If you have some old jewelry you plan on taking to the pawn shop, making sure it looks its best can help you get more money for it. One way to do this is to make sure your pieces are clean and shiny. Use the three-step guide below to use a cleaner to spruce up your jewelry using ingredients found in pharmacies and grocery stores.
Step 1: Soak Your Jewelry In A Homemade Cleaner
This first step involves soaking your jewelry in a homemade cleaner designed to remove any tarnish, skin oils, and dirt. Once the cleaner dissolves these materials, you will be able to remove them more easily.
To make your homemade cleaner, you will need white distilled vinegar, tea tree oil, and baking soda. The vinegar and baking soda will cut through any caked-on grime. The baking soda also gives the cleaner a gentle abrasive quality that will be useful in the next step.
the tea tree oil helps break up the oils that may dull the metals and gems. The oil can also remove any hidden mold or mildew because of its natural antifungal properties.
In a small bowl, mix together a half of a cup of vinegar with a tablespoon of baking soda. Then, stir in two drops of tea tree oil.
Place your jewelry in the cleaning solution and let it soak for 15 minutes. Use your fingers to rearrange the pieces, then let them soak for an additional 10 minutes. Moving them around ensures all surfaces are covered. Once the time is up, go on to the second step.
Step 2: Scrub The Gems With An Old Toothbrush
After soaking your jewelry and loosening the dirt, this next step in the process uses an old, soft toothbrush to scrub away the remaining grime. When doing this step, use a light touch so that you do not knock out any of the stones.
One at a time, place a jewelry piece in the palm of your non-dominant hand. While holding it, use the toothbrush with your dominant hand to scrub around the gems. Use light, circular motions to break up the residual dirt.
Gently use the brush on the setting or chain, if applicable. When scrubbing this part of the jewelry piece, slide the brush along the area instead of using circular motions. This will prevent scratching or knotting it up.
After finishing each piece, place it back in the cleaner and repeat the above until all of your jewelry has been scrubbed. Then, go on to the third step.
Step 3: Rinse With Witch Hazel
After your jewelry has been scrubbed and allowed to soak for an additional five minutes, the final step in the cleaning process uses witch hazel to rinse the pieces. Witch hazel is an astringent that will remove any residual cleaning solution and dirt. It also dries without leaving spots, leaving your jewelry shiny and beautiful.
Fill a small bowl with a cup of straight witch hazel. Then, pick up each jewelry piece one at a time and dip it into the liquid. Swirl it around for about a minute.
Remove the piece and hold it above the bowl for about a half a minute to allow any excess to drip off. Then, place the piece on a dry, cloth towel and let it air dry. Repeat with each piece of jewelry.
Once you have cleaned all of your jewelry pieces, they are ready to take to the pawn shop. Having them cleaned beforehand will enable the shop's representative to properly assess, give you additional info, and grade your jewelry so you can receive the most amount of money whether you plan to pawn or sell it.
Share8 May 2015
Most of us who live out in nature are pleased to see little critters scampering around our yards and trails. But part of rural life is the occasional encounter with a creature that isn't so welcome. These intruders may be simply annoying like a raccoon that knocks over a trash can or a wolf loudly yelping to its mate in the middle of the night. Animals like bears and some snakes may even be dangerous. Other creatures we mostly like, such as deer and rabbits, become a lot less cute when they have broken into the garden and are chomping away on our vegetables. Thankfully there are products we can use to encourage those critters to go right back where they came from. This blog will highlight them.
