FEATURE/JCPenney: Light Up Her Life Just Right For Mother's Day -- By Chari Bierlein.

Feature Editors

FEATURE...

PLANO, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 21, 2003

Imagine jewels, candles, flowers. It's time to shower mom with the perfect gifts and pamper her in all the right ways. JCPenney offers you eight easy tips for her two favorite gifts - jewelry and

Jewelry

Tip #1: Careful With Chlorine

Adorn her with jewels, but don't let her be careless with them. Make sure she doesn't wear jewelry in the swimming pool, hot tub or while doing household chores that involves chlorine. This product is very harmful to gold and silver and can permanently damage or discolor her jewelry.

Tip #2: Have It Properly Examined

Jewelry is for a lifetime. Make sure hers is intact by having it professionally examined every 6 months for loose prongs, worn-out mountings and general wear and tear.

Tip #3: Clean It Properly

Remember to clean your jewelry often by a professional or use cleaners approved for jewelry. Be aware of ultrasonic cleaners, which although are quick and convenient, they can cause damage to some jewelry. In fact, many colored stones and pearls can be permanently damaged. So, when in doubt, leave it out.

Tip #4: Store Safely

It's easy to misplace an earring or necklace. Remember to store it in a clean, dry place. It's not a good idea to jumble your jewelry together, as gemstones and metal can be scratched by other pieces of jewelry.

(a)Candles

Tip #1: Before You Light, Trim It Right

Before lighting your candle, be sure to trim the wick 1/4 of an inch in height to prevent uneven burning and dripping.

Tip #2: Remember To Blow-Out Candles

Although it is a lovely sight, remember to not leave candles unattended, as the open flame may be a potential fire hazard. So be sure to extinguish all candles when leaving the room or before going to sleep.

Tip #3: Keep In Safe Spot

Keep burning candles away from drafts, vents and air currents. This will help prevent rapid, uneven burning, smoking and excessive dripping. Also, remember to keep candles out of reach of children and pets.

Tip #4: Watch For Flickering

Be sure to notice when the candle starts to soot, which may be caused by candle flickering. This may leave unwanted residue on surrounding areas, including ceilings.

(a) You can obtain more information about candle safety from the National Candle Association http://www.candles.org/ and the U.S. Consumer Safety Commission http://www.cpsc.gov/.

Chari Bierlein is the Managing Engineer of Jewelry at the JCPenney Product Research and Technology Laboratories. With over 25 years of experience, Chari has consistently researched and tested for high quality assurance safety products.