How to Keep Your Jewellery Sparkling

Diamonds lose their sparkle for a simple reason: a thin film of cream, perfume and dust settles behind the stone and stops light passing through. The good news is that bringing it back takes minutes. Soak the piece in warm water with a few drops of mild soap for twenty minutes, then run a soft toothbrush behind the stones and around the claws, rinse, and dry with a lint-free cloth. This is safe for gold, diamonds and sapphires. Peridot and topaz are softer, so a wipe with a damp cloth is enough for them. The rule that protects jewellery more than any cleaning: it is the last thing you put on and the first thing you take off. Apply perfume and cream first, then your jewellery, and take it off before swimming, because chlorine weakens gold over time. Store each piece in its own pouch; a diamond will scratch gold and other stones if they touch.