4 Care Tips to Maintaining Your Jewelry In Prime Condition
Whatever kind of jewelry you own, there is usually a sentimental reason behind each piece. This is particularly true if the jewelry in question falls under any of these categories:
● Engagement rings
● Wedding rings
● Family heirlooms
● Bridal jewelry
Hence, it is undeniable that jewelry is precious, and not just because of the price involved with the purchase. That is why keeping your jewelry in tip-top condition should be a priority, especially if you are looking to wear it for a lifetime.
If you are unsure of how to keep your jewelry clean, or you are the type of person who often forgets to take off your rings and earrings, here are four quick tips to take care of your precious jewelry:
1. Store your jewelry separately
The way you store your jewelry can make a world of a difference. If you are looking to protect and keep each piece in pristine condition, it is best to have them seperate from each other.
Storing your jewelry all together in a single container can cause a lot of scratches with metal on metal. Instead, store your jewelry in the boxes they came in or in a larger jewelry box with soft, cushioned dividers.
Since you have an assigned storage for each piece, you will always know where to find the piece you want to wear. You also do not have to worry about any of the pieces getting scratched or breaking by accident.
2. Always put your jewelry on last, and take it off first
As a best practice, treat your jewelry as the finishing touch to your outfit. Putting on your jewelry last when leaving your house ensures you minimize contact with perfume, cosmetics, and other skincare products. This reduces their exposure to potentially harmful chemicals that might damage precious metals and gems.
Also, always take your pieces off when you get home before showering or heading to bed. We say this because removing jewelry first helps you avoid the situation whereby necklace chains get stuck on stray threads, or earrings end up dropping on the floor by accident.
Should you be planning to go shopping for clothes, it is best to leave jewelry out of the equation that day, unless you have secure clip on earrings that will not catch on anything.
If you do need to wear jewelry anyway, be sure to remove your clothing carefully and check that all your pieces are still on you (especially backs of earrings) before exiting the dressing room.
3. Cleaning them with simple soap and water goes a long way
Contrary to popular belief, you do not need fancy or expensive solvents and cleaners to maintain your jewelry. It’s better to use warm, soapy water and a soft-bristled toothbrush.
This is because a lot of the solvents in the market have a high alcohol content, so while they remove the grease from surfaces, they can have adverse effects on metals and gemstones.
Simply leave your jewelry in a bowl of warm soapy water for a few minutes for the dirt to loosen up and use a soft-bristled toothbrush to remove grime from hard to reach areas. Your pieces should now look as good as new!
4. Be aware of what you're working with
Remember that jewelry comes in various forms. Each particular gemstone or metal might require a different maintenance regime. If you're not sure what materials you are working with, it is essential to figure out what your jewelry is made of before you try to clean it and potentially damage it.
For instance, Pearls and Emeralds are not ideally cleaned with soap and warm water. Instead, it would be best to use a soft, damp cloth to keep them clean.
Nine times out of ten, leaving your jewelry alone is the best, especially if you are unsure of the materials, lest you damage the pieces. We recommend consulting a trustworthy jeweler on the best care tips or paying them to professionally clean them for you instead.
Conclusion
Do not fret if you lack the time to devote to jewelry care or you have no idea on where to start. There are professional jewelers you can bring your precious pieces to get some tips or to help you clean your jewelry.
Chances are, the jewelers you purchased them from will have recommendations on maintaining your jewelry. All you have to do is ask them, and they will be more than happy to advise you.
Besides crafting unique engagement rings in Singapore, August Bespoke provides guidance to our clients on maintaining their jewelry, such as how to take care of that custom proposal ring to keep it sparkling and beautiful.
Moreover, since our jewelry is one-of-a-kind, we know the best ways to help our clients maintain the jewelry in tip-top condition. Should you need any advice, book a consultation with our accommodating jewelers today.
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