Butterfly pendant
Jewelry for the Soul

September birthstone is Sapphire, they will be on sale. Each month, the color of this site changes by the color of the birthstone, come back and see it happen. Now featuring: April Lucas leaves, I can power her necklaces up!

Cleaning Instructions

The best way to care for any Jewelry: use common sense, do not shower wearing it, do not wash dishes wearing it, do not work out or steam room wearing it, do not swim or hot tub wearing it, try not to do laundry wearing it, I have seen gemstones fly off in the washer, buy a small ring holder to place at kitchen sink or use a china cup on bathroom sink and place your gems inside there while you clean your house or yourself.

While seeking professional care may seem like the best way to go to ensure the durability of your fashion jewelry, you can also opt to handle your fashion jewelry’s care and maintenance to save on the extra cost.

Here are a few helpful tips to bring the shine back to your bling.

1. Before doing any actual cleaning, take time out to check the prongs, tips and clasps of your jewelry. Make sure it’s sturdy enough to undergo cleaning. If unsure, check with your jeweler.

2. For gold and gemstones, try soaking it first in an isopropyl alcohol solution for a couple of hours. Rinse thoroughly afterwards. Using a home made jewelry cleaning solution made of a half a cup of ammonia and two cups of water, gently work your way to all the cracks and crevices of your jewelry. A soft bristled toothbrush should do the trick.

3. Afterwards, rinse in warm to cool water and allow to air dry. You may also want to polish it with a clean terry cloth to bring out the shine.

4. In cleaning silver jewelry, avoid using chlorine because it will cause a greenish discoloration on the metal.

5. For precious pearls, a gentle wipe using a damp cloth usually does the trick. A little drop of olive oil also helps keep the luster. Rinse well and dry. Never use detergent, ammonia, alcohol or any other commercial cleaner not made specifically for pearls as this may damage them.

6. You can buy gem cleaner solutions pre-made at almost any store that sells jewelry of any type. They all work well and you can buy the gem shakers but be careful what jewels you place in there, some gems will come loose over time if shaken too much.

How to Care for your Sterling Silver Jewelry

Sterling Silver is an elegant white metal used for all types of jewelry. However, the beauty of Sterling Silver will fade easily if you do not take proper care of it. There are many ways to clean your sterling silver: polishing cloths, homemade solutions and store bought solutions are some of your options. One caution to consider with store bought solutions is that many have harmful effects on pearls; gems and other precious stones, remember to read the cautions on the solution before using it on your Sterling Silver.

While using a cloth to polish your Sterling Silver it is best to rub the item up and down for an even shine. For homemade solutions, always use a phosphate free detergent in your ingredients. You may find that toothpaste will clean your sterling as well; a caution with toothpaste is that it can leave dulling scratches from the abrasiveness of the paste and jewelers caution against it.

How to care of your Pearls

When cared for properly, Pearls can last a lifetime. The best way to care for Pearls is to wear them often as the body's natural oils keep Pearls lustrous. However, it's important to keep them away from household chemicals including perfume, makeup and hairspray. Chemicals found in these common products can dull the luster of your Pearls. It is recommended that you put your Pearls on last when getting ready and make them the first thing you take off when you come home. Before putting your Pearls away, wipe them with a soft cloth and store them separate from other jewelry to avoid scratching their tender surfaces.

How to care for your Gold

Keep your gold jewelry away from harsh chemicals such as chlorine and cleaning fluids. This will reduce daily abrasions and prolong gold's luster. To clean gold jewelry, use a solution of warm water and detergent-free soap and wash gold gently with a soft-bristled brush (a dull tooth brush works well). Store gold pieces separately in soft cloth bags or original boxes to protect them from the exposure to harsh daily elements.