I worked in a jewelry store for several years and the sonic cleaner was great. Happyladi was right, you shouldn't put pearls in a sonic cleaner, and not opals either. But it works great on just about everything else. Be sure and double check the instructions for other restrictions, but I remember using a sonic cleaner all the time for great results. One of my favortie things to do at the jewelry store was to clean people's jewelry. Everyone was so happy when they got their clean jewelry back. Wedding bands were the best - I'd buff them and then clean them in the sonic and could make a ten year old gold band look brand new. And I got to do it for free. :) A sonic cleaner shouldn't affect settings. If a setting is already quite loose, then maybe it would shake the stone out, but if the stone is actually that loose, better it come out in a cleaner where the stone can be found. I've never bought off HSN, and I'm suspicious of buying things I haven't seen. If I were you, I'd go to a professional jewelry store and see what they recommend or sell. If you end up getting a sonic cleaner, I think you'll be glad you did.

I think I got it at Target, look at Walmart or Target to buy the refills. I bought two of the big bottles a while ago, I really don't remember how much it was, but it is cheaper than buying the spray bottles over and over again. It is the best stuff, better than any other we have tried.

Thanks so much for all your great suggestions. Woodchuck, I LOVE the one you made for your daughter!!!! The inside is exactly what I am wanting to make for myself! If I can get my DH to help me, I'm going to do the same thing, but with a mirror instead of a picture . . . I think. Can you tell me what you used to mount the hooks with? It looks like pieces of molding with individual hooks screwed in to it. Were they special hooks? Your picture idea is very smart, as it would probably be overlooked by a burglar. Great idea! Thank you so much for posting those pics for me! JGTBM: love that idea of using a piano bench and cutting off the legs. My only worry would be the weight of it, but I'm going to keep it in mind and check out one to weigh today in town. Thank you to all for the wonderful links and pics. Lynn

Is the 'silver' in your mixed pieces actually 925 Sterling or is it white gold? If it's a yurman-esque silver and gold plating, I'd spot test the tarnex on the inside or back of the plating before I'd dunk. The directions say to specifically avoid using on: stainless, chrome, pewter, brass, zinc, artificially oxidized silver ( ie black rhodium plating or liver of sulfer) and porous stones- including pearls, opals, amber, coral, etc. Faceted gemstones should be fine- I cleaned a silver and sapphire pendant last week with no ill results. But if the piece is actually mixed gold colors and not sterling, it won't hurt it but it probably also won't fix what your are trying to clean. Gold doesn't patina the same way that silver does, or from the same substances, so it may need a good soak in an ultrasonic, followed by a steam, and then possibly an actual re polishing to get rid of scratches. We never charge for cleaning, but some do, so ask first at your local jeweler. Always rinse throughly after cleaning; many of the metal reactions we see go away after a good cleaning and rinsing- it's actually residues and dirt trapped against your skin causing the reaction, especially if it's a nickel free metal. And it's very possible the fireplace is part of your newfound tarnishing! Is there more sulfer in your water in the new place? That's a terrible culprit. Plus any off gassing from new paint, refinished floors can contribute. We learned the hard way that re-oiling our walnut cases ( linseed oil) was a straight shot to a week of re polishing, haha!