Cleaning Techniques Diamonds (NOT foil-backed), Silver and Gold can be cleaned by leaving overnight in a glass of Vodka (not any other type of liquor). Foil-backed stones can be cleaned using a dry soft toothbrush (very lightly) - don't allow to come into contact with water that will deteriorate foil, and absolutely do not submerge the piece! Hard gemstones (NOT POROUS ONES) can be cleaned with a solution made of equal parts of mild liquid laundry detergent and water. Gold can also be cleaned using a solution of ammonia or gentle soap. Higher karats are more pliable so are easier to dent or break. Lava, clean using a barely damp soft toothbrush or cotton swabs. For Pearls, Opals, and Coral, clean with a mixture of 1 teaspoon of Ivory Liquid and 1 quart of lukewarm water. DO NOT SOAK, use a soft cloth dampened with the solution, rinse with cloth dampened with clean water and dry. Amber should be treated as pearls - don't apply hairspray or perfume when wearing. Wash Jet in mild soapsuds and water. For Jet beads, be sure not to soak the string. Carved Jet, Gutta Perche, Toroiseshell, Bog Oak, and similar substances can be cleaned with a piece of soft white bread. Use wadded pieces to daub the jewelry and remove dirt and oil. You can also add a gentle wiping with mineral oil. Green mold from pieces of base metal can be removed with a mixture of equal amounts of mayonnaise and ketchup. Rub on quickly and quickly remove. You may need to apply several times. DO NOT use on fake pearls. Bakelite can be cleaned using a soft, dampened cloth with a very mild abrasive. Use nothing more abrasive than might be used on your car. Silver should never be cleaned using "dipping" cleaners. These can remove the patina. Use silver polish and a soft cloth and Q-tips, making sure you rinse them well. Later you might find polish in crevices and you can do touch-up cleaning. Silver cloths are not too harsh and can be used without worry. Be very cautious about using steam or ultra-sonic cleaners for antique jewelry. These can remove patina, leach color from stones, damage settings, destroy foil-backs, and organic materials (Tortoiseshell, Amber, Jet, Turquoise, and Lapis). *For help recognizing existing repairs, see Married Pieces, Repairs & Reproductions. Buying and Caring for Antique and Vintage Jewelry Buying Antique Jewelry Gemcuts Married Pieces, Repairs & Reproductions Tests to Determine Material ---I'd welcome your comments, suggestions, and any knowledge you'd care to share, as well. Is there a subject you'd like to have added to these pages? Please feel free to email me at: jthomas@jantiques.com