Sometimes, all a stubborn bauble needs is a minor makeover.Whether it’s a retrofitting converter, a smooth-operating fastener, or a protector to save your skin, you’ll be glad you packed these practical necessities in your travel case — just in case.

f you have ever been caught attending a

competition, performance or modeling

job, or social function with an ill-fitting ring or a hard-to-fasten bracelet and wished for a practical and quick fix, look no further. When it comes to wearing jewelry with confidence and comfort, your wish has been granted with these mission-specific addons. Though some jewelry accessories are hard to find, they are worth tracking down and packing up in your travel carrying case, because one day you might need one to make your bling fit better and last long enough to get you through one more interview, shooting assignment, or social season. Ranging from earring backs and cushions for clip earrings to ring resizers and spray-on jewelry cleaner, these small items can be

a

big lifesavers. Here are the ones I consider to be must-have items:

PURPOSE: To Make Jewelry Fit Better

Adjustable Necklace Extender: Add 3-¹⁄2 to 6 inches to any necklace instantly by attaching to the necklace and then pulling the end rings or connectors. Suggested retail: $6.00 – $10.00

Converters: Converts pierced earrings to clip by inserting post of the earring into the Converter and bending gently at a right angle. Available silver and gold. Suggested retail: $4.00

Diskies 2: These specially designed earring backs for post earrings have a patented locking mechanism and a flange for additional earlobe support while wearing heavy earrings.

Suggested retail: $4.00

Magneti-Clasp: Easily converts necklace and bracelet clasps to magnetic clasps quickly and without the need to use any additional tools. Available in silver and gold. Suggested retail: $4.00

Hook Ups: Small, soft, and flexible plastic earring backs for use on wire hook or French wire earrings to prevent the wire from slipping out of the ear. Six pairs per pack. Suggested retail: $4.00

Ring Sizers: Surgical grade plastic ring sizers are designed to fit over the shank of a ring to prevent loose rings from slipping. Four pieces per pack. Suggested retail: $4.00

PURPOSE: To Make Jewelry Last Longer

Anti-Tarnish Squares: These 10 one-inch square pieces of specially formulated paper absorb natural tarnish-causing airborne pollutants, keeping your jewelry clean and tar-nish-free. Ideal for use in jewelry boxes, travel cases, silver trays, etc. A medium-size jewelry box needs one square to keep its contents looking like new. Suggested retail: $4.00

Buff & Polish Cloth: Made of 100 percent cotton, this specially treated cloth instantly gives a long-lasting mirror-like shine to all costume jewelry, gold, platinum, and even sterling silver. It also contains Ag 4, a unique tarnish-preventing agent. Suggested retail: $5.00

Jewelry Cleaner: This two-ounce spray-on jewelry cleaner works like magic on all costume jewelry, diamonds, gold, silver, copper, and brass. Suggested retail: $5.00

PURPOSE: To Make Life More Enjoyable

Baby Backs: Small rubber post earring backs designed to cover the sharp ends of the earring post to prevent sticking when using the phone or sleeping. Six pairs per pack. Suggested retail: $4.00

Clip Slips: Soft, flexible cushions designed to slide onto the clip portion of a clip earring to relieve the pressure from pinching and to prevent metal from touching skin. Suggested retail: $4.00

Clip-n-Zip: This is a fastening device that helps you get dressed with ease. It can be used as a bracelet fastener, zipper pull, or button hook. Suggested retail: $20.00

Go Betweens: Peel off adhesive pads for use on the base and paddle of clip earrings to prevent discomfort from pinching or from metal sensitivity while wearing clip earrings. Six round dots and four paddles. Suggested retail: $4.00

JEWELRY Continued on page 137

CLEAN, PROTECT, AND BEND: The items shown here can save the day if you need to: A. quickly fasten a dress; B. banish tarnish; or (opposite)

C. stop metal-causing skin irritation; D. perfect a clip-on earring’s fit, and

E. make a necklace grow.PHOTOS COURTESY OF SASSY SOUTH, LTD.

b

d c

e

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