During the Victorian era in England, there was a craze for wearing bejeweled insects on your clothes as a sign of wealth.
We can only imagine how difficult it must have been to keep such jewelry in a good state of repair. Luckily these days, our tastes have mellowed a little, and jewelry care 101 has become easier.
If you are looking for ways to keep your jewelry in the best shape, read our guide on proper jewelry care.
Keep Them Out of The Pool
As tempting as it may be to keep your jewelry on when in the pool, you really shouldn’t. It may look super chic, but the levels of chlorine in the swimming pool water will tarnish your precious metals.
Other metals will also oxidize, resulting in chips and cracks appearing in the coating. Best to take everything off before taking a dip and securing them safely inside a cloth bag or towel.
Don’t Wear Them to Clean
Many dirty jobs need doing around the house, and lots of them will damage your jewelry. Remember to remove your jewelry from your hands when you wash-up or do work in the garden.
Rubber gloves may offer some protection from liquids, but they will not protect your jewelry from the risk of damage. Save your jewelry from dents and bangs (and your own hands, too!) by storing them safely when the going gets rough.
Store Them Correctly
Don’t just throw all your jewelry together in one box. Necklaces and bracelets will become tangled, as if by magic, overnight. Other items will rub together, causing tarnishes and require you to polish them more frequently.
Hang necklaces and bracelets from a hook, or in a pinch, a curtain rail. Make sure rings and bracelets are secured in holders.
Many jewelry boxes now come with separate compartments to ensure everything has its rightful place. Wrap items individually in serviettes when traveling to ensure they are kept safe.
Don’t Use Nail Polish
An old wive’s tale that coating your jewelry in nail polish will prevent it from tarnishing. It’s not true! In fact, it will do the opposite, causing your favorite pieces to discolor.
If you find that costume rings cause your skin to turn green, you can use nail polish to prevent this. But only paint the unseen part that touches your skin. Not the whole ring!
Clean Your Jewelry
You can clean most of your jewelry at home yourself without the need of a jeweler. Over time and many uses, you will find that jewelry loses its natural shine and gleam.
Silver and gold will tarnish, and jewels will lose their brilliance, even when you treat them with great care. To maintain their luster, you must clean them regularly.
Clean costume jewelry after every use. With precious metals, ensure you buy the correct cleaning fluids for the right materials. Invest in a toothbrush to use as your primary cleaning tool.
If you are looking to add to your jewelry collection, you may want to take a peek at some of the incredible pieces available at Roma Designer Jewelry.
Keep Up Your Jewelry Care Routine
Maintaining a regular jewelry care 101 routine will help keep your pieces looking their best long in the future.
Ensure you clean them often and store them safely. Don’t forget to always remove them when doing the dirty jobs around the house to keep them shining for many years to come.
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