Jewelry By Alfred Tips & News

How to care for your Opal

Thu, 14 Jul 2005 23:47:00 -0400

Clean opal with a soft cloth moistened with olive oil. Do not use harsh chemicals or ultrasonic cleaners. Also, avoid heat and dry conditions that could dehydrate and crack the stone. Avoid impacts. Some people like to soak their Opals in water to retain moisture, if this procedure actually works is questionable as it is based on a myth, but it can't hurt a solid Opal. Triplets should never be immersed in water because the lamination could separate and ruin the Opal.

Looking for cheap ring sizing?

Thu, 14 Jul 2005 09:21:02 -0400

Well, don't. Be aware of jewelers who offer cheap ring sizing, there is no such thing. If you find someone who will size your rings for $5.00, most likely he will try to stretch the ring on a ring sizing machine, this practice will work harden the gold and can cause damage to the structure of your ring which in turn will lead to microscopic cracks in the gold and later breakage. Insist on having your rings sized the proper way without stretching, it will cost more money, but in the long run you will be happier and so will be your ring.

Want to lose your Diamond?

Tue, 12 Jul 2005 20:41:49 -0400

No one want's to lose their most loved jewel, but very few people take care of their pressures Diamond. See your Jeweler on a regular basis, at least every six months and have him check the prongs on your ring. Prongs are thin and can easily be bent or broken when hit sufficiently against a hard surface, most prongs have to be replaced after about five years of everyday ware. Prong repair is relatively inexpensive when compared to the cost of a new replacement Diamond.

How to clean your jewelry?

Tue, 12 Jul 2005 19:54:29 -0400

Mix one cup of water with one teaspoon of dish soap and one teaspoon of household ammonia. Let your jewelry soak in the solution for about 30 minutes and then brush gently with a toothbrush until the item is sparkling clean. Rinse the item with clean water and dry with a paper towel. Be gentle when cleaning Opals, never put them in any harsh cleaning solutions or ultrasonic cleaner.
Never use toothpaste to clean your jewelry!