A Cheeky Guide to Jewellery Care from Fogal and Barnes

Hello, darlings! It's your favourite jewellery aficionado from Fogal and Barnes Fine Jewellers of Harrogate. Pour yourself a cuppa, and let's have a natter about keeping your bling in tip-top shape, shall we?

The Golden Rule of Jewellery Wear

First things first, loves. Remember this little nugget: your jewellery should be the last thing you put on and the first thing you take off. Why, you ask? Well, unless you fancy your perfume doubling as a corrosive agent for your precious metals, it's best to spritz yourself silly before adorning yourself with jewels. Trust me, your great-gran's pearls will thank you.

The Prong Predicament

Now, let's talk about those pesky prongs, shall we? They're like the unsung heroes of the jewellery world – always holding things together but never getting the credit. Give your rings a good squint every now and then. If a prong looks like it's trying to make a break for it, pop into our shop quicker than you can say "Yorkshire pudding." We'll sort it out before your diamond decides to go on an adventure of its own.

The Opal Opera

Opals, oh opals! These divas of the gem world need special attention. Whatever you do, don't dunk them in soapy water ,remember they are not your favourite biscuit. Opals are about 5-6% water, which means they're practically cousins to those cucumber sandwiches at your last garden party. Clean them gently with a soft, damp cloth, and they'll continue to dazzle for years to come.

The Jeans Jewellery Jam

Here's a tale that'll make you chuckle. Last week, a bloke came into the shop looking rather sheepish. He'd been keeping his 18kt gold chain in the front pocket of his jeans. Let's just say, after a few washes, that chain looked like it had gone ten rounds with a spin cycle. Moral of the story? Your jewellery box and your laundry basket should never, ever be on speaking terms.

The Waterpark Woes

Speaking of water, let me regale you with a tale from my recent holiday. Picture this: I'm at a waterpark, ready to make a splash, when I notice a queue longer than the one for the loo at Wimbledon. Turns out, it was for the lockers! The lifeguards were having a field day, telling folks to remove their jewellery faster than you can say "fish and chips." So, next time you're planning a day of aquatic adventure, leave the sparklers at home, eh?

Everyday Hacks for the Savvy Jewellery Owner

Now, for some tricks of the trade that'll make you feel like you've got Mary Poppins' bag of jewellery care:

1. **The Fizzy Cleaner**: Drop your silver bits in a bowl of water with a tablet of denture cleaner(hopefully not your husbands). It'll fizz away the tarnish quicker than you can say "God Save the King."

2. **The Condiment Cleaner**: A dab of ketchup on a soft cloth can work wonders on tarnished silver. Just don't mix up your chip sauce with your cleaning sauce!

3. **The Chalk Trick**: Pop a piece of chalk in your jewellery box. It'll absorb moisture and keep your silver shining brighter than a new penny.

4. **The Straw Solution**: Thread delicate necklaces through a straw before fastening. It'll keep them from tangling , but ladies be careful to remove these before enjoying your evening G & T.

5. **The Handy Hanger**: Use a pretty teacup hook to hang your necklaces. It's storage and decor rolled into one, like a fashionable full English breakfast.

6 **The Tinfoil Trick** while doing the housework why not Kill two birds with one stone.- lets make cleaning your silver a bit more interesting !! - Clean your family silver and your jewellery all at the same time ! - fill your sink with warm water , line it with tin foil, and sprinkle it with some bicaronate of soda and watch the magic happen ! - ps dont forget to rinse 

Remember, darlings, your jewellery is like a good friend – treat it with care, and it'll stick with you through thick and thin. And if you ever need a hand (or just fancy a chat about all things sparkly), pop into Fogal and Barnes Fine Jewellers. We're in the heart of Harrogate, ready to keep your jewels as radiant as a summer's day in the Yorkshire Dales.

Cheerio for now, and may your diamonds always sparkle brighter than your wit!