STERLING
As you long ago discovered with the holiday silver, sterling tarnishes when exposed to air for a prolonged amount of time. Oxidation can be prevented by storing your silver in an airtight container. As unsexy as it seems, a plastic bag is the optimal vessel for silver maintenance. Using a non-abrasive silver polishing cloth ? gently ? will bring back the shine.
VERMEIL
Vermeil is sterling silver with a very thin sheet of 22k gold electroplated to the surface. While it resists the oxidation of sterling, vermeil can always be brightened with a jewelry polishing cloth.
PEARLS
Pearls are soft and delicate. They have Mohs 2.5-4.5 (Mohs is the classic 1-10 hardness scale, for example, diamond is 10, talc is 1). Store them softly, wear them softly, clean them softly.
Close prolonged contact with the skin can dull the luster of pearls. The occasional bath in lukewarm, Ivory soap water [no heavy chemicals, please] will bring back their shine.
Protect pearls from chemicals such as vinegar, alcohol, ammonia, hair spray, bleach, perfume, chlorine, and cosmetics. You should put on your pearls after you have applied makeup, hair spray and perfume. The porous surface of pearls can also absorb odors such as cigarette smoke or food.
An organic material, pearls need a little moisture to prevent cracking. Wearing your pearls at least once a month will prevent them from drying out.
GEMSTONES
Gemstones are regularly heat-treated or dyed to enhance their natural beauty. Direct sunlight will diminish their beauty, so store your pieces away from the sun. Avoid wearing your pieces when using products with a strong or reactive chemical base, and don’t go swimming in chlorine while wearing your jewelry.
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