For every person who walks into my shop and asks me to clean and check their jewelry (something we sometimes can do for free)...it seems like there is another who asks me to "fix" the mess they made when they tried to do it themselves.

There are six different metals represented in this wedding band assortment. The cleaning/polishing method will vary from piece to piece.

People get every sort of gunk they handle on a daily basis building up on their jewelry...paint, lotion, grease, food etc, etc and for the most part, it does little harm but it does detract from the look and wearing experience. They also abrade the metal and stones by coming in contact with everyday objects...dishes, broom sticks...anything you might hold in your hand. Unfortunately people also use all sorts of poor methods to try to clean and polish it. Toothpaste is for teeth. Ammonia is for bathroom floors. Chlorine is for laundry bleach and swimming pools...etc, etc.

The best way to deal with these things and increase the life and utility of your bling is to have it inspected, cleaned and polished by a pro. In my shop we inspect the piece to see what we have... what metal? what gemstone? any damage? value? Is it plated? has someone glued something in place? what is the nature of any previous repairs??? We than make a decision on what is the best way to clean the piece. A typical cleaning usually means a short soak in a heated ultrasonic with an alkaline solution and a blast of 80psi steam. If the metal is overly scratched up and abraded we might polish it on a buffing wheel with a very fine polishing compound. We also check the item for loose stones, damaged prongs and other signs of damage.

All these rings are 14k gold but because some of the gemstones are fragile the cleaning and polishing methods will be different.

What can go wrong??? So f'n much! Plating will come off when you polish. Loose stones will fall out in a ultrasonic. Karated gold jewelry can become porous after being soaked in ammoniated cleaners. Some gemstones are very delicate and can be easily damaged through polishing or heat or chemicals (emeralds, opals, coral, cameos ) some gems cant take heat without damage (amethyst, some garnets, peridot, tanzanite) .

So, go ahead and take the plunge and start a relationship with your local goldsmith. If you are a person who enjoys owning and wearing fine jewelry, besides having nicer looking pieces that last longer, you might just save some $$$.