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Monday, July 25, 2011

Top 10 Enemies of Gold Jewelry: # 9


Sweaters. (And turtlenecks!)


Sweaters, and especially turtleneck sweaters, are a common winter nemesis to your jewelry. With winter lasting at least 9 months in Laramie, they are a necessary item in everyones' closets! However, with the open knit pattern and super high neckline, it is no wonder that our jewelry is in harm's way every time we put on that comfy sweater.


Rings and bracelets can easily get their prongs snagged, which could lead to losing stones or costly repairs, leaving you without your jewelry for a short time. Few people believe that something as strong as gold could be bent out of place by yarn or fabric, but a fairly significant proportion of the repairs here claim cotton as the culprit!


The other common mishap while wrapped neck-high in cashmere is snapping pendant chains. The turtleneck top is a classy wardrobe essential- especially when paired with a long station necklace or pendant! The trouble with wearing a necklace over your top is that when you go to change into your PJ's at the end of the day, often you forget to take your jewelry off first. Sweaters are designed to stretch to go over your head; gold however, is not.


The best solution for keeping prongs and chains in good shape, is to look them over yourself every so often. Prongs are designed to be symetrical, if they aren't- bring it in!! When you notice that a prong is snagging or catching on things, bring it to us to clean and check (and repair if necessary)!


Most times with prongs, if they are just slightly bent, it is a quick, no-charge fix, but if not fixed soon, it could get worse and that's when stones get lost, chipped or settings need to be replaced and that can run up the bill quickly!!


As for chains, there isn't really much preventative maintainance that can be done, other than trying to remember that you are wearing it and taking it off before anything else. NEVER wear a necklace to bed unless you are prepared to have it repaired often!


Try as you may however, you probably won't always remember, so Alexander's Fine Jewelry is here to help, and we can certainly repair broken chains, prongs, or just about anything else!

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