Just Ask Leslie: Jewelry Tips

Dear Leslie,
Help! I can’t get my ring off. I’ve been wearing it for years and never take it off, but now it seems to be permanently stuck. What do I do?
Amy in Fort Worth

The good news is, this is not such an uncommon problem. Common causes could be pregnancy, weight gain, fingers swollen from an injury, or simply, as in your case, not having removed it in years.

First try using soap or Crisco to help slide if off. You can also try soaking your hand in hot water which might cause the metal to expand enough to do the job.

If those methods don’t work, you can go to a jeweler and have the ring cut off. It sounds worse than it is, because there are specific tools made for this that cause minimal damage to the ring, which can then be easily repaired with some simple solder work. Have them resize the ring a bit while you’re at it.

Taurus is the second sign in the Zodiac. Symbolized by a bull, Taurus is an earth sign ruled by the planet Venus.

Taureans are tactile, they enjoy the pleasures of this world; good food, physical affection, romance – the best of everything. Hard workers, Taureans are willing to put in the effort needed to get the results they want. While Taureans often have a reputation for being stubborn, they are also grounded and reliable, the kind of person you can count on.

Famous Taureans include Fred Astaire, Salvador Dali, Audrey Hepburn. and Shirley Temple.

As Taureans take great pleasure in the material, they always appreciate a good piece of jewelry like those in ice.com’s sensual or dazzling collections.

Dear Leslie,
I just got engaged. My fiancee got me a gorgeous blue diamond ring and I would like to get him something in return to show my appreciation. Any suggestions?
Simone in Jerusalem

When choosing jewelry for a man, watches or cuff-links are your best bet. Most necklaces are too casual and he’ll be getting a ring soon enough, at the wedding.

Depending on your fiance’s style, you might want to try these conservative yet elegant cuff-links in sterling silver and black granite. If he is a flashy dresser, you may want to try a more daring pair in red enamel.

If your fiancee prefers watches to cuff-links, as many men do, you have a wide variety to choose from, with the range running from sporty to elegant to a mix of the two. Almost all of the watches featured on ice.com are stainless steel and water resistant, making them quite durable. These watches don’t just look good, like diamonds, they wear well, making them a perfect engagement gift for a man.

Dear Leslie,
Can I clean my silver jewelry with toothpaste?
Emily in Sarasota

Absolutely not! Although I have heard this question before, and there are those who recommend it, in my opinion, toothpaste is not a jewelry cleaner. It may work for some costume jewels, but for real gemstones and silver, it is far too abrasive. The same chemicals that keep your teeth clean eat at your jewelry. This is especially true when we are talking about silver, which is a sensitive metal. The damage that toothpaste can cause may be so severe that only a professional jeweler will be able to fix it.

Toothpaste will also scuff the surface on amber, opal, turquoise and other soft stones resulting in the fine polish to be permanently marred.

Dear Leslie,
I am about to ask my girlfriend to marry me. I would like to get her a diamond engagement ring, but she has an offbeat sense of style. I want to get something she will wear.
Yoni in Jerusalem

I am guessing that a traditional engagement ring is out of the question, but if you still want to get her diamonds, there are rings that will please both of you, such as this fabulous blue and white diamond triple heart ring. I also came across a dazzling ring of flower-shaped diamonds, which is both eye-catching and off-beat.

As a final suggestion, why not try this blue diamond ring? It’s style is traditional engagement, but the fact that the diamond is blue rather than white makes it special.

If your girlfriend does not know her ring size, ice.com has a special ring-sizer which may be of help.

Dear Leslie,
All of my silver jewelry has tarnished! Is there anything I can do about this?
Jessica in Springfield

Indeed there is. Find a cloth of 100% cotton and a good nonabrasive metal cleaner. Rub that on the silver (avoiding gemstones as much as possible) and then rinse thoroughly. While you are cleaning it is important to remember that sterling silver is a very soft metal and must be touched gently. Even fingernails can dent this metal!

In order to prevent tarnishing in the future, I suggest that you wrap your jewelry in jeweler’s tissue paper and then store it in a tightly sealed zip lock bag.

To keep your silver looking as nice as possible, gently wipe off excess make-up and skin oils after each wearing. Use a smooth, 100% cotton cloth and gently wipe the piece clean using only the soft pads of your fingers. This will keep your silver looking as good as new.

Dear Leslie,
My wife and I are celebrating our twentieth anniversary this year, and I would like to get her jewelry that is both meaningful and beautiful. What do you suggest?
Rob in Hamilton

I would suggest a three stone ring. Three stone rings are a symbolic celebration of the past, present, and future of your relationship. The ring pictured is just one stunning example of the dazzling array available at ice.com.

Alternately, emerald is the twentieth anniversary stone. A talisman of good fortune, emerald looks wonderful in necklaces, earrings and rings. I personally would recommend one of the rings, as that is the jewelry item most associated with marriage.

Dear Leslie,
I first started dating my girlfriend last April. Since diamonds are April’s stone, I would like to get her something with diamonds for our anniversary. But not an engagement ring! We are not ready for that yet.
Dashiel in Chapel Hill

Why not try a heart-shaped pendant? They are romantic and can be found at almost any price range, from this diamond and white gold stunner to this adorable heart-shaped necklace.

If you’re really daring you can try interlocking hearts, such as the breathtaking interlocking white gold and diamond pendant seen here.

Diamonds are a girl’s best friend, but for centuries, only nobility were able to own this beautiful gem. In the 13th century, Louis IX of France established a law reserving them only for kings. This changed as new mining techniques made diamonds more available and today they are more common, though still regarded as one of the world’s most important gems.

Often the ring chosen for engagements, the diamond has long been a token of affection. The ancient Greeks believed that the fire of a diamond reflected the flame of everlasting love, and in 1477, Archduke Maximilian of Austria gave a diamond ring to his fiancee, Mary of Burgundy thus beginning the tradition of presenting the diamond as a promise of marriage

For those already married, diamonds are also popular as anniversary gifts. It is said that diamonds bring wealth, happiness and protection to their owners.

There are so many dazzling options when shopping for diamonds, like this fabulous white gold and diamond ring or these breathtaking blue and white diamond earrings.

Diamonds also look lovely on necklaces, such as this triple cluster pendant stunner, perfect for any occasion.