Hints to keep your precious jewellery sparkling like new

Whether you've had it for a day or it's been in your family for generations, there's something magical about the way a special piece of jewellery shimmers in the light. Here are some hints to help keep your precious jewellery sparkling like new.

Your jewellery is precious, so it's important to take good care of it. While you may prefer to take special pieces to a jeweller for cleaning, here's some advice on how to keep them sparkling at home.

Whenever you clean jewellery at home do so in a bowl – never in a sink.  Otherwise you risk seeing a family heirloom disappear down the drain, never to be seen again!

• If you're cleaning several pieces, count them before immersing them in the bowl. Then, write down the number of pieces and what they are, e.g., three rings, two pairs of earrings, one broach.
• After you're done cleaning, count them again to ensure you've removed everything from the bowl. Do this before you discard the water in it.

You can keep precious pieces in top condition by storing them separately, in separate compartments of a jewellery box, or in a soft cloth pouch in a larger box.

• This helps to prevent the scratching that may occur when gemstones of different hardness touch each other; or when they rub against such metals as gold or silver.
• What's more, it will prevent pieces such as bracelets and necklaces from becoming entangled.

Unless you're positive about what a piece of jewellery is made of and what it should be cleaned with, avoid using water, detergent, baking soda, ammonia, and commercial cloths and dips.

• Seemingly harmless, water could irreversibly damage your jewellery if used to wash it in error.
• Amber, bone, coral, ivory, lapis lazuli, malachite, opal, shells and turquoise should never be washed, although wiping them with a damp cloth will not harm them.

Believe it or not, even diamonds need a little bit of care every so often!

• A gentle brushing with white toothpaste and an old, soft toothbrush will remove film and grime from a diamond. Rinse in warm water and dry with a lint-free cloth.

You can make a homemade cleaning solution for gold and silver jewellery set with hard stones, such as diamonds, sapphires and rubies – but not pearls – by mixing equal parts of water and cloudy ammonia in a jar.

• Soak your jewellery in it for 30 minutes, scrubbing any crevices with an old, soft toothbrush.
• Rinse and then dry with a soft cloth.

Cultured pearls owe their unique lustre to the nacre coating that forms around a bead inserted into a clam or oyster. With regular care, you can keep your pearls looking their best. Here's how:

• After wearing, wipe pearls with a chamois to remove any traces of perspiration, which can damage a pearl's surface.
• To avoid damaging the nacre coating, apply perfume and hair spray before you put on your pearl necklace.
• Always remove a pearl ring before using hand or body lotion.
• Wash very dirty pearls in mild soapy water with a soft cloth. Spread on a moist cloth to air dry gradually.
• Pearls prefer a little moisture, so dampen them with salty water from time to time and allow to air dry.
• To preserve their patina, never clean pearls with solutions containing ammonia or detergents.
• Never use abrasive cleaners on pearls.
• Don't wrap pearls in cotton or wool. These materials may cause the pearls to dry out and crack.

Your jewellery helps you sparkle and shine, so remember to return the favour by taking good care of your rings, necklaces and bracelets!