Queen Elizabeth Stainless Steel Necklace

Keep your jewelry looking its best with simple maintenance. Make sure you understand how jewelry should be worn, stored and properly cleaned. Try to protect all jewelry from sharp blows, harsh chemicals, sunlight and extreme temperatures.

Chlorine and related chemicals can severely discolor and damage jewelry as well as loosen stones and settings. Never spray perfume or wear your jewelry against skin with perfume or perfumed lotions and while applying make up or hair spray. Most of these substances will break down the metal alloys, leaving your jewelry dull or pitting the surface of your gemstones. The metal will react to the chemicals causing it to rust and tarnish.

Always remove jewelry before using any products that may contain ammonia, alcohol, bleach turpentine or fingernail polish removers that contain acetone. Do not wear jewelry while bathing, exercising, swimming, washing hands or doing laundry.

Do not just jumble your jewelry together in a jewelry box. The pieces will rub against one another causing scratches in the metal, scratches in the rhinestones, and even causing the stones to drop out. Store jewelry separately so it will not scratch other jewelry. Cultured pearls are best stored in a special chamois pouch because of their softness. Never store Pearls in plastic bags! Storing beaded necklaces flat is highly recommended to reduce stretching. It is best to store your jewelry in a box or in plastic bags (zip lock). If storing a pin and earring set in the same box, fasten the pin and earrings to the cotton insert to eliminate the possibility of them rubbing together.

Storing your jewelry in plastic bags with an interlocking seal when not in use slows the tarnishing process. If you want to keep your rhinestone jewelry in wooden materials like drawers etc., take note of materials like oak, it has certain chemicals that react adversely with the metals in costume jewelry.

Sterling silver tarnishes naturally and requires occasionally cleaning. Polish sterling silver and other precious metals, brass and copper carefully with a sunshine cloth. Polish both metal and gem beads carefully with a selvyt (flannel) polishing cloth. When cleaning is needed use a soft toothbrush along with mild soap and lukewarm water to gently clean sterling silver and gold jewelry. Carefully wipe jewelry with a soft chamois or flannel cloth after each cleaning and wearing to remove oils, salts and to dry. This is especially important for pearls.

Many of Arzo® products are stainless steel and hypoallergenic. Stainless steel is durable and resists corrosion and oxidation. With simple care, it will not rust, tarnish, or turn your skin green, even if worn daily. It is also a great choice for those who have sensitive skin to certain metals. Like many other metals, it can lose its luster, therefore becoming dull. Restoring its shine is easy to do. You may clean it with any of mild liquid soap and warm water or baking soda and water.