Simple Tips to Maintain Jade, Pearl and crystal
2008-08-21

      Last article we have talked about maintaining tips on gold, diamond, and silver, this article will go on talking about maintaining methods on jade, pearl and crystal.      1. Jade      Jade is an ornamental stone. The term it is applied to two different rocks nephrite and jadeite that are made up of different silicate minerals. Many people believe that, although more expensive diamonds and gold cannot be compared with jade - jade is animated with a soul.       If you love or you own a jade, it is essential to know the maintaining method about jade.       1). Avoid bumping on hard surfaces as jade is delicate. Although sometimes a crack cannot be seen by the naked eye, the interior structure may have been damaged. As time goes on, it will appear and reduce the value of the piece.       2). Protect jade articles from dust or greasy dirt. If tainted, they must be scrubbed with a soft brush and light suds and washed with clean water.       3). When left unused it is best to store the jade in a case or box to protect it from being bumped.       4). Jade should be kept away from perfume, perspiration or chemicals. The brightness of jade risks corrosion, especially emerald and other high quality jade, so it is better to clean it with a soft cloth after wearing it.       5). Do not expose jade to sunlight for a long time, or it may expand and the quality will change slightly.       6). Jade has certain water content so keep it in an area of humidity to protect it from over-drying.      

      2. Pearl        A pearl is a hard, roundish object produced within the soft tissue (specifically the mantle) of a living shelled mollusk. The ideal pearl is perfectly round and smooth, but many other shapes of pearls occur.       The finest quality natural pearls have been highly valued as gemstones and objects of beauty for many centuries, and because of this, the word pearl became a metaphor for something very rare, very fine, very admirable and very valuable.       Caring for your pearl jewelry is a vital part in the prolonged longevity and beauty you can achieve with your pearls. Pearls in general are more delicate than other types of jewels, and therefore require a bit more attention and care. Following a few simple steps and avoiding contact with certain substances can ensure your pearls stay beautiful for a long time.       1). The best way to keep your pearls beautiful is by wearing them. Your body's natural oils can keep pearls moist and lustrous. When dressing, put on pearls only after applying hairspray, cosmetics, perfume or other potentially harmful substances that might stain them.       2). Avoid keeping pearls together with hard gems and precious metals. Because pearl is easy to scratch.       3). Remove pearl accessories before working around water. You can use a soft, lint-free cloth as soon as you take them off. The cloth can be dampened with water or it can be dry. If damp, allow the pearls to air dry before putting them away.       4). Be especially careful around vinegar and fruit juices. It would not be an exaggeration to say that vinegar and acidic fruit juices are the natural enemies of pearls. If these liquids should come into contact with the pearls, clean the pearls immediately with a soft, dry cloth to avoid discoloration.       5). Store pearls in a dark place. They will discolor in a matter of hours under the sun, so please take care to keep them in a case or drawer, safely out of the light.       6). To increase the longevity of your pearl jewelry, you should consider having them restrung each year. This will keep your pearls in good condition and also ensure that the chord is in a good, strong condition.       3. Crystal       Since ancient times, the world's most pure things are the crystal. It is often compared to a girl's tears, stars in summer night or soul of the world. Fine crystal is a very special keepsake and great care should be taken when cleaning and storing your pieces. Hear are some tips for you to take care of them.       1). Bury your crystal in dry sea salt in a small container for between 7 - 24 hours. Dont's use salt water because it can discoloring the crystal. After that rinse them in clean water, and dry. Polishing it with a jewellers cloth if you like your crystals super shiny.       2). The vibrations of a pure sound can energetically cleanse a crystal and remove the feeling of unpleasantness.       3). If you end up with hard water spots on your crystal, you can use a small amount of vinegar to remove them (in fact, you can actually add a little vinegar to the dish water if you wish when you wash crystal.) If absolutely necessary you can use a soft brush to do this for stubborn spots       4). Also, if you have any small pieces of crystal, figurines or jewelry, do not use jewelry cleaner, but again, wash with a mild soap, and polish with a soft cloth. If a figurine does crack you can try gluing with a clear-drying epoxy intended for glass or crystal, NOT Super Glue, or something similar. Dry the figurine in the sun if possible to help the bonding.       Because of different characteristics, different kinds of jewelry need different care. Just a little carefulness, your cowries will be lasting long and brighter. What a good things! Why don’t you do so?