Clickbait: modern internet users love to hate it. So why do absurd claims and questionable tactics persist? The answer lies in consumer (read: human) habits. Though we vehemently deny it, a tiny piece of us still wants to find that too-good-to-be-true panacea for our perceived woes, and we never really stop searching for it. Well, I'm sorry to say I can't offer you a cure-all -- I'm in the jewelry business, not snake oil. What I can give you are some neat little tips (definitely not tricks) to help solve some common jewelry woes.
Woe #1: Help! My previous jewelry gets all tangled up whenever I travel. I've tried everything! Woe-away: Meet your new best friend, the drinking straw. Depending on the style and length of your necklace, you can either (a) drop one end of the chain through the straw and re-clasp it, which will keep it from tangling; or (b) cut a small notch in the top & bottom of the straw, drop the whole necklace through, gently tug the chain down each notch, and lay a small piece of tape to keep them in place. Stack multiples together and secure with a rubber band, and off you go. No more tangles!
Woe #2: I'm on vacation and really don't want a sunburn, so I'm wearing lots of lotions all the time and getting very sandy. But now my diamond rings look disgusting! What do I do? Woe-away: You have options galore on this one. In order of most to least effective, they are:
- Leave your diamonds at home next time, and just wear a pretty but non-gemstone band. Easier to clean, and no risk!
- Purchase a portable cleaning stick with brush attached. Use it to gently remove all the build up, rinse, and pat dry.
- If applying lotions in a safe place (hotel room), simply remove all jewelry first and allow lotion to dry/set before putting them back on. Be mindful of where you place your jewels during this process (ring holder or jewelry case good, edge of sink bad).
- Rinse hands thoroughly with soap and water, taking extra care with rings to rinse well. A very soft, old toothbrush used to brush gently will help dislodge some of the gunk.
Woe #3: My ring is doing loop-the-loops around my finger in the cold weather, but it usually fits fine in the heat. What do I do? Woe-away: While it's best to bring this sort of problem straight to a trusted jeweler, there's a good chance that he or she will suggest some version of sizing balls or bars. Think of them as speed bumps on the inside bottom of the ring, as they help to "grip" the finger a little better when it's loose, but maintain enough breathing room for when the ring feels snug. Keep in mind that someone people find the little nubs uncomfortable at times, but since they're typically fairly easy to remove, it's often worth a shot. Useful for arthritic knuckles, too.
I think that's enough secret-spilling for one day, don't you? If you have a jewelry woe, feel free to ask in the comments or send a message. The solution might just help you AND someone else!