Whether you have a little collection of costume jewelry or a large collection of fine jewelry, learning how to care about your valuables is important. Taking excellent care of your jewelry, from correct storage to gentle cleaning, will help you get the most out of your collection.
The costume and fine jewelry are made of different materials and have distinct values, many of the same laws apply to both. Here are 10 tips for keeping your jewelry in good condition:
- Recognize when it’s OK to take off your jewelry
You can use any materials for your jewelry, but still, it will remain fragile. When working with your hands or doing tasks that entail chemicals or abrasives, you should always remove your jewelry. Avoid jewelry during:
- Swimming in chlorine-treated water is a good idea.
- Organizing your house.
- During garden work.
- Participating in any sports (particularly contact).
- Put jewelry after getting ready
It is preferable to put on your diamonds just when you are entirely ready. Make-up, hair products, and perfume may all cause harm to your jewelry, whether it’s diamonds or rhinestones. Jewelry should be the finishing touch for perfect matching.
- Wearing lotion with jewelry is not a good idea
Although hand and body lotion will not harm most fine bracelet jewelry, it will deteriorate the shine of costume items. Furthermore, the accumulation of lotion products may necessitate more regular cleaning of your expensive objects. After you’ve taken off your jewelry at night, apply lotion to your hands or body.
- Separate your pieces and store them separately
Regardless of how careful you are when wearing your jewelry, it might be damaged while being stored. This is frequently caused by components colliding or becoming knotted. Pearls, wood, plastic, valuable metals, and various gemstones are among the most susceptible materials. The simplest method to handle this problem is to keep your belongings in such a manner that they do not touch each other.
Consider the following jewelry storing suggestions:
- For your most prized possessions, individual jewelry cases are available.
- Precious or historic things should be kept in separate cloth pouches.
- Necklaces and earrings are displayed on a jewelry tree.
- Silver jewelry bags that are tarnish resistant.
- Bring a Jewelry Case When Traveling
Regular storage is necessary, but trip storage is much more so. Putting your valuables in a toiletry bag or luggage may be quite damaging. You can find exclusive jewelry rollers and boxes for keeping your valuables tangle-free and safe during travel.
- Keep an eye regularly on your jewelry
It’s normal that the jewelry becomes damaged and dirty as you use them. Take a careful look at a set of bracelet or a necklace before you put them on. Then you can figure out which components need to be cleaned or repaired.
- Before cleaning, learn about your pieces
Before you attempt to clean any of your jewelry, it’s critical that you understand the materials that were utilized to create your jewels. Cleaning diamonds, zirconia rings, and pearl jewelry, for example, requires quite different techniques. Certain forms of costume jewelry should never be soaked in water, whereas sterling silver necklaces can be restored using mild polishes.
Examine your jewelry to learn more about the materials it’s made of. On the back or inside of a piece, you’ll often notice a stamp that indicates the metal composition. When you buy new jewelry, make a note of the stones or other materials.
- Put together a jewelry-care kit
It’s convenient to have all your jewelry cleaning and repair supplies in one location so you can clean and repair your pieces without having to look for the equipment and materials you need. A little plastic storage container may be used to make a simple jewelry maintenance kit. Here you go.
- For sterling silver bracelet or silver-plated goods, use a gentle, jewelry-safe silver polish.
- Brush with a soft bristle for going into crevices.
- Q-tips are useful for polishing hard-to-reach areas.
- Diamonds, precious metals, and select stones can all be cleaned with commercial jewelry cleaners.
- Glue for reattaching jewels to costume jewelry that isn’t too pricey.
- For polishing and drying, use a soft chamois cloth.
- For hard jewels and metals, use rubbing alcohol.
- Allow enough time for your jewelry to dry completely
If you clean your jewelry, it may appear that patting it dry with a chamois and storing it is adequate. Small quantities of moisture left over the following cleaning, on the other hand, can ruin your collection. For evaporating the moisture after cleaning your jewelry, you need to wait for a while before putting it to the jewelry box.
- Professional help is important
Most individuals can clean and do simple repairs at home. Need professional services if the items have:
- Deep scratches on your item.
- Fine jewelry with loose jewels or old costume pieces.
- You can’t reach dust or dirt build-up.
- Recovering missing parts.
- Clasps that have broken or chain links that have broken.
Maintaining Beauty and Value
Every piece, from diamond engagement rings to fashion jewelry, looks better and lasts longer when properly cared for. If you use your discretion and take your time, you’ll be able to maintain your jewelry collection appearing brand new.
