Whether gifts from a loved one, a family heirloom or something new and exciting, with proper care, your jewelry will bring you many years of pleasure. Here are several tips to remember:

CARE

(1) Store jewelry separately in a clean, dry place. If necessary, wrap each piece individually in soft tissue to avoid contact with rough objects, coarse materials, or other jewelry.

(2) Remove jewelry during household chores, gardening tasks and exercising.

(3) Do not place your jewelry in substances containing chlorine such as hot tubs and pools.

(4) Prevent fading of gemstones by storing jewelry away from sunlight.

(5) Never store pearls in plastic bags or sealed containers as they must be frequently exposed to fresh air.

(6) Have your jeweler annually check your pieces for loosened stones, settings, clasps and safety chains.

(7) Avoid stretching of beaded necklaces, such as lapis or pearls, by storing flat.

(8) Preserve pearls and other jewelry's luster by putting on your jewelry after applying cosmetics, hairspray and perfume.

(9) Always use a soft brush when cleaning the prongs of larger gems.

(10) Opals are among the most fragile gems and are subject to moisture loss and cracking. You can coat with baby oil to prevent drying out or rub the stone gently with your finger. Also, opals may crack because of changes in temperature. Therefore, avoid wearing them when going from one extreme temperature to another.

CLEANING:

(1) Gold. Soak your gemless gold in a jewelry cleaner or a solution consisting of lukewarm water and non-detergent soap. Rinse and dry with a lint-free cloth.

(2) Precious gems. Diamonds, emeralds, sapphires, rubies, amethysts, aquamarines, garnets, jade, topaz and tourmaline can be cleaned with either a jewelry cleaning product or by soaking them briefly in an ammonia solution. Rinse and pat dry. After each wearing, clean your amber, coral, lapis lazuli, jet, pearls, tortoise shell or turquoise with a dry, soft cloth.