Please read through the useful hints, tips and how to guides below.

To clean old jewellery

detergent \ warm water

Clean in this solution, and brush out crevices with a small brush (toothbrush, mascara brush or similar).

cloudy ammonia or methylated spirits

Soak in undiluted ammonia for 10 minutes or so, rinse in cold water and pat dry. Clean filigree or crevices with toothbrush.

To polish

soft tissue paper

Rub jewellery firmly till it shines.

Polishing cloth for jewellery

2 teaspoons plate powder | 2 dessertspoons cloudy ammonia | 1 1/2 cups cloudy ammonia | flannelette cloth

Soak cloth in mixture until it is completely absorbed. Leave to dry, then use for jewellery or silver.

To clean

talcum powder | plastic bag

Put pearls in a plastic bag with plenty of talc, seal the bag and push the pearls about in the talc. Remove them, shake off powder and buff with a soft towelling cloth.

dry uncooked rice

Shake pearls in a plastic bag with rice to polish and restore lustre.

bran

Place bran in an ovenproof dish and heat through. Remove from oven and cover pearls with hot bran. Leave till cold, remove pearls and wipe clean.

To remove

If you have been struggling to remove a tight ring and your finger has become red, puffy and sore, relax for a few minutes with your finger in a bowl of icy water. Holding your hand above your head should also reduce swelling. Then try either of the following.

fine string

Thread a piece of fine string beneath the ring then wind the upper end evenly round your finger in a spiral to the middle joint. Grasp the lower end of the string and gently wind it upwards till the ring has spiralled up your finger and come off.

soap

Wet your finger with cold water and rub on a little soft soap then twist thering up over your knuckle.