From precious metals and colorful gemstones
to diamond bridal jewelry, jewelry pieces can be valuable, beautiful keepsakes
to pass on through the generations. Of course, proper care is essential if you
want your jewelry to be appealing and valuable for many years to come.
Unfortunately, most people do not take
proper care of their jewelry pieces. With this guide and your jeweler's
help,
you will learn about a few common mistakes to avoid, which helps you protect
your jewelry's beauty, durability, and value.
You may not realize how much dirt, dust,
and other residue builds up on your jewelry over time. This residue can affect
the look and overall quality of precious metals and gemstones, so proper
cleaning of your jewelry is imperative.
You can purchase many DIY solutions and
cleaners from different stores. Most commercial solutions are effective for
cleaning jewelry made with precious metals and different gemstones, such as
diamonds and rubies. However, use caution when cleaning pieces with delicate
metals, such as platinum, which will scratch easier than gold and silver.
The best method depends on the specific
piece of jewelry, though. Jewelry pieces that contain opals, pearls, turquoise,
or coral, for example, should always be cleaned by professionals to avoid
damage. Also, if you have antique jewelry, consult the professionals for
cleanings instead of using DIY solutions and commercial cleaners.
If you have questions about your specific
jewelry piece, schedule a cleaning with your jeweler.
Many people feel they can wear their
jewelry constantly. You may want to leave your wedding and engagement ring on
all the time, or you may wear the same necklace and earrings each day.
Although they may be favorite pieces,
taking your jewelry off periodically is important for keeping it safe. The more
you wear it, the more risk you have of snagging it on clothing and other items,
increasing the risk of scratching or scuffing it, losing stones, breaking a
clasp, or tangling the chain.
Removing your jewelry before bathing is
important as well. Body wash, shampoo, conditioner, and other bathing products
can quickly build up behind stones, on the metals, and in clasps, which damages
the metals and stones over time.
Also, remove your jewelry before you go to
bed. Necklaces, bracelets, and earrings can tangle up in your sleep, causing
damage to the chains, stones, and clasps. Rings can also twist around your
fingers as you sleep, causing stress that can lead to scratches and even loose
stones.
Finally, you may not be storing your
jewelry properly. Storage is not only necessary for keeping your jewelry
organized - proper storage can ensure your jewelry does not experience stress
and damage over time.
You can find a huge variety of jewelry
boxes on the market, which can be helpful for storing your rings, earrings,
bracelets, and necklaces. Unfortunately, many people just throw their jewelry
pieces into the box and close the lid, thinking this type of storage is
sufficient.
Without organizing the jewelry in your
jewelry box, the pieces can damage one another. Metals and stones can become
scratched if the pieces are piled on top of one another. In addition, chains
and bracelets can become tangled, which is difficult and sometimes impossible
to repair.
A jewelry box with dividers is your best
option for proper storage, since it can help you store your jewelry in smaller
compartments, reducing stress on the metals, stones, chains, and clasps.
With the right understanding and care, you
can easily protect the look and value of your jewelry. For information on
cleaning, care, and storage of your specific jewelry pieces, contact Marla's
Gem Creations today.
