Crystal Jewelry DIY

Author: Zhang Jing
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-06-01
Features: The role of crystals, identification, selection, daily care, varieties, and DIY methods. This book tells you all the above content in a form of illustrations and text, using easy-to-understand language. Want to learn more about crystal knowledge? For example, the role of crystals, crystal identification, crystal selection, and daily care. Want to get to know more members of the crystal family? Want to try making crystal accessories yourself? If you have a positive answer to these questions, then this book is perfect for you. Crystal accessories and decorative items are shiny, translucent, and exquisite, making them fashionable items that adorn modern life and enhance living standards. As crystals become increasingly loved, worn, and collected, how to care for them has become a concern for many people. Here are some methods for maintaining crystal collections for your reference.
Crystals are brittle, so be careful to avoid heavy pressure, drops, high temperatures, strong alkalis, or strong acids. When moving crystals, it's best to wear soft cotton gloves to prevent fingerprints from staining the collection. When lifting crystal items, don’t grab the top or outer edges of the decorative pieces; instead, hold the base or the entire body. If you notice dust on your crystal collection, never use a feather duster. Instead, gently away the dust with a soft, non-fluffy cloth. Avoid scrubbing too hard, as this could scratch the crystal.
To keep crystal wine glasses crystal clear, they need to be cleaned frequently. When cleaning, don’t suddenly immerse them in hot or cold water. Don’t stack finished flat-bottomed crystal glasses together to avoid breakage under pressure. When washing crystal wine glasses, neither machine washing nor using cleaning cloths is recommended. Hand washing is the best method. Be careful not to hold the handles of the wine glasses on page 15 too tightly or while cleaning, as the stems can easily break under force.
If there are oil stains or fingerprints on the crystal, you can wash them with lukewarm soapy water and then rinse thoroughly. Avoid repeated washing with hot water or cleaning agents. For cut crystal decorations, you can gently clean the cut parts with a soft brush. If there are stubborn stains that don’t come off, you can cut a lemon, rub some salt on it, and gently clean the crystal. Alternatively, you can use a few drops of salted vinegar to wipe it.
It’s best to store crystal collections in a sealed glass cabinet or display case to reduce the chance of dust accumulating on the surface and minimize human contact, which can cause damage. Don’t place the items too close together, as otherwise, if one piece is knocked over, the others may also fall due to a domino effect. Ensure the cabinet is stable and not easily moved. Place the crystals near a mirror to let the light refract onto their surfaces. Avoid placing crystals under paintings or other objects, such as curtains that might sway and knock over the decorative pieces.
If you need to store crystal collections for a long time, don’t use foam tape or plastic bags. These types of packaging can increase temperature and damage the crystals. At the same time, never store crystals in attics or basements to avoid exposing them to harsh environments. Familiarize yourself with the mineralogical properties of different crystals and their corresponding taboos, such as which crystals should avoid strong light exposure or which ones shouldn’t be immersed in saltwater, etc. P16