Easy Fashion Jewelry Care Tips
Jewelry isn’t just something we wear. It carries memories and meaning. Taking care of it is important. Here are some tips from SYMARA Jewelers to keep your jewelry looking great.
Fashion jewelry can lose its shine fast. Skin oils and air moisture can make it last less time. But with the right care, you can keep your necklaces, bracelets, earrings and rings in good shape.
1. Keep Your Jewelry Dry
Moisture harms most precious metals. Take off all jewelry before you touch water, like when swimming or washing hands. Lotion and perfume can also make jewelry discolor faster. Wait for these products to dry on your skin before putting on jewelry. If your jewelry gets wet, wipe it with a cloth immediately.
2. Clean Gently at Home
Mild soap, warm water and a soft-bristled brush work well for cleaning most household jewelry. Use gentle circular motions to make your pieces shine again. But not all metals and gemstones like this. Heat can damage topaz and moonstone. Rubbing too hard can scratch the metal. For tough stains, detailed designs or delicate gemstones, go to a professional cleaner.
3. Take It Off When Needed
Use organizers with hooks and clear pouches to store earrings. Put one pair in each pouch to stop posts from scratching other earrings. Hang the organizer on your closet door or inside your closet so you can easily get to it.
4. Store Jewelry Properly
Proper storage keeps your jewelry in good shape. Moisture and air are bad – oxidation happens when metals stay in the air for too long. A simple way is to store jewelry in a Ziplock bag after getting rid of all the air. For sterling silver, add anti – tarnish strips to your jewelry box.
5. Separate Everyday Pieces
Keep often – worn jewelry in a small jewelry box or tray. Choose one that fits your style and put it on your dresser. Easy access helps you find what you need and remember your collection. Store irreplaceable pieces in a safe place.
6. Avoid Harmful Substances & Activities
Stay away from chlorine and salt water. Remove jewelry before hot tubs, pools or beach trips. These can damage gold, platinum and gemstone finishes. Don’t wear jewelry when applying sunscreen, lotion or showering. These products leave a film that makes jewelry look dull. Be careful wearing jewelry during workouts. Necklaces, studs or small hoops may be okay, but rings and bracelets can get caught or scratched on equipment. Take off engagement rings when exercising. Remove precious jewelry for manual labor jobs or hobbies, like landscaping, construction or contact sports. Summer is tough on jewelry (water, sun, sand). After summer or a beach vacation, take your pieces to a jeweler for maintenance.
7. Don’t Jumble Jewelry Together
Use a fabric – lined jewelry case or a box with many compartments. If using regular boxes, wrap each piece in soft tissue paper. This stops tangles, scratches and tarnish. Look for boxes with small compartments instead of large ones – too few compartments cause jumbling.
All jewelry needs some basic care. But gemstones, gold and platinum need extra care. Here are some simple tips to keep these precious pieces safe and shiny.
8. Gemstone Jewelry Care
Gemstones should be protected from hard surfaces or rough materials. Even diamonds can chip if hit hard or at certain angles. Delicate stones like amethyst, emerald, kunzite, opal, pearl, peridot, tanzanite and tourmaline scratch easily. Enamel can also chip or scratch when hit. Don’t stack rings or bracelets with these gemstones as they can scratch each other or damage precious metals. Avoid extreme temperatures, perfumes, cosmetics, ultrasonic cleaners and household chemicals as they can harm gemstones. Clean diamonds with a mild mix of 6 parts water to 1 part ammonia and use a soft-bristled brush to gently scrub. For often-worn pearls, get them professionally cleaned and restrung once a year. Between cleanings, wipe them gently with a damp cloth.
9. Gold & Platinum Jewelry Care
Between professional cleanings, use a non-abrasive cleaner for most gold and platinum pieces. Check your jewelry regularly to make sure settings are tight and clasps/joinings are secure. Keep gold jewelry away from household bleach as it discolors gold quickly and may even break it down over time. Store carefully. All SYMARA jewelry comes in a protective box, case or tarnish-resistant pouch. When not wearing it, put it back in the original packaging or a lined box/pouch.