Articles

Caring for Your Rings
By Jan Littlejohn

The Cold Water Soak

· Fill a cup with a half/half solution of cold water and household ammonia
· Soak for 30 minutes
· Lift our and gently brush the back and front of the setting with an old soft brittle toothbrush
· Dip in the solution once more – drain on tissue paper

The Detergent Bath
· Mix some warm water with a small squirt of household mild liquid detergent
· Brush the pieces with an old soft bristle toothbrush while they are still in the mixture
· Transfer to a wire tea strainer and rinse under warm running water
· Gently dry off with a lint free soft cloth

The Quick-Dip Method
· Purchase one of the special liquid jewellery cleaners available
· They generally come with a cleaning brush
· Make sure you buy the one suitable for the type of jewellery you wish to clean, and read the instructions carefully

See Your Jeweller
· Jewellers may offer either a free or small-fee ultrasonic cleaning service
· Before your wedding take you engagement ring back to where you purchased it, to have it cleaned
· While it is there, the jeweler can check that all your settings are secure.