Summer, my favorite season.
Here are a few tips to keep your jewelry happy for the next few months:
- Remove your jewelry before entering pools and hot tubs. Chlorine dissolves metal and you will end up losing stones or the entire piece.
- This one is going to hurt… remove your jewelry before playing in the sand or tossing in the surf. Sand will scratch and dull metal, and embedded sand will loosen your setting.
- After a day in the sun, or a night on the dance floor, remove all your jewelry:
- Soak in warm water with a little mild dish detergent (I use Dr. Bronner’s Sal Suds – it is cruelty free) for three minutes. If there is stubborn tartar sauce or sun screen stuck behind a stone, use a soft toothbrush.
- Rinse in a solution of water and baking soda.
- Rinse with clear water.
- Dry with soft cloth.
- Do your best not to toss jewelry in a bowl at the end of the day. Metal rubbing against metal causes your gold and sterling to dull. Create a safe and soft place to store your jewelry when not wearing… even if it is a few sheets of anti-tarnish tissue paper (which I have for you) folded in a small drawer.
- Take the time now, to schedule an Amy Ragsdale Design Jewelry Box Make Over in September. Don’t delay, schedule your appointment today. Keep in mind, I clean and repair all jewelry, not just my designs.
Following are simply some random ramblings that I wish to share.
Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?
So long as men can breathe or eyes can see,
So long lives this, and this gives life to thee.
–William Shakespeare
By deconstructing Sonnet 18 I find that Shakespeare has defined my goal in jewelry making. Bill seems to be saying that the lover’s beauty will live on through the poem, which will last as long as it can be read. And for me, the inspiration in my jewelry will live on, as long as the jewelry can be worn. Hence, jewelry that is built to last. To be loved.
To be compared to a summer’s day… thy eternal summer shall not fade.
Reminder here: schedule your Jewelry Box Make Over soon
so your jewelry Shall Not Fade!
amy@amyragsdale.com
215-635-1714