To order item#:
RG337020 (pack of 5 squares) $2.95: |
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| To order item#:
RG337020-3 (pack of 15 squares) $8.50: |
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Hagerty® 100 All Metal Polish $14.95 |
| This all-metal polish
will handle the toughest polishing job and produce a brilliant finish on
all metals (NOT recommended for plated
metals, for plated silver use silver polish). |
| Quickly and easily
removes tarnish, dirt corrosion, grease, lime, water stains. |
| Protects metals with
three tarnish and corrosion inhibitors. Contains R-22 tarnish
preventative. |
| Great for polishing
metal (not plated metal), hard plastic, ceramic, porcelain, marble, and
more. |
| Multiple purposes,
hundreds of uses, super concentrated. 4 oz. tube. |
| To use: apply a
small amount to a soft dry cloth and rub vigorously. Buff with a
clean dry cloth to obtain a mirror finish. See enclosed
instruction sheet for polishing tips and suggested uses. |
| To order item#:
H26004 |
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On
Sale! Half Price! Only $7.50 |
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Hagerty® Jewelry Travel Pouch $19.95 |
| Your necklace chains will
never tangle again. This jewelry travel pouch has deluxe padding and a
soft velvet lining to protect your jewelry. The safety snap keeps your
rings secure. There are two zippered pockets for bracelets, watches,
chains and large pieces of jewelry. Special design feature to store all
styles of earrings. Locks out tarnish. Included free bonus -
Hagerty® Jewelry Polishing Cloth (treated soft cloth to
polish, clean and apply a tarnish-preventing barrier to your jewelry). |
| To order item#: H16700: |
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Rich-Glo® Jewelry Polishing Glove
$7.95 per glove |
| This 100% cotton Rich Glo®
glove is specially treated to remove tarnish, dirt and grime.
Safe for use on all metals (gold, silver platinum), pearls, soft stones
(precious and semi-precious), and plated metals. Just gently rub
over jewelry or silverware for a fast touch-up shine. The glove
contain no oils, silicones, rouge or harsh abrasives. The glove
will continue to polish your items even when it looks soiled and
well-used. Just rub and shine. |
| To order item#:
(Gloves) One Glove for $7.95: |
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| To order item#: (Gloves-2) One Pair of Gloves of
$15: |
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3M High Performance Polishing Cloth $15.95 |
| This amazing cloth is
safe for all jewelry - even pearls,
beads, all metals, glass, watches (even glasses, plastics and acrylics).
It is non-abrasive, lint-free, machine-washable and reusable. Wipe
away skin oils (very important for pearls),
dirt and dust with this soft cloth. |
| To order item#: PearlCloth |
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Sunshine® Polishing Cloth $6.95 |
| 7 1/2" x 5" cloth. Safely
cleans jewelry, gold, silver, brass, copper, glass, mirrors, flatware,
hollowware, hardwood and most other surfaces. Soft cloth with a special
non-scratch micro-abrasive material. Cleans and brightens to a
brilliant shine. Use the cloth until it is completely darkened, then
throw it away - do not wash cloth. |
| To order item#:
SunCloth: |
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Town Talk Polish Co. LTD Pearl Care Kit
Wallet $9.25 |
| Microfiber cleaning
cloths and mild cleansers are safe and effective for your cultured
freshwater pearls. Town Talk Polish Co. LTD is famous for their
century-old specialty polishing products. This kit comes in a
handy "wallet" and contains two pearl towelettes and one pure cotton
polishing cloth. Manufactured in England. |
| Use the moist tissue
sachet (towelette) to clean your pearls. Do not wet the string.
Dry your pearls with the soft luxury pearl cloth. You can also use
this product to clean other soft stones and costume jewelry. |
| To order item#:
PearlKit: |
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Moonshine® Polishing Cloth $6.25 |
| Moonshine® polishing
cloth gives your jewelry long-lasting shine with amazing ease.
Developed for use with gold, silver, platinum, copper and brass.
Each polishing cloth is 7 1/4" x 5 3/8". |
| Use until cloth is
completely soiled, do not wash. Not recommended for pearls or
electroplated items. |
| To order item#:
Moonshine: |
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