Grandma’s Corals

5 Caring for Jewelry

Fashion, that little troublemaker, is increasingly peeking into the old chest. Ancient lace, romantic long skirts, and—oh, the jewelry! Those coral pieces worn in multiple strands! My great-grandmother’s modest silver ring with coral or a turquoise eye holds value primarily because it’s a cherished memento of a loved one. That’s why it’s essential to take good care of these items.

Every piece of jewelry requires attention. Don’t just toss everything into a box; necklaces can get tangled, and stones can scratch metal. When you don’t have special boxes, wrap each item separately in a soft cloth. As for corals, they need to be worn; without contact with the human body, they lose their luster and can perish.

From time to time, you should inspect, clean, and rearrange your jewelry. Gold pieces can be washed in soapy water, and if they’re heavily soiled, use a soft toothbrush. For cleaning the stone settings, twist some cotton around a toothpick and use cologne or a mixture of magnesium and ammonia. Then, polish the ring with flannel or suede. To prevent dirt from accumulating between the setting and the stone in the future, take off your ring when washing your hands.

Silver and nickel-silver jewelry can be cleaned in the same way, but remember that tarnish on silver is easily removed, so just polish those areas. A silver bracelet or chain can be soaked in warm soapy water for a while. You can also use tooth powder.

Glass beads should be washed with a solution of laundry detergent, and larger beads (unless they are artificial pearls) can be cleaned with a brush. Wooden jewelry shouldn’t be washed; just wipe it with flannel. Copper pieces can be cleaned with a mixture of chalk and ammonia, but sometimes it’s enough to rub them to a shine with dry cotton. Copper and silver tarnish over time. To prevent jewelry from staining your clothes, coat the back with clear nail polish.

And one more important point: jewelry needs to be stored properly. For peace of mind at home (especially if you have children), don’t keep these items in plain sight; misunderstandings can arise when such trinkets suddenly go missing without a trace…