How Do I Care for My Jewelry?

Speaking of jewelries, any woman will find them simply irresistable. Whether jewelry is made of diamond, gold, silver, platinum, pearls, gemstones, crystals or beads, special care must be taken to ensure your jewelry is always well kept and maintained.

Over the years, I have learned several simple yet effective ways to keep my jewelries looking great all the time. Here are the great tips for you to apply when it comes to protecting, storing, caring and cleansing your jewelries.

How do I protect my jewelry?
Jewelry is wonderful but easily damaged. Try to protect any jewelry from scratches, sharp blows, harsh chemicals, extreme temperatures and sunlight.

When doing household tasks such as gardening and cleaning, be certain to remove your jewelry.

Take off jewelry before swimming in a swimming pool. The chlorine can cause damage to various gemstones and gold.

Before doing high impact sports, take off your jewelry as you may scratch it.


How do I store my jewelry?
Avoid storing your jewelry next to a heating vent, window sill or on a car dashboard.

Store jewelry away from sunlight as the sun may fade the jewelry.

Store chains separately and save yourself the headache of untangling them.

If you have bead necklaces such as a beautiful strand of lapis or pearls, store them flat as silk stretches over time. Stretched bead necklaces easily come apart.

Always store your jewelry in cloth pouches, paper, or jewelry boxes that have separate sections. It will prevent pieces from scratching each other.

Store each piece of gemstone jewelry separately so that harder stones don't scratch softer ones. Almost every gemstone is much harder than the metal it is set in. Gems can scratch the finish on your gold, silver or platinum if you throw your jewelry in a heap in a drawer or jewelry box.

Store your jewelry in a clean, dry place: a fabric-lined jewelry case or box with compartments and dividers is ideal. If you prefer to use an ordinary box, wrap each piece individually in soft tissue paper.

If you want your jewelry to be ready to wear at a moments notice, you should store your jewelry pieces the zip lock bags, or in a jewelry box or jewelry case with the lid closed.


How do I care for my jewelry?
Before you put a piece of jewelry on, test it for loosened stones and check the clasp. There's nothing worse than losing a beloved piece of jewelry because the clasp fails.

Put your jewelry on after you apply your makeup, perfume, and hairspray. The chemicals contained in these products will ruin the surface appearance.

Keep your jewelry clean and away from lotions, powders, soaps, and natural skin oils as they can build up on jewelry.

After you are done wearing your jewelry for the night, take it off but don't pull by the stone! You might loosen its setting.

Always avoid contact with chemicals, such as pool and sea water, hair spray and perfume, household cleansers, even tap and well water. Water leaves nasty mineral deposits behind.

Don't wear your jewelry to bed or to the gym. Exercising, swimming or doing household chores while wearing your jewelry will cover them with cooking grease, smoke, sweat and perspiration, and will eventually leave a film behind, dulling the color and shine.


How do I clean my jewelry?
Gently wipe jewelry with a soft cloth to remove excess dirt and oil. If allowed to build up on the surface of gems, these will dull the brilliance of faceted stones and can cut the luster of pearls.

Many precious gemstones have their own special needs and requirements that you should be aware of to ensure their longevity. Popular methods of cleaning, such as ultrasonic cleaners and steam cleaning, are not appropriate for all gems.

Amethyst, Citrine, and other members of the quartz family shouldn't be steam cleaned because intense heat (as well as prolonged light) can permanently alter their color. Opals should always be treated with some care. Avoid impacts, chemicals, heat and extremely dry conditions - all promote cracking. As for your emerald jewelry, avoid heat cleaning and chemicals that can remove the jeweler's oil. Topaz sometimes cracks when subjected to sudden temperature changes as it would in steam cleaning. Porous gems like turquoise and amber are popular in silver jewelry, but they will become discolored by silver cleaners.

Aside from these cautions, you can clean your own jewelry at home without much fuss. For most types of mounted gemstone pieces, occasional, gentle brushing with a baby toothbrush in warm, mildly soapy water and drying with a soft cloth is all you need to keep your jewelry looking its finest every day. But, do use a bowl to clean your jewelry; don't do it over the sink.


About the Author
Jessica Sinclair is a jewelry retailer who is passionate about making gorgeous looking jewelries that are suitable for all occasions. She promotes her jewelries through her online store: www.devoguecollections.com. Her jewelries are sold at great prices. You can also enjoy great savings through online coupons, monthly promotions and much more. Visit her store to find out more.