Q: On the back of my earrings (sterling silver studds) that I think are 'butterfly backs' (the ones with two circles) it has a number written on the back that's quite small.
It says 825.
What does this mean?

A: its a manufacture code. that means it wasnt made by some bum in his basement or inexpensively in chine by the same people who make diapers =] now if it was along the lines of 10, 14, or 24 it would be the value of it in karots, but its not, so just a code for the maker.

Q: I have a pair of sterling silver earrings that are very delicate and have a very intricate design, making it difficult to put a sterling silver cleaning cloth to them when they tarnish. Is there another way to clean them? A soap type product that I can just soak them in or something?

A: There are dip cleaners that are fantastic, but they will clean out ALL the tarnish, I rather like having details picked out in the dark but if you want REALLY clean and shiny...

You just make a loop of fishing line, suspend the earrings on it and it takes about a minute. The one I have is called Goddards...I got it either at the hardware store or the drug store. It has a picture of a fork on it so I guess it's made for cleaning silverware.