Jewelry and Gemstone Care & Cleaning Tips

Diamond earrings, emerald rings, ruby bracelets, sapphire pendants; no doubt about it everybody loves beautiful gem stone jewelry. Gemstones are quite literally hard as rock, buy they can be damaged from careless handling and negligence. Here are some tips for keeping your gems and jewelry looking fabulous for years to come.

1. Remember, even the hardest gemstone variety can be vulnerable to breakage if it has inclusions that weaken the crystal structure. Exercise common sense: if you have a ring set with a softer gem variety or an included stone, take it off before strenuous exercise. Even the hardest gem of them all, diamond, can shatter in two with a single well-placed blow. Never remove rings by pulling on the stone: that habit may result in a loose, then lost, gem.

2. Most importantly, store each piece of gemstone jewelry separately so that harder stones don't scratch softer ones. Almost every gemstone is much harder than the metal it is set in. Gems can scratch the finish on your gold, silver or platinum if you throw your jewelry in a heap in a drawer or jewelry box.

3. Rings in particular tend to collect dust and soap behind the gem, particularly if you wear them all the time. You need to clean them regularly to let the light in so your gems can shine. To clean transparent crystalline gemstones, simply soak them in water with a touch of gentle dish soap. Use a bowl of water rather than the sink to eliminate the risk of anything going down the drain. If necessary, use a soft toothbrush to scrub behind the stone. Rinse the soap off and pat dry with a lint-free cloth (you want to make sure threads won't catch on the prongs) For diamond, ruby or sapphire, a touch of ammonia in the rinse water won't hurt a bit and can add extra sparkle (for platinum and gold only, not silver!). Think twice before putting gems in an ultrasonic cleaner. Diamonds and rubies and sapphires will be fine but many other gems many not be, in particular emerald, opal, pearls, peridot: when in doubt, leave it out.

4. Organic gems like pearls, coral, and amber should only be wiped clean with moist cloth. Due to their organic nature, these gems are both soft and porous. Be careful about chemicals in hairspray, cosmetics, or perfume: they can, over time, damage pearls in particular. Opals also require special care. Never use an ultrasonic, never use ammonia, and avoid heat and strong light.

5. Opaque gemstones like lapis lazuli, turquoise, malachite, require special care because they are rocks, not crystals of a single mineral like transparent gems. There gem materials should just be wiped clean gently with a moist cloth. These gemstones can be porous and may absorb chemicals, even soap, and they may build up inside the stone and discolor it. Never use and ultrasonic cleaner and never use ammonia or any chemical solution.

A little care and common sense can add life, luster and longevity to your precious jewelry and gems. Protect your investment by following the above guidelines.

For more information on jewelry and gemstones, we cordially invite you to visit http://www.morninglightjewelry.com to pick up your FREE copy of "How To Buy Jewelry And Gemstones Without Being Ripped Off." This concise, informative special report reveals almost everything you ever wanted to know about jewelry and gemstones, but were afraid to ask. Get your FREE report at http://www.morninglightjewelry.com

---

Google News Updated : Wed, 09 Jul 2008 13:08:20 GMT US MBA's Mortgage Applications Index Increased 7.5% Last Week - Bloomberg 100 Mortgages US MBA's Mortgage Applications Index Increased 7.5% Last Week Bloomberg - 1 hour ago By Shobhana Chandra July 9 (Bloomberg) -- Mortgage applications in the US rose for a second straight week, a sign that falling home prices are attracting some buyers. Mortgage applications up 7.5% last week: MBA MarketWatch US mortgage applications increased last week-MBA Reuters CNN - Forbes - RTT News - 100 Mortgages all 15 news articles Publ.Date : Wed, 09 Jul 2008 11:38:08 GMT Coalition to lobby for US health-care reform - Reuters KULR-TV Coalition to lobby for US health-care reform Reuters - 17 hours ago WASHINGTON, July 8 (Reuters) - A coalition of unions, think tanks and other groups launched an advertising campaign on Tuesday saying they want to ensure that health-care reform tops the US political agenda after the November elections. Coalition begins universal health care campaign Great Falls Tribune Coalition launches push for health care reform Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Rapid City Journal - Tampa Tribune - Beyond Chron - Washington Post all 291 news articles Publ.Date : Tue, 08 Jul 2008 19:09:32 GMT German shares up midday as financials rebound - Forbes ABC News German shares up midday as financials rebound Forbes - 1 hour ago FRANKFURT (Thomson Financial) - German shares were higher midday, led by financials, which rebounded from Tuesday's strong losses, and helped by soothing words from US Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke and easing oil prices. Fed ready to aid investment banks BBC News Fed Sees Turmoil Persisting Deep Into Next Year New York Times International Herald Tribune - Reuters - Financial Times - CNNMoney.com all 1,484 news articles Publ.Date : Wed, 09 Jul 2008 11:46:08 GMT G-8 Conference Tackles Global Warming Treaty - Washington Post BBC News G-8 Conference Tackles Global Warming Treaty Washington Post - 1 hour ago By Michael Abramowitz RUSUTSU, Japan, July 9-- The leaders of the countries most responsible for greenhouse gas emissions pledged Wednesday a shared effort to combat global warming, but developing countries like China and India continued to balk at the ... Bush: 'Significant progress' on climate change The Associated Press Emerging Nations Join G-8 on Climate New York Times Aljazeera.net - CNN International - Bloomberg - Telegraph.co.uk all 2,035 news articles Publ.Date : Wed, 09 Jul 2008 11:20:59 GMT Iraq Wants Withdrawal Timetable In US Pact - Washington Post ABC News Iraq Wants Withdrawal Timetable In US Pact Washington Post - 8 hours ago By Ernesto Londoño and Dan Eggen BAGHDAD, July 8 -- Iraq's national security adviser said Tuesday that his government would not sign an agreement governing the future role of US troops in Iraq unless it includes a timetable for their withdrawal. Maliki's Withdrawal Card Wall Street Journal Iraqi Officials Still Insisting on Timetable to Withdraw New York Times istockAnalyst.com - AFP - CNN - Xinhua all 1,578 news articles Publ.Date : Wed, 09 Jul 2008 04:41:08 GMT Google adds third dimension to online social relationships - NetworkWorld.com Siliconrepublic.com Google adds third dimension to online social relationships NetworkWorld.com - 2 hours ago By Mikael Ricknäs , IDG News Service , 07/09/2008 Google has entered yet another space with the launch of Lively, a tool for creating 3D social spaces on Web sites, which is now available in a public beta test. Virtual world tipping point: Is there an enterprise use? ZDNet Google Introduces a Cartoonlike Method for Talking in Chat Rooms New York Times Reuters - The Tech Herald - eFluxMedia - Wall Street Journal all 263 news articles Publ.Date : Wed, 09 Jul 2008 11:04:08 GMT Polygamist sect leader swaps jail for hospital - MSNBC KVAL Polygamist sect leader swaps jail for hospital MSNBC - 2 hours ago Warren Jeffs, the head of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, has been hospitalized. Douglas C. Pizac / Pool via Getty Images FILE July 2: Michael Sean Winters, author of "Left at the Altar," joins the "Morning Joe" crew to ... Jeffs was taken to the Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center in Las ... CNN Warren Jeffs Remains In Local Hospital KXNT Salt Lake Tribune - The Associated Press - Deseret News - Las Vegas Review - Journal all 309 news articles Publ.Date : Wed, 09 Jul 2008 10:48:40 GMT RSS For Web Pages Increase Web Traffic

PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts, Websites, and more...

Adsense websites

Gemstone Earring: One Small Way to Express Your Individuality

Some people have specific color preferences while some people also... Read More

Safety Glasses Can Be Fashionable

Safety glasses have evolved from the days of poorly fitting... Read More

The Charming Narciso Rodriguez

Narciso Rodriguez was born in New Jersey in 1961 to... Read More

Fashion Trends for Fall 2005

The overall theme of fashion for Fall 2005 is an... Read More

Shopping Tips: How to Make The Right Choices

Spending a lot on clothes or wearing designer labels does... Read More

Freshwater Pearl Necklace Sets Foundation for the Perfect Look

Have you been searching for that certain piece of jewelry... Read More

Why is Orlando So Popular?

Lets clear up a few misconceptions about Florida in general... Read More

7 Keys to Powerful First Impressions

Image Development is the science and art of creating a... Read More

Curves Hit the Beach: Women?s Guide to Plus Size Swimwear Online

Summer is with us. The sun is shining, the beaches... Read More

Tips To Expressing Yourself With T-Shirts

T shirts can provide a lasting impression on your life... Read More

Sunglasses Options are Plentiful

Protecting your eyes from the sun's harmful rays is very... Read More

Colored Contact Lenses, the Hottest Trend in Cosmetics is Spreading Like Wildfire Across the Fashion

A cross between cosmetics and vision correction, everyone from movie... Read More

Fashion Marketing 101

In a nutshell, fashion marketing is a profession that takes... Read More

How to Look Slimmer

No matter what their size, most women want to look... Read More

All About Cameos

There is something about a cameo that it truly captivating.... Read More

Five Mothers Day Gift Ideas

Books1. If mom is a collector, whatever her passion -... Read More

Eyewear Lens Technology Makes Wearing Eyewear a Pleasant and Fashionable Experience

Modern eyewear technology gives more eyewear lenses and eyewear frame... Read More

Chandelier Earrings: Cascading Elegance

Earrings come in many forms, and the complexity of the... Read More

Jewelry and Gemstone Care & Cleaning Tips

Diamond earrings, emerald rings, ruby bracelets, sapphire pendants; no doubt... Read More

Travel With Style

Your heading out for that vacation you've been waiting sooo... Read More

Each Watch Band is Unique and Tells Its Own Story

Anyone who possesses a valuable and unique watch will also... Read More

Stockings ? Getting a Leg Up, Again

It hasn't been all that long since vintage stockings became... Read More

Earrings Are A Fashion Statement!

Earrings are an important part of every woman's wardrobe, whether... Read More

Black - Fashion Constant But Do It Correctly

Fashion is changing. But one thing is should be constant... Read More

Pearl Jewelry: The Epitome of Elegant Simplicity

Pearl jewelry catches attention because of its uncomplicated and serene... Read More