Tips for Keeping Your Jewelry Looking Like New
Jewelry is a valuable object, especially from an emotional point of view. To keep them, you need to know how to store them, how to clean them and what not to do. As a jewelry designer, I often receive inquiries from customers and friends about the proper care of their jewelry. Many pieces of jewelry are made of metals that can blacken, scratch, or show signs of wear without proper care. To make your jewelry look like new for a long time, here are some tips and tricks I've gathered from my experience working with a wide variety of metals :
Avoid contact of the jewelry with chemicals : to prevent damage to your jewelry, avoid exposing the jewelry to chemicals such as hair spray, household cleaning products and perfume . You should always complete all the preparations for going out, and only then wear the jewelry.
Remove jewelry while showering and swimming : Moisture can damage jewelry, so take off your pieces before bathing or swimming.
Dry the jewelry well : after wearing a piece of jewelry, be sure to dry it carefully before storing it to avoid moisture damage .
Sweat can also cause discoloration and damage to jewelry, so try to remove jewelry before physical activity that can cause excessive sweating .
Wipe the jewelry occasionally with a soft cloth : A gentle wipe with a soft cloth (such as an eyeglass cleaning cloth) can help remove oils and keep your jewelry shiny .
Store the jewelry properly : Store the jewelry in a moisture-free Ziploc bag or in another dry place. Do not store the jewelry in the bathroom or in a room with high humidity. Improper storage, may damage the jewelry, they can get tangled and rub against each other. There are more delicate materials, such as pearls or gems, therefore, the jewelry should be stored separately from each other or in dedicated jewelry boxes.
Remove jewelry before bed : To avoid knots or tears, it is always best to remove jewelry before bed .
Special treatment for specific metals:
Sterling silver and oxydized silver :
* Store in a cool and dry place, away from direct light and heat.
* Clean the jewelry regularly with a soft cloth or a mild soap solution.
*Avoid exposing the jewelry to chemicals and rough surfaces.
*Use a silver cleaning cloth or silver polishing solution to restore the shine and remove stains.
*Avoid wearing the jewelry while performing physical activity or household chores.
*If your silver jewelry has been intentionally oxidized (blackened) by a designer, do not use the polishing solution as it can remove the oxidation. Instead, use a soft cloth to gently wipe away the moisture .
Brass jewelry : Brass is a popular material for jewelry due to its price and durability, but it can oxidize easily. To keep brass shiny, use the brass polishing solution or the polishing cloth .
Gold-plated jewelry : avoid exposing it to water, chemicals and rough surfaces. Store them in a box or Ziploc bag to prevent scratches. Store the jewelry in a cool and dry place (not in the bathroom), away from direct light and heat .
Additional tips:
Store the jewelry together with chalk : chalk (yes, the kind you write on a blackboard) can absorb moisture, therefore storing your jewelry with a piece of chalk can absorb moisture and prevent oxidation .
Use silica packets : Keep the silica packets (absorbers) that come in shoe boxes, for example, to store with your jewelry. They absorb moisture and help prevent tarnishing and discoloration of the metals.