I admit I didn't know anything about Cross-stitch until I first came across this well written and informative book.  I still don't!  But I can tell you that this book would undoubtedly be of interest to most cross-stitch enthusiasts!  Why?  Because it has a lot of instructions, charts and fabulous color illustration and photographs of the wide variety of designs included by the author, a renowned English author, Carol Phillipson.

Rosemoon Mystery Company is currently offering two books by Ms Phillipson on auctions.  This one and a similar book about Cross-stitch Designs from India.

I highly recommend craft books from England - or the UK as some like to call the country.  They take their crafts very seriously - and their workmanship is sometimes outrageously precise and imaginative.  The designs in these books however are taken from the country of the title and are on the traditional side.  take a look at these and our other auction.  Here's a link to our store, Rosemoon Mystery Company

http://stores.ebay.com/Rosemoon-Mystery-Company.  If the link isn't active just copy and paste it in your address bar.  We just might have other things that will interest you.  Come on by!  You can also contact me by email at rosie@rosemoon.biz.  Thanks for your time and attention.  Rosie

Our latest creation is a fabulous dark blue 100% natural Ceylon Sapphire, set in a high domed Sterling Silver filigree setting made here in the USA by a Calif. artisan.  There just happens to be a 33" long 3 strand beaded vintage necklace that would compliment it perfectly!  Have a look!  It's a size 7.25, a versatile size that ought to fit at least one of your fingers!

Bavarian china and crystal is world renowned for excellence.  This set, which is 12 place settings and serving pieces of Chalfonte pattern Indian Summer is seldom seen offered for sale.  Some China replacement companies offer this pattern, and if you look it up you will find how valuable it is!

The multi colored autumn leaves are unusually delicate and neutral, including gold, orange, green and burgundy.  The edges are hand painted with carat gold. 

Each place setting includes 7 pieces and the serving dishes include sugar and creamer, coffee post, gray or sauce boat and dish, a round covered casserole, 2 oval platters, small candle holders for tapers and 8 little individual ash trays. 

Originally made in Czechoslovakia, my family's homeland, this porcelain china was sold direct to the public in the 1950's.  It was not sold in stores, which made it more affordable for a bride's dowry, or 'hope chest'.  I also have heavy, hand cut leaded Bavarian crystal, Capri pattern, service for 12, with 4 glasses per setting.  The lovely champagne stemware is fabulous for serving elegant deserts.  The Capri pattern is also listed with some china replacement companies if you would like to take a look and let me know if you're interested.

CARING FOR YOUR JEWELRY

Taking care of your jewelry is important.  When you have something you like, you want it to last.  That includes proper storage while not in use.  Most of our jewelry includes some metal.  Plated metal is a different category than solid, hallmarked metal.  It will be talked about under the heading of Costume Jewelry.  We'll begin here with the most common precious, or fine metals in jewelry today.

Exposure to air is what causes metal to oxidize - to tarnish - to change color - to loose brightness and shine.  You can control the effects of oxidation by storing your jewelry in air tight containers, or tarnish inhibiting containers.  (*See Note Below). 

We all know silver tarnishes, but do you know that gold tarnishes also?  Gold becomes darker, not only from the oxygen in the air, but from the oils in our skin and the cosmetic products we use.  Perfume is probably the worst cause of discoloration of gold.   Have you ever used a jewelers' polishing cloth?  On gold?  It leaves a black mark on the cloth just like silver does.   It just doesn't oxidize as quickly.

Platinum changes very little in comparison to gold.  It takes a trained eye to recognize a change in color in platinum;  the difference between clean, newly polished platinum and that which has been exposed to the elements.  Another factor that adds to the value, the price, of platinum.

Stainless steel, which isn't really stainless, and Titanium have been gaining in popularity in the ring market, particularly wedding bands.  There are always those adventurous individuals who want something different, something unique, and although stainless steel and Titanium have been around for a long time, it has only recently been used creatively in jewelry making.  I honestly don't know if there are ever reasons, besides scratching, to polish these rings.

All jewelry metals clean well in an ultrasonic (vibrating) bath.  Surface residue, including dried on lotion, cream, soap and grease are quickly and easily loosened and literally shaken off.  Although this method is harmless to metal it could be damaging to the gems, pearls, beads, threads, rubber, plastic or base and plated metals.  Always refer to an instruction manual accompanying the device before placing your jewelry in an ultrasonic machine, or ask a jeweler!  To satisfy your curiosity I will tell you now that you don't ever want to immerse pearls, emeralds or opals in an ultrasonic - OR - any harsh, tarnish removing chemicals.  Ultrasonic cleansing involves vibration, heat and a cleansing solution, basically a surfactant - a kind of soap.  If you are in doubt, don't do it!

Since it is my intention to give you a brief overview of jewelry care I will move on to polishing.  There will be more in depth information available in subsequent articles (blogs)

The easiest method of polishing is to use a jeweler's cloth, available in some jewelry stores, department stores, drug stores, bead shops and - you guessed it!  On eBay!

I recommend you have one for silver and one for gold.  These metals can adhere to one another under some conditions.  After you have cleaned, rinsed and dried your jewelry and gentle rub with a cloth will deposit a small amount of polish, enough to protect and shine it.  You don't need to rub fast, hard or in any particular direction.  A gentle circular motion is good when possible.  By varying the directions of movement you get a nice even finish.  Check what's happening as you polish, making sure you are removing scratches - not adding to them!

Once satisfied with the results of your polishing give the article a rinse, blot off excess moisture, or shake it off, and then let it air dry or a soft absorbent surface.  Your jewelry is now ready to wear, or for storing.

When putting your jewelry away take care not to toss and shuffle your jewelry together.  Each piece has the potential to scratch another.  If you like using a dish, or box to hold the things you will soon be wearing again then place things carefully.  Plastic Ziploc bags are available in many sized and are a very effective way to separate and protect your jewelry.  They have the advantage of transparency, making it easy to see.  Boxes are good, but not if you need a lot of them.  Soft pouches are good if you are going to keep them in a box or drawer, but they are not airtight, like the plastic, and are subject to heat and moisture in the air - both of which encourage tarnishing.

Personally I have always enjoyed displaying my jewelry, on racks, shelves, hooks etc.  I like to see everything I can choose from and I like the decorative effect in my dressing area.  But trust me, you really have to have the time and the patience, as well as the expertise in cleaning and polishing if you choose this method of "storage"!

Items such as strands of beads, chains and earrings accumulate dust, pollution, grease and airborne residue from smoking.  The cord your beads are strung on is more than likely absorbent, to one degree or another.  Frequent washing breaks down the fibers, and not washing can lead to deterioration from pollutants.  Clearly you are the one who has to decide, on a piece by piece basis, how you want to care for your investments.  Jewelry IS an investment, and not only Fine Jewelry.  There are some very commanding prices on vintage costume jewelry right here on eBay!

And a word of caution about Wearing your jewelry!  Consider what you are going to be doing while wearing your jewelry.  Are you going to be doing any housework, repairing, lifting heavy objects, playing sports, using chemicals.  Will you be relaxing, dining, shopping, taking care of children?  each of these activities places limitations on the suitability of a piece of jewelry.  You don't want to wear hoops or a fine chain around your neck while carrying a child.  You don't want to wear brooches, anything sharp, or that dangles either!

Remember, gems can get scratched - some more easily than others.  Metals get scratched and everything is vulnerable to temperature, chemicals and pressure.  Lately I've seen that the term "Cocktail Ring" has been revived.  They are called cocktail rings because wearing them at any other time than just standing around drinking and talking is not recommended, because they are often delicate, ornate and large - easy targets for bumps, bangs and scrapes.  These rings are also differentiated because they are even potentially dangerous if worn during activities such as dancing, when you might injure someone else, as well as yourself with a large or sharp edged ring, bracelet, pendant. brooch or cuff link!

Taking care of your jewelry includes:

   1.  Storage

   2.  Cleaning

   3.  Polishing

   4.  Awareness While Wearing

   5.  Inspecting for Damage

Let's start with Inspecting for Damage.  Moving metal parts causes most metal to rub away.  The softer the metal, the more easily it wears off.  Of the precious metals used in jewelry making, pure silver is the softest, then sterling, then the higher carat gold alloys, on down to 14kt and 10 kt gold.  Because of the metal alloys used in white gold it is slightly harder than yellow.  Platinum, though physically more malleable is more dense.  One of the selling points for platinum is that it doesn't wear away like gold and silver.  It is the metal of choice for setting diamonds because of it's strength and durability.

When looking for damage examine the prongs, the clasps and jump rings.  Unsoldered jump rings need to be examined more frequently because they are apt to get pulled on and twisted  when worn. 

Beads strung on cord, silk or elastic are bound to fray, especially next to a clasp.  Elastic looses it's stretch after repeated use.  The movement of beads and charms causes fraying.  Exposure to soap and water, cosmetics and heat may adversely effect your jewelry so I recommend always removing it before doing chores, especially using chemicals.  Keep a pretty little dish by the faucet in your kitchen and bathroom specifically for this purpose so you won't have to wonder where you put your jewelry!

The last thing I will recommend is that you store your jewelry in airtight boxes, bags or pouches, taking care to separate the fragile little things from the big items that could damage them.  Anything on a chain should be kept separate to prevent tangling and kinking.  It may be advisable to remove a pendant from a chain if the chain is fragile and the pendant is heavy.  '

Specially treated plastic bags and cloth can also be purchased to line your own jewelry box or to store those items - like sterling silver, that oxidize quickly when exposed to air.

Jewelry is meant to be worn, enjoyed and shared.  Since it is often used to commemorate a particular occasion the sentimental value alone is good reason to take proper care of it so you can pass it on and allow someone else to have the pleasure of wearing it.

I hope  you will feel free to write to me if you have any questions.  Sometimes while writing general, or generic instructions I may leave out a step that I've carried out so often it doesn't come to mind while I'm writing, so if you come across any discrepancies, please let me know. 

Since jewelry is usually constructed with a combination of materials the best way to take care of it is not always obvious.  You can email me at rosie@rosemoon.biz, any time with questions about your own particular piece.

Thank you for your interest and time.

Rosemoon