Jewelry Care Guide: How to Keep your Accessories Looking Brand New
If you want keep your jewelry looking fresh, it's important to keep your accessories in good condition. Proper care not only preserves the aesthetics of your statement pieces, but also maintains the metal hardware, so you can continue to wear your favorite accessories for years to come.
This article serves as the ultimate care guide for looking after your jewelry and keeping it sparkling for as long as possible.
Clean Your Jewelry Regularly
Every time you wear your jewelry, dirt, oils and other environmental influences (like rain) can cause wear and tear to your pieces, causing your accessories to lose their shine over time. That's why regularly polishing your jewelry is a must.
How to clean different types of jewelry
You'll need to consider the type of jewelry you own when cleaning your accessories:
Gold and silver hardware: Require soft cloths, mild soap, and warm water.
Gemstones: Require specific cleaning methods based on the type of gemstone. Google the specific gem to find out the best care method for your piece.
Pearls: Require gentle cleaning with a damp cloth to avoid damaging the delicate surface of the pearls.
You should avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners when cleaning any jewelry type because these cleaning materials may scratch, harm, or discolor the jewelry.
Store Your Jewelry Properly
Keep your jewelry out of direct sunlight and away from the bathroom - humidity can tarnish or damage certain materials.
When storing your jewelry, organize your pieces in ways that will prevent tangling or scratching of the charms and chains.
To store your pieces properly, you can use jewelry boxes with separate compartments or you can buy soft storage pouches. Special anti-tarnish bags should be used for more expensive silver and gold pieces.
General Good Practice
It's generally a good idea to avoid wearing your jewelry during exercise or any type of strenuous activity. Sweat caused from strenuous housework or by going to the gym can cause damage to your favorite pieces and cause them to tarnish, so it's best to get into the habit of removing your jewelry before beginning any labor-intensive activities. Swimming with your jewelry on can also cause damage, so be mindful of your accessories before getting into the pool or sea this summer!
Some chemicals in sun lotion, hair products and perfumes can also damage your jewelry over time. Avoid spraying perfume directly over your jewelry, and apply lotion before putting on your accessories. Always let products dry on the skin before putting on your accessories for the day.
Finally, consider taking an extra few minutes to remove your jewelry before bed to avoid damage during the night when tossing and turning during your sleep.
How to Deal with Tarnish and Rust
Oxidation can cause metals like silver to tarnish over time. Humidity or chemicals in the environment can cause oxidation, and though it isn't always possible to prevent oxidation, you can try to minimize the damage it causes.
Removing tarnishes
For mild tarnishing you can try DIY methods such as baking soda and aluminum foil to remove the tarnish. This hack helps the tarnish transfer from your silver jewelry to the aluminum foil when both the jewelry and the foil come into contact with a solution of hot water and baking soda.
Preventing tarnishes
To minimize the chances of tarnishing, you should store your jewelry in anti-tarnish bags and avoid exposure to moisture and humid environments. Regularly cleaning your jewelry can also keep your pieces shining for longer.
Seek Professional Help
Sometimes the damage is too extreme to care for on your own. In these cases, a trip to a professional jeweler might be the only solution.
When should you visit a professional jeweler?
- To restore lost charms, gems, or stones
- To fix broken chains or clasps that you cannot repair on your own
- To clean high-value or intricate pieces that you wouldn't feel confident cleaning on your own
Make sure to read trustworthy reviews of any jeweler you plan on visiting. Ensure that they have adequate experience restoring jewelry of the same type that you plan to have repaired.
Conclusion
Taking the time to care for your jewelry properly will ensure that your favorite pieces remain beautiful for years to come. Regular cleaning, proper storage, and mindful wear can help prevent tarnishing, scratches, and other damage from the environment.
Sometimes, seeking professional assistance is the only way to restore your accessories to their original shine.
By following the simple steps in this guide, you can keep your jewelry looking fresh and sparkly for years to come.
And if you're looking for stunning silver, high-quality jewelry that stands the test of time, explore our collections! Designed with durability in mind, our 925 sterling silver pieces ensure you shine every day - no matter the occasion! Shop now and invest in jewelry that lasts! ✨💎