| Gold and
silver are malleable and ductile, chemically stable by themselves and can
be recycled and remodeled into a multitude of items. Gold retains its luster
over prolonged periods and will not chip, flake or corrode. Highly
polished silver is the best reflector of light and retains its
strength despite distortion. Unfortunately, this does not mean that either
of them are indestructible. Gold 
Gold is measured in carats and is an indication of its purity. Most of us
discover the importance of gold ranges when we get married, and the
choices are usually from 9 carats (9ct), 18ct, 22ct and 24ct. However, the
purer the gold, the softer it is, until, in its purest form of 24 carats,
it becomes one of the softest metals known.Purer gold scratches and buckles easily with any kind of abrasion or force and so is best removed to do work which might damage it. Equally, several rings on the same finger can often be the cause of a ring suffering deep scratches or wear, particularly if they are of different carats and perhaps one or more containing even harder substances like diamonds. Surprisingly enough, most gold jewelry can be cleaned in warm soapy water, and any angular areas around stones or the back of the item, which may be indented, can be reached with an old soft toothbrush, dipped in the soapy solution. Gold also responds to a light rubbing with a rouge-impregnated cloth, which gives it a shine, available in most supermarkets, but high carat gold shouldn't need it. 18ct gold and higher, will not usually suffer from discoloration or tarnish and isn't harmed by contact with household chemicals. However, bleach and other cleaning products WILL damage lower carat gold's as they aren't so pure (being alloys of metals) and are therefore much more prone to attack by corrosive chemicals. Storing Silver When putting silver into storage, it's not necessary to clean or polish it. After prolonged storage, it will need cleaning anyway. Don't use ordinary newspaper to wrap the silver, nor use elastic bands to bind several pieces together. After a while the rubber will bond to the silver as the band deteriorates and rots, leaving a stain, as will newspaper. Instead, use acid-free paper to wrap items and store where it's not damp. Slightly tarnished sterling silver will easily renew to a bright polish by simply rubbing or buffing with a soft cloth. When an item is heavily tarnished then a proprietary silver cleaning solution, such as Goddard's Silver Dip will always do the trick. 
To remove heavy tarnish there are many liquids and creams available that
are rubbed or smeared on and polished off again with a soft cloth. Many
have names that include the terms, "long term", "tarnish
resistant" or "long shine". This means they contain a
chemical that leaves a protective layer on the silver, which reduces its
direct contact with the air. Cutlery should therefore be washed thoroughly
before use.A WARNING ABOUT SILVER PLATE! Always use the least abrasive option when dealing with silver plate. Over enthusiastic rubbing will remove the silver to reveal the base metal, especially on external corners and the rims of lids etc. Any trip to any antiques fair will reveal many, many items that have suffered this fairly tragic fate, which can be expensive to repair. The Care and Cleaning
of Diamonds and Gemstones The Care and Cleaning
of Pearls General Safeguards |
BE AWARE! That some stones are quite 'soft' and others are
particularly absorbent. Gemstones that fall into this category are;
pearls, ivory, coral, turquoise, opal and amber. Care must be exercised
when cleaning not to scratch them or leave them soaking. They are also
best stored in separate compartments of a jewelry box.