Preserving the Life of Your Jewelry

Since it was most likely given to you by someone you hold dear, your first item of jewelry is always the most precious and dear. Over time, you amass a collection of objects that you either add to with purchases or add to with gifts and heirlooms. There will be some that you favor more than others and some that will become your go-to staples. There is no such thing as too much care for one's jewelry collection. If you take the time to care after your jewelry, it will shine like new.

Let's start with what most people actually wear every day. You may already know that soaps, shampoos, powders, and lotions can leave a filmy buildup under and around a setting if you use too much of them. Diamonds and colored gemstones would lose some of their lusters if this happened. This is a common cause of gold's lackluster appearance.

In general, being outside is something that most people like doing, whether it be playing sports or simply doing chores. But they can wreck your jewels just as easily. For instance, if you are a gardener who, like most people, prefers to avoid using gardening gloves to feel the earth, your rings may become dislodged and fall off your fingers if you don't take precautions. Dirt can become embedded in the setting, and the stones could be chipped in transit. A necklace or bracelet could get snagged and broken or misplaced.

Do not expose your stones to harsh environments like hot tubs, saunas, or chlorinated pools if you frequent such establishments (or if you have such facilities in your own home) since this can harm the polished finish and leave the gem looking dull. A gemstone's hue may also be altered by them.

It's important to keep an eye on jewelry that has stones set with claws and/or prongs, as these settings can weaken and shatter with time, causing the stone to become loose or fall out of the mount. Prongs can be re-pointed by a jeweler. In the course of our daily lives, our rings may be accidentally knocked or slammed against something, damaging the claw without our knowledge or consent. I know this firsthand since two of the claws on my engagement ring were bent in a sideways position after I hit a wall with my hand. The loose diamond in the setting made a pronounced rattling sound.

Larger links in link chains and bracelets, especially if worn frequently, might become brittle with time. Due to friction caused by movement, the connecting links wear out and become thinner.

To prevent any bacteria from growing in the closure of your new earrings, wipe them down with an alcohol swab. It's impossible to tell who else has tried on those earrings before you.

A common practice for donning earrings is pressing the index finger against the stone and pushing in the butterfly back. When applying the closure, it is recommended to place a tissue over the stone's surface to prevent fingerprints from diminishing the stone's luster.

Turquoise earrings that consist of a post and a butterfly, if worn correctly, should require some force to attach the butterfly to the post. Losing an earring is a real possibility if it slides too smoothly.

If a ring is worn frequently, it is wise to have the shank checked at the bottom for wear and damage. Shanks can become dangerously thin and snap off, potentially causing serious injury or even amputation.

When taking off your chains, lay them flat on a surface to prevent them from tangling. To prevent the silk from stretching, beaded necklaces should be laid flat while not in use. They may break if you stretch them too much.

Camos require special attention when storing and handling due to their fragility and susceptibility to cracking and discoloration from age, dryness, and the environment. Sweep it down with a gentle brush. A cameo can be cleaned by rinsing it in warm water and drying it off with a soft cloth.

Even though they rank as a 10 on the Mohs scale of hardness, diamonds nevertheless need to be cleaned and cared for regularly. Cosmetics, deodorants, and cleaning agents can dull a diamond's luster. Shine can be dampened by contact with the skin's natural oils and sweat. You can clean the surface and the areas surrounding the settings using a soft brush, some mild dish soap, some warm water, and final rinsing. Alternative methods include using a commercial jewelry cleaner or a combination of the two.

Wait a few minutes after spraying on perfume, hairspray, or deodorant, ladies, so the spray has time to dry before you put on your jewelry. The pearl's iridescence, sheen, and color could be altered and become dull and lifeless over time, for instance, if you applied perfume and then placed your pearl necklace on before the scent was entirely dried. Having your pearls restrung every year or two and with knots between them is recommended. Having a knot in between each pearl bead keeps them from scraping against one another and keeps them from scattering if the strand breaks. They should be washed in mild soapy water and dried on a towel for optimal upkeep. To prevent chemical buildup, pearls should be cleaned regularly by wiping them with a gentle wet cloth after each wearing.

Wearing opal jewelry is not recommended in very hot weather. Do not leave it in the hot sun or in the freezing cold, since this could cause the opals to break. Store your opal jewelry in a plastic bag with a damp piece of fabric or cotton ball if you live in a dry region; opals shatter easily when dehydrated. Opals contain water within them. Opals are permeable, therefore you shouldn't clean them with chemical jewelry cleaners. We recommend using a light detergent for dishes, warm water, and a soft toothbrush.

Due to their permeable nature, corals should not be exposed to any pollutants. It is also a delicate gem that needs special care to avoid being scratched or chipped during storage. Clean your coral jewelry with a damp, gentle cloth.

Another stone that needs to be protected against heat and chemicals is turquoise, which is both porous and delicate. Since they are easily scratched, you should clean them with lukewarm water and a soft brush and keep them in a jewelry pouch.

Amber is an incredibly delicate diamond that scratches very quickly. Amber is a fairly porous stone, so if you wear it as jewelry, apply your perfume or hairspray first. This will prevent the perfume or hairspray from leaving a dull film on the stone. Amber jewelry is best cared for by wiping it off with a soft cotton or flannel towel and putting it away in its own box.

If you wear gold jewelry, take it off before using any household chemicals, as these can cause tiny scratches in the metal that dull its shine. Keep your gold jewelry away from chlorinated pools and hot tubs, as well as cleaning chemicals containing chlorine, or it can tarnish and eventually crack or break. Use a soft-bristled brush and warm water to polish your jewelry.

Cleaning silver jewelry requires a delicate cloth or a fine piece of felt. It is recommended to use silver cleaning if the silver is extremely unclean. Chlorine will tarnish silver. Silver jewelry will tarnish when worn because of contact with air, light, and sweat (sweat). Take it off and wash it well when the day is done. The metal is so delicate that it needs to be kept in a cotton bag to avoid scratching.

Keep your jewelry organized by placing each piece in a small plastic bag (craft stores carry what look like little Ziploc bags). By doing so, you can avoid having your jewelry scratch against one another.

Cleaning and maintaining jewelry at home is quick and easy. All of your daily-wear jewelry should be cleaned once a week at the very least.

You should have your jewelry checked and cleaned once a year, just like you would at your doctor's office.

In the right hands, jewelry can shine as brightly as the day you bought it. If you take the time to clean and maintain your jewelry properly, it will retain its luster and sparkle for as long as you own it.