Better Beader Episode 27: How to Care for and Maintain Your Jewelry

In this video tutorial from PotomacBeads, Allie shares tips and tricks on cleaning and maintaining your jewelry.
Click here for complete bead & jewelry-making supply lists:
➡️www.potomacbeads.com/how-to/b...
Enjoy using this Better Beader tutorial video to help you become a more creative and happier beader!

[@stephanieriva7936]

I lined the bottom of all the drawers of my jewelry box with Pacific Silvercloth--the authentic brown cloth, not the generic anti-tarnish cloth. I bought it at my local fabric store over 20 years ago, and it still works like a charm. Pricey stuff, but my box didn't use much yardage, I only had to do it once, and I never have to polish any metal I store in the box. I also hand sew simple Pacific Silvercloth bags for any necklaces and bracelets I don't store in the box, which keeps them free of tangles, nicks, and tarnish. The bags are perfect for when I travel--no need to transfer them to another bag or box before putting them in my suitcase. To make the bags, I cut a rectangle in whatever size is needed to hold the piece, fold the bottom two-thirds of the rectangle together and sew the two sides of that section closed, then fold the last third "flap" over the sewed portion to close the bag.

[@Potomacbeadco]

Thanks for sharing that, Stephanie.

[@myerscough1948]

Thank you Allie, I must of missed this one before great information

[@martacizmarik6270]

Nicely done Allie! You have offered many useful ways any jewelry lover can use to protect their jewelry. I have already used some of your techniques and they work well. As for a storage of my finished beaded jewelry pieces (especially round ones), I place each piece on a sturdy paper plate and then stock them up separated with a foam tissue in a round paper box container so they don't touch and get air and they are safe for moving around too. And I air and clean them ( if necessary) from time to time. ;) Thank you!

[@Potomacbeadco]

Thanks for sharing that, Marta.

[@clarissalines4544]

Great Tips!!! Thank you!!💕💕

[@brookspa94]

Thank You!

[@mjanechipser7640]

I use the antitarnish strips. They work well!

[@lindagerman6807]

Awesome episode Allie, it’s something we all need to know! One tip that I learned from my mom, who in turn learned it from her mother. That is ammonia (sudsy ammonia in Canada). They used ammonia to clean their Diamond engagement rings, wedding bands, and also gold chains. To this day, I’m continuing to do the same, just placing the ammonia in a small dish or glass, and then adding my 10 & 14 it Jewelry. I have learned from experience Do Not Add Pearls! Can not stress this enough! I can watch my gold jewelry lose its dirt and skin oils - but tend to leave the gold and diamonds overnight. Had I been watching, I could perhaps have seen the pearls lose their nacre, the coating that we pay so much for! It also isn’t appropriate for silver cleaning, but it’s a simple trick for bright shiny diamonds, and 10 & 14 it gold!

[@DD-d6d3]

Don't use even diluted ammonia on white gold or sterling silver. It will pit sterling, and take the rhodium off white gold.

[@lindagerman6807]

I’ve got my grandmothers and mothers 18 ct white gold diamond rings which have been cleaned using sudsy ammonia for 50+ years, that have not had any problems - no pitting. Just beautiful jewelry.

[@susanpicken6874]

I use press & seal for travel.

[@talleramares2847]

Me gustaría que el video le colocarán traducción en español, gracias

[@JaneThomas58]

I am a subscriber with notifications bell. Your new videos do not pop up in my Inbox.

[@Potomacbeadco]

Mine come to my email address. It depends on how you have it set up.