Yantar is a favorite stone of many, which was acquired not only as a component of decorative relationships, but also as a talisman for good luck. Long since people believed in the miraculous properties of amber, cared for him, thoroughly cleaned and looked after. How to properly keep the stone in perfect condition, let's talk in our article.
General rules
Most often, amber is cleaned at home. People try to restore the brilliance of the stone, polish, polish it. However, it should not be forgotten that there are general rules, without which you can’t achieve the perfect look. Let's talk about them in more detail.
For work, you will need an extremely soft fabric to protect amber from scratches. Too much pressure is not needed, just enough to carry the material on the product. A cotton swab or a small soft brush is perfect for cleaning hard-to-reach items.
The tank in which the stone is washed should be voluminous and spacious. Amber cannot lie in several layers. In addition, we must not forget that being in water or solutions has clear time limits. It should also be borne in mind that the gem immediately after water procedures must be wiped thoroughly, otherwise it will become cloudy.
Do not damage the stones and periodic washing with ordinary warm water. If amber is darkened, dimmed, you can use special tools that are represented in a variety of jewelry stores.
What can not be applied?
Amber is not quite a stone. It is a mineral of organic origin, respectively, is quite fragile. Therefore, the use of cleaning agents and standard care methods can harm. For example, ultrasonic exposure leads to cracking, and cleaning with a steam generator threatens that the resin may break. If it was decided to stay on the use of soap, you need to take exclusively childish or household.
If the stone is affected by alkali and acid, which are part of most cleaning products, it will darken and lose its natural luster. Contact with alcohol and alcohol-containing products leads to the appearance of white bloom. Also, we must not forget that hard sponges can easily scratch the delicate surface of the mineral during the cleaning process.
Decontamination
If the decoration or the stone does not look the best way, this is not a reason for panic. The thing is quite possible to clear, but how it is done depends on the complexity of the problem.
If the stone is slightly polluted, for example, it is covered with dust, it should be washed. For this, the gem is put in a container with water for 2-3 hours. If amber is part of an expensive piece of jewelry, the thing is rubbed in a slightly warmed weak solution of a delicate gel.
If the stone is sufficient, but not critically contaminated, you can use special formulations. For example, a soap solution. Baby soap or laundry soap is scraped, a small amount or 25 milliliters of liquid soap are diluted with warm water, in which amber is placed for a couple of minutes. After the procedure, the gem must be rinsed under cold water. You can also use a strong salt solution instead of soap, in this case, the exposure time in it increases to 15-20 minutes.
If the contamination is very severe, several additional methods may be required. A mixture of tooth powder and paraffin helps very well. It can be made in two ways.First, the cloth is rubbed with paraffin, and the top is powdered with powder, which is pounded. Secondly, paraffin can be grated, then mixed with tooth powder to obtain a homogeneous mass. It should be borne in mind that you can not use toothpaste, it leads to a change in the color of amber, as it clogs even the smallest cracks.
Ammonia is a great way to clean amber. It is necessary to prepare a very weak solution, literally from a few drops, and place the product for 10 minutes. After the procedure you should rinse the item with warm water.
How to clean precious frames?
Amber frames are usually made of precious metals such as silver and gold. They also require cleaning, for which special formulations are most often used. However, it is necessary to act carefully so as not to touch the stone itself. If this is difficult, you need to look for other options.
The decoration can be completely placed in a weak soap solution. Also, the product is well cleaned with glycerin, which is applied with a cotton swab. If we are talking about silver, you can buy a special cloth. Its plus is that it does not harm the frame and the stone, it can both clean and polish the decoration. This is very convenient, since the use of polishes when working with silver is prohibited.
How to shine?
The stones come into contact with the body, come into contact with the environment, and this leads to a gradual loss of their radiance. If to polish amber, it will help to return to it shine. You can remove plaque in various ways, but the procedure must always be preceded by a cleaning.
If it is a question of easy turbidity of a stone, ice will well help. It is lowered into a container with water, amber is placed there, and after a couple of hours it is removed and dried. If the gem is too muddy, it will need cleaning. You can apply shredded paraffin with tooth powder. The method is similar to that mentioned above.
In the presence of small scratches will help almond or olive oil. It should be applied moderately, rubbing very carefully. If fluid flows under the rim, dirt will accumulate more quickly in these areas. The procedure is recommended every time after cleaning products.
Storage
The more carefully amber is stored, the better will be its appearance. There are certain recommendations on how to extend the life of a stone.
It is best to keep amber jewelry separate. An excellent option would be a casket with a soft upholstery. In this quality, you can use a regular cardboard box. The bag, even if it is made of natural material, will not be able to ensure the safety of the gems, they will begin to wear out.
Stone should not be stored with other decorations. Neighborhood with products made of precious metals can also be harmed, as due to contact with them the stone can become cloudy. Not the best option is to place the box around the heaters, air conditioners or in the cold. The temperature difference is very bad for the gem, it becomes cloudy, and cracks appear on the surface. The same happens when exposed to direct sunlight for a long time.
Using
As for the use of amber jewelry, there are also some nuances. Wear them should be when the image is already formed, cosmetics and perfumes applied. Touch the stones with clean hands. When the product is removed, it should immediately be thoroughly wiped. This will save the gem from sweat, dust or cosmetics. Also, do not do household chores when wearing amber on the hostess.
Being in the open sun, in the bath and in the sauna can lead to the tarnishing of amber, therefore in these cases it is better to refuse to use it. It is necessary to handle jewelery carefully, as rough mechanical impact can cause chips and cracks.
It is believed that the stone is able to absorb negative energy, therefore, it is worth periodically getting rid of it. It will help rinsing under running water. It will be especially relevant to conduct the procedure in the final 3 days of the lunar month. The waning moon, whose light falls on amber, can also clear it.
On the methods of cleaning amber you will learn in the next video.
