Jewelry costs hundreds and sometimes thousands of dollars. Whether it’s an heirloom, a gift from a special someone, or something that you bought for yourself, taking care of your jewelry is essential to maintain its shine and value. Over time, your jewelry will fade and lose its luster if you don’t take care of it. While there are jewelry retouching services that can bring back the shine on your necklaces, rings, bracelets, and earrings, you won’t need to do that if you only take better care of your jewelry and clean it from time to time.
- Take off your jewelry before going to the gym or playing any sports. If you don’t want to scratch your rings or your bracelets, take them off before any physical activity. Also, if there are precious stones or diamonds on your rings, these can come off when you accidentally bang your hand or arms against a hard surface.
- Clean your jewelry with a soft cloth regularly. This will make the shine last longer. It will also bring back some of its luster.
- Separate your jewelry according to their specification. If possible, separate the gold from other metals so that you can clean it with the right chemical. Pearls should be placed in a container that’s not too dry or airtight because they can get damaged.
- Store your jewelry in the correct containers, which are drawstring pouches made of velvet, chintz or cotton, and boxes lined with foam inside.
- Keep the chains clasped together so that they will not get entangled with other pieces of jewelry in the container. If possible, store them separately in their own pouches.
- Avoid dropping your jewelry because it can damage the stone’s base, or the clasp can get broken. If damaged, bring it immediately to a local jeweler to have it fixed.
- Regularly polish your platinum and silver jewelry. It can tarnish in the long run. Cleaning it regularly will keep its shine from fading.
- Use the right cleaning chemicals for your jewelry. Silver differs from gold when it comes to cleaning material. Know which is the right one to use on the metal. Gold, for example, react very well to a simple soap and warm water solution.
- If you have antique or heritage jewelry, don’t clean it by yourself. It is highly likely that your cleaning material has a high dose of acidity. This can damage your antique jewelry. Bring it to a professional cleaner.
- If your jewelry gets damaged, don’t try to repair it on your own. Bring it to someone who can fix the problem. You may just aggravate the issue.
Since you’ve invested a huge sum of money on your jewelry, invest also in a safe container or box where you can put it. You should also take the time to regularly clean it with the right cleaning agent or bring it to a professional. This will prevent them from tarnishing and losing their shine. A piece of jewelry can be passed down from generation to generation, so it’s important to keep the piece looking new.