Not only is jewelry lovely, but it's also one of the nicest and most worthwhile purchases you can make. But in order to keep it from tarnishing or breaking, it does need some maintenance. To ensure longevity and shine retention, these responsibilities include regular cleaning and storing. Continue reading for some quick advice on how to properly clean and maintain your jewelry.
JEWELRY CLEANING TECHNIQUES
Cleaning your jewelry before storing it is the first step because neglected jewelry can tarnish metals and cause harm to precious and semi-precious gemstones.
LUXURY JEWELRY
You can gently clean your fine jewelry once a month, but you should leave ultrasonic cleaning to the pros who can watch out for loose stones and give advice on how to fix them. You can do a common cleaning technique at home by filling a bowl with lukewarm water, using a soft toothbrush, and using a light dishwashing detergent. Take note of any loose gemstones as you very carefully brush away dirt and debris with the toothbrush. If you discover any, wait to rewear the item until it has been expertly fixed. Before storing the jewelry, carefully pat it dry.
SILVER JEWELRY
To clean your silver jewelry, you can either purchase excellent silver polish or make your own at home using tinfoil, baking soda, salt, and water. Aluminum foil is used to line a pan, then the jewelry is placed on top. Add salt and baking soda to the jewelry next, about 1 tablespoon per cup of water. Once the objects are completely submerged, pour boiling water over the pan and let them soak for a few minutes. Take off the jewelry and use a lint-free cloth to pat it dry. Make sure to keep this solution away from your karat gold jewelry.
STORAGE METHODS FOR JEWELRY
Your jewelry can be stored once it has been cleaned and dried.
DIVIDE BY TYPE
Jewelry should always be organized and stored by kind to prevent tarnish from the interaction of the various metals. Fine jewelry should never be kept close to costume, silver, or gold-filled jewelry to avoid confusion; storing these items in a jewelry box with drawers or dividers is an excellent approach to avoid this.
GOLD
Because it is relatively pliable, gold is susceptible to damage from harder jewels. Keep each piece of gold jewelry stored separately in soft fabric bags or even in a box that has been wrapped in tissue paper to prevent this from happening.
SILVER
Silver should be kept in a jewelry box with cotton or felt lining. The fabric keeps your jewelry from tarnishing by absorbing extra moisture. To add an additional degree of security, you can also put your pieces in a pouch, loosely covered to reduce air exposure.
No matter how it is kept, silver jewelry should be cleaned twice a year to prevent harm from overpolishing.
DIAMOND
Although diamonds are thought to be the hardest material known to man, they can nonetheless scratch lesser metals and other diamonds. Because of this, diamond jewelry should be kept separate from your other items in a dry container that keeps out moisture.
PEARL
Pearls should be kept away from other hard jewelry pieces that could scratch their surface because of their delicate makeup. Pearls are susceptible to oxidation and interact with plastic. You shouldn't store them in an airtight atmosphere since it will cause them to become brittle and lose their luster because they contain trace amounts of water. Instead, pearls should be kept in a lined jewelry box or soft linen purse.
STORE IN A DRY, COOL ENVIRONMENT.
Jewelry can become damaged by high humidity and abrupt temperature changes, like those we see here in North Central Florida. To remove excess moisture from your jewelry boxes, add silica packets, a dehumidifier, or an air conditioner to the space where it is kept. You should keep your jewelry out of direct sunlight and in a space that is neither too hot nor too cold, but rather at room temperature.
