| Like most fashion jewelry (a.k.a costume jewelry) | | | | and it is called Silver Brite. This is an all in one cream |
| lovers you probably have some old seemingly worn | | | | that cleans, polishes, and re-plates worn silver on |
| out rings, necklaces, or bracelets shoved to the back | | | | jewelry and other items. It is very easy to use and |
| of your drawer or jewelry box that never get worn. | | | | fairly inexpensive. Just rub the cream on with an |
| The great thing about inexpensive costume jewelry | | | | applicator sponge or a Q-tip for small items and rub |
| is that it is easy to get your moneys worth out of it. | | | | off with the buffing cloth that is included with the kit. |
| However, why not get even more bank for your | | | | The result is a clean, sparking silver finish. |
| buck by breathing new life into those old jewelry | | | | Problem 3: Loose or missing stones? |
| pieces by reversing some of their most common | | | | If a stone such as a cubic zirconia, plastic, or glass |
| issues: | | | | has become loose or fallen out a drop or two of |
| Problem 1: Dirty or Tarnished? | | | | super glue will do the trick. Just be careful not to use |
| Cleaning fashion jewelry is simple but choose your | | | | too much. You don't want the glue oozing out of the |
| cleaner wisely. Only use a jewelry cleaner that | | | | sides and causing the piece to adhere to your skin or |
| specifically states that it is safe for costume jewelry | | | | some other object. Most of the time a single drop will |
| and read the ingredients to make sure that it does | | | | suffice unless it is a very large stone in which case |
| not contain alcohol, acids, or ammonia because these | | | | you may want to use two drops. If you cannot find |
| can strip the gold or silver plate. Use a children's soft | | | | the missing stone there are companies online that sell |
| bristle tooth brush for cleaning around costume | | | | loose cz stones if you have a particular chain or ring |
| jewelry stones. Its probably not be a good idea to | | | | band you want to salvage. Simply do an internet |
| immerse rhinestone jewelry because the stones can | | | | search for cz stones. |
| become unglued. | | | | Problem 4: Broken clasp? |
| If your fashion jewelry items are only lightly tarnished | | | | If your fashion necklace or bracelet has a broken |
| a good buffing with a soft dry jewelry cloth may do | | | | clasp make sure it is the actual clasp that is broken. |
| the trick. For more heavily tarnished items a jewelry | | | | The problem may be a broken jump ring which is a |
| polish can work wonders. | | | | tiny metal ring that is open in one spot which |
| Problem 2: Worn out gold or silver plating? | | | | connects the clasp to the chain. If this is the problem |
| Because typical fashion jewelry plating is very thin it | | | | it can be easily fixed. First identify what kind of clasp |
| can eventually rub off from wear or become | | | | it is (e.g. lobster clasp which is shaped like a lobster |
| damaged from the use of harsh chemicals, creams, | | | | claw and has a tiny spring loaded lever, a magnetic |
| or perfumes. If this happens there are several | | | | clasp which is just as it sounds, or a spring ring which |
| options in gold and silver re-plating solutions that can | | | | is also spring loaded) then visit your local craft store |
| be found online. Some are fairly simple and can be | | | | or do a search online for jewelry clasps and you |
| performed without the use of heat or electricity | | | | should find what you need. If the clasp is soldered on |
| while others are a little more complex. I found one | | | | you will need to contact a jewelry repair professional. |
| website in particular that offers a very good variety | | | | Problem 5: Out of date: |
| of plating options (e.g. immersion plating, pen plating) | | | | If you simply want to add a new flair to your old |
| and general plating instructions for precious metals | | | | fashion jewelry pieces you can simply mix and match. |
| including gold, silver, platinum, and rhodium. It is Click | | | | If you have a special pendant that you are especially |
| on the contents and search box and then plating | | | | fond of give it a new life with a more contemporary |
| gateway. One word of caution: I would recommend | | | | chain. Add new charms to your favorite bracelet or |
| buying only cyanide free plating solutions as cyanide is | | | | re-plate that old silver necklace with a shiny new gold |
| poisonous. For silver lovers there is one product that | | | | finish. Be creative! |
| I have personally used that has worked well for me | | | | |