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Jewelry repair work can save your favorite pair of earrings or bracelet when the worst happens. But you can limit the amount of damage that happens in the first place by caring for your pieces in the right way. If you're not sure how to maintain your baubles properly, a few key tips can mean all the difference between sparkling gems and broken chains. Put It On Last When you're getting dressed, don't start with your necklace, earrings, rings, or bracelets. If you're wearing them when you apply perfume, cologne, cosmetics, body lotions, or hair styling products, you'll expose them to chemicals that might damage the materials. Instead, make your jewels the last thing that you put on so they don't have as much contact with your beauty and personal care products. Take It Off (Sometimes) Prevention is the surest way to cut back on your need for repairs - so while you may want to wear your favorite necklace all the time, there are some situations where you're actually putting your jewelry at serious risk. Before you do any manual tasks, such as washing the dishes or trimming the hedges, remove your pieces. That will limit their exposure to harsh cleansers or chemicals and reduce the possibility that they'll get snagged. You should also take off your baubles before going swimming in a pool to avoid contact with chlorine. In addition, remove them before participating in contact sports where they may suffer damage that requires jewelry repair work. Clean Carefully Making sure that your gold and silver pieces are clean can help keep them in good condition - but that doesn't mean you should wear them in the shower. Your usual soap can leave behind a film or residue that may be damaging to the materials. Instead, wash your items with appropriate cleansers and tools. Polish gold and silver with a cloth made specifically for the task - don't use napkins, tissues, or paper towels, which are too rough for the job. When you need to wash your pieces, opt for a non-abrasive jewelry cleanser. Hot water can cause discolorations and other damage, so use your cleansing agent with warm water. Wipe each piece dry with a soft cloth, taking care to rub in the same direction. If you have some rings, necklaces, earrings, and other items that are extremely dirty or broken, don't try to clean them yourself. Take them in for professionally cleaning. Inspect Regularly To limit your need for costly jewelry repair work, inspect your pieces periodically. Check for ill-fitting closures and clasps, loose gemstones, and other signs of possible damage. By catching possible problems early, you can prevent more complicated, costly repairs in the future. If you're having your items professionally cleaned, you may want to have them inspected by a trained eye at the same time to ensure that they're in good condition. When searching for jewelry repair services, Ann Arbor residents turn to http://www.lewisjeweler.com/services.
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