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February is here, and with it comes the gemstone of the month: Amethyst. This stunning purple gemstone is a popular choice for jewelry, and it's easy to see why. With its rich color and unique beauty, Amethyst is a versatile gemstone that can be used in a variety of jewelry pieces, from necklaces and earrings to rings and bracelets.

Amethyst is a member of the quartz family and is known for its vibrant purple color, which can range from a pale lilac to a deep, almost burgundy shade. The color is caused by the presence of iron and other trace elements in the crystal structure of the gemstone.

One of the reasons that Amethyst is so popular is because it is readily available and relatively affordable compared to other gemstones, making it an excellent choice for jewelry that is both beautiful and budget-friendly. Whether you're looking for a special gift or just want to treat yourself, Amethyst jewelry is the perfect choice.

In addition to its stunning beauty, Amethyst is also said to have spiritual and healing properties. It is believed to help with spiritual awareness and can be used to calm the mind and relieve stress. Some people even believe that Amethyst can help with addictions, including alcohol and drug abuse, by promoting inner strength and a sense of peace.

If you're looking to add some Amethyst to your jewelry collection, stop by our store this month and check out our selection of Amethyst pieces. Whether you're looking for a simple pair of earrings or a more elaborate necklace, we have something for everyone. Plus, with our knowledgeable staff, you can be sure that you're getting the best quality Amethyst jewelry available.

So, whether you're drawn to the beauty of Amethyst or its spiritual properties, there's no denying that this stunning gemstone is the perfect choice for your next jewelry purchase. Come by our store today and see what we have in store for you!

At Prairie Jewelers, we believe that the process of choosing an engagement ring should be a special and enjoyable experience. That's why we offer a wide selection of high-quality engagement rings, and we also specialize in creating custom engagement rings that are truly one of a kind.

Designing a custom engagement ring is a unique and personal experience. It allows you to create a ring that is truly reflective of your love and commitment to your partner. When you work with us to create a custom engagement ring, you'll have the opportunity to be involved in every step of the process, from choosing the perfect diamond or gemstone to selecting the setting and the finishing touches.

One of the things that sets us apart at Prairie Jewelers is our expertise in the ancient lost art of wax casting. This technique allows us to create intricate and detailed designs that would be impossible to achieve with traditional methods. When you choose to create a custom engagement ring with us, you'll have the opportunity to watch as your ring is carefully crafted by hand, using this unique and beautiful technique.

In addition to our expertise in custom design and wax casting, we also offer a wide selection of fine gems, unusual cuts, and more than 12 birthstones to choose from. This means that you'll have a vast array of options to choose from when designing your custom engagement ring.

Whether you're looking for a traditional diamond solitaire, a unique and colorful gemstone ring, or something entirely different, we're confident that we can help you create the perfect engagement ring. And, because all of our work is done on-site by our experienced jewelers, you can trust that your ring will be of the highest quality and craftsmanship.

If you're interested in creating a custom engagement ring, we invite you to visit us at Prairie Jewelers. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff will be happy to assist you and guide you through the process of designing and creating the perfect ring to symbolize your love and commitment. We look forward to helping you create a ring that you and your partner will cherish for a lifetime.

We are very pleased to announce, with the help of all of you, Prairie Jewelers has won the title of Best Jewelry Store in the Best of Sun Prairie 2022 contest. 

We weren’t expecting to win; but we did and we have you, our customers, to thank for it.

When we heard we were nominated we didn’t expect it to go anywhere — after all, when you stay small and local, winning an award like this is a bit like being nominated for a Tony Award the same year Hamilton came out.

We may be young, scrappy and hungry but we’re not throwing away our shot.

Thank you for your continued support! We could not have done it without you.

-Art and Mike

So, you’ve put off cleaning your jewelry long enough and you have some extra time to do it this weekend. After time lotions, soaps, and dirt can clog your jewelry settings and dull the chains, stones, and pearls. Even your most beloved items that stay in the jewelry box can accumulate dust. 

If your favorite bracelets, rings, and necklaces need some polishing, you can clean them at home instead of dropping them off to us at Prairie Jewelers. (unless you want us to of course!) 

We have obviously cleaned thousands of pieces of Jewelry over the years, but we got some help from one of our favorite house cleaning services in Madison to bring you some green cleaning solutions to ensure you won’t damage anything. 

Mild Dish Soap 

As many of you already know, dish soap can be a great eco-friendly option. Mild dish soap is a good cleaner for jewelry, including diamonds, silver, and pearls. While any dish soap will do, an eco-friendly brand that is free of chemicals is best. Sometimes those chemicals like ammonia can harm the finish on your jewelry. 

For silver, Gold & Platinum - Mix dish soap with warm water. After that simply dampen a soft cloth in the solution and rub your jewelry with it. Once you are satisfied, rinse the jewelry with cold water. 

Diamond Jewelry - Using the same mixture of dish soap and water we can take care of the bacteria, dirt, or hand lotion can easily get trapped in the tiny gaps and grooves in the diamonds and setting over time. You will need a soft bristled brush to get into those hard to reach areas. 

Pearls - Pearls are a little more sensitive and you want to make sure you don’t scratch them. However, you can safely use this mixture of dish soap and water and place the pearls in the bowl for 10 seconds. After you can pull them out and dry them with a clean cloth and leave them laid out to dry. Finally you can place them back in a cotton back when you are finished. 

Soap and Seltzer Water 

Don’t gemstones have a beautiful sparkle? Well, it might be easier than you think to restore that sparkle to your precious stones like rubies, diamonds, emeralds, and sapphires. You can use the same instructions listed above for cleaning gemstones set in silver, gold, or platinum. Instead of using regular water, however, mix the soap with seltzer water instead. The carbonation loosens dirt and helps to dislodge any debris trapped in the metal settings and on the gem’s facets. 

You can brush the stones and settings gently with a soft toothbrush. To rinse, dip in clear water or place your pieces in a strainer and rinse under the tap. All that’s left to do now is to buff your jewelry dry and enjoy that new looking sparkle! 

Boiled Water Method for Diamond Rings 

Boiling water is another method for cleaning diamond and gemstone rings without the need of chemicals. 

-Boil your water in a pot. 

-Place your ring into a separate bowl. (Pour enough boiled water into the bowl to cover the piece.) - Wait for the water to cool to room temperature. 

After the water cools, remove your ring and gently scrub away dirt with a cloth or a soft-bristled brush. Make sure you scrub from multiple angles to ensure you get all the dirt trapped in hard to reach areas. 

Finally, rinse the ring in cold water and pat dry. Please note: this method is not recommended for costume jewelry. The intense heat can loosen any glue, so keep that in mind before using this method. 

Baking Soda 

Baking soda can be a great natural and effective way to remove tarnish from silver. Mix three parts baking soda with one part water. Baking soda is a commonly used eco-friendly cleaner. While you can use it to clean many areas in your home, it works great on silver jewelry. It deep cleans silver and other metals to remove tarnish and bring back that shine.

Wet your silver and apply the baking soda paste with a soft, lint-free cloth. Work the paste into the crevices. Turn the cloth as you pick up the tarnish. Rinse well and then buff dry. For gold, sprinkle some baking soda on the piece. Gently rub with a soft cloth for a few minutes. Then, rinse. 

For cleaning diamond jewelry, place your pieces in a cup of hot water and add a teaspoon of baking soda to the water. Leave it for a few minutes, then remove the jewelry and dry with a cloth. 

Vinegar 

Another non-toxic cleaner is vinegar. This is a very common green cleaning product around your home, but it can also be used to make silver and gold jewelry look new again. 

To clean gold, pour some vinegar in a bowl and then place your gold jewelry in it. Let it soak for 20 minutes or so, then remove the jewelry and spot clean as necessary with a soft-bristled brush. Be careful not to let it sit longer than 20 minutes because it can damage the metal. Rinse your gold afterward with room temperature water and dry with a cloth. 

If you have silver jewelry that needs extra cleaning, dampen a cloth with a vinegar and baking soda mix. Rub it in the jewelry, rinse, and then dry with a cloth. Please Note: Never use vinegar on gemstones or pearls. Due to the acidic nature of the vinegar, it can damage them. 

Easy Cleaning, No Harsh Chemicals 

Now, you never need to be scared to clean your jewelry again. You can keep your jewelry looking great all by yourself using eco-friendly cleaning products to ensure you won’t damage anything.