When to Use Baby Oil on Your Fine Jewelry – Jewelry Uses For Baby Oil
Jewelry uses for baby oil – Because I am in the antique jewelry business, I have known of the secret power of baby oil for many years. I discovered it when I had acquired a cameo that had some light crazing and needed to be remedied so the crazing wouldn’t get any worse. If you own any emeralds, cameos, or long chains, you may find this fine smelling oil just as useful as I have over the years.
1. Re-oil Flaws in Emerald Jewelry
Emeralds by nature have a lot of “flaws” and cleavages that make the stone susceptible to cracking and pitting. Most emeralds are oiled or fracture filled in some way. When you see a tiny bit on the surface of your emerald, these are just dried out flaws that have reached the surface. If you notice one of these very tiny pinprick holes on the surface of your emerald, you can remedy it with a little baby oil according to EmeraldsandJewelry website. Here’s what you do:
- Take the tip of a toothpick and get a small drop of baby oil on it. Be careful not to use too much.
- Drop the small amount of baby oil into the tiny pit that you have found.
- Let the oil soak into the flaw for five minutes. Be cautious not to let the oil get all over the stone.
- Pat the oil off with a napkin or lint-free cloth. Be sure not to rub the oil into the surface of the stone.
2. Prevent Cameos from Drying Out
Most cameos that are considered fine jewelry are carved out of a shell. Over time this shell will dry out and begin to craze and crack. Sometimes the cracking can become such a problem that the entire cameo falls apart. One preventive measure that should be taken regardless of whether you notice any cracking on your cameo is to oil it. This oiling should be done a few times a year with either baby oil or mineral oil. Here’s what you do:
- Saturate the tip of a cotton swab with oil.
- Gently rub on the oil to both sides of the cameo, being sure not to get any on the setting itself.
- Take special care around any crazing or cracking not to push too hard.
- Let the oil sit overnight. It will eventually saturate into the cameo over time. Do not wash or pat off any of this oil or the moisturizing will be ineffective.
Other Cameo Care Tips:
- NEVER submerge your cameo in a liquid of any kind such as water or jewelry cleaner for longer than 20 seconds.
- Be sure to use a cleaner that specifically says it is safe for pearls.
- Be gentle when cleaning and caring for your cameos!
3. Untangle Chains
There is nothing worse than a stubborn knot in your favorite chain. Okay, there is something worse: when all of your chains are knotted into a huge ball at the bottom of your jewelry drawer. I’ve been there one too many times. Start small by slowly working the clumped up mess apart. When you have gotten down to solo knots, take a small dab of baby oil and drop it to the center of the knot. Massage the oil into the knot then slowly start to pull apart, using a pinhead if necessary. The oil will lubricate the chain, making it easier to slide apart.
Succeeded in untangling your knot, but now need to clean your chain? Try this homemade jewelry cleaner.
Is this method not working to help you untangle a stubborn knot? Try this one instead.