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     All of us most likely have pieces of jewelry we wear daily. Whether it is a ring, necklace, or earrings, the pieces are special to us. Over time dirt, grease, soap residue and other build-up makes the pieces less than spectacular. Regular cleaning can help keep our favorite jewelry amazing. Did you know using mild soap, water and a soft-toothbrush is the safest way to clean your jewelry? More and more at home jewelry cleaning products are available, such as ultrasonic jewelry cleaners, steamers, and chemicals. However, not all gems tolerate certain types of cleaning. For example, ultrasonic jewelry cleaners can be harmful to porous stones like turquoise and softer gems like opals. Additionally, if you have a treated stone, the ultrasonic cleaner can ruin it. Another popular cleaner is the steamer. The steamer cleans dirt through a high pressure steam.  It is wonderful at removing dirt, but can sometimes push dirt into cracks in the stone’s surface or loosen the mountings. Lastly, the chemicals in jewelry cleaners can be very harmful to pearls and some metals. The ammonia or chlorine often found in these cleaners can eat away at the finish.
     If you have any doubts about how to clean your jewelry, give us a call or stop by.  We can help you pick the cleaning method safest for your special pieces.

The holiday season is in high gear and we have been delighted to see familiar faces, as well as to make new friends. Our team wishes all of you the very best for the new year. We look forward to seeing you in 2012!

A record has been broken! The beautiful pearl necklace with rubies and diamonds worn by Elizabeth Taylor has been sold at auction for more than 11 million dollars. Richard Burton presented Elizabeth with this necklace as a gift of love and devotion.. Previously the record price of pearls was approximately 7 million dollars at auction in 2007. Pearls form over time in the loving embrace of water creatures and are graded based on a number of factors including their size, shape, color, and rarity. Come into Blumenthal Jewelers to find your treasure from the sea.

Jewelry can be a symbol of love, a show of power, or a keepsake with a thousand memories. Since the beginning of time people have adorned themselves with precious stones and metals. People have given, received, worn, traded, and passed down pieces of importance. Kings and Queens of old wore the crown jewels as a badge of their position of power. Elizabeth Taylor had her diamonds even when she did not have her husbands. Kate Middleton wears Diana’s sapphire ring as a testament to love and tradition. Your Mom puts on her favorite pieces daily or maybe just for special occasions to make her feel beautiful. Although the styles have changed and trends have come and gone, jewelry will always have a place in our lives. The trend for 2012 will be a blend of heirloom and contemporary in classic cuts and settings that will endure the test of time.