To clean your gold and silver jewellery, put a few drops of washing-up liquid in a small jar and add one tablespoon of ammonia (available easily at any local pharmacy). Fill up two-fifths of the jar with water, put your jewellery in the mixture and screw the lid on the jar. Shake a little and take out your the jewellery. Rinse and dry.

The biggest trouble with gold plated jewellery is that they discolour very fast. To avoid this apply a coat of colourless nail polish over the jewellery. Not only will the gold plating last longer, but the enamel will create an effect that will make your jewellery shine like real ones.

Silver jewellery generally tends to turn black as it gets oxidised. To make this as good as new, take one teacup of vinegar in a jar with two tablespoons of soda bicarbonate. Put the jewellery in the jar, screw on the lid and shake a little. Leave it to rest for an hour - more if the jewellery is very dirty. Rinse and dry well.