How to Properly Care for Your Jewellery

Jewellery is often one of the most prized possessions many people will ever own. It’s vital that you take proper care of these items to make sure that they stand the test of time and also hold their value. I, myself, adore jewellery and I have a pretty nice collection of gold and silver pieces that I treasure and love to wear when the weather is warmer.

When I looked in my jewellery box (it’s from Stackers) recently though, I saw that a few of my earrings had some tarnishing on them, and I was so shocked! I reached out to the brands who made these pieces, asking them what to do. They told me that I needed to clean them, which I did, and everything turned out just fine! They’re sparkling again!

So, with that in mind, I’ve put together this article to provide a series of handy tips to help you take proper care of your jewellery, from the precautions to take when wearing it, to the correct storage solutions for your prized pieces. This will ensure that your pieces will be in top condition all of the time.

Know when to remove it

We often get so used to the jewellery that we wear on a daily basis that we don’t stop to think, should I really be wearing this now? Especially if you are taking part in strenuous activities such as exercising, cleaning or gardening, it’s wise to remove your jewellery so that you minimise the risk of it becoming damaged.

Jewellery can very easily get scratched, damaged or even broken, so think ahead, and where possible take off any earrings, bracelets or diamond rings you may be wearing to avoid potential damage. This is also true for washing your hands. A lot of the time if you get your sterling silver jewellery wet with soaps or shampoos, it can tarnish. The same is to be said for swimming – never wear jewellery swimming. The chlorine in the pool can really damage the metal. Trust me, I’ve done it!

Proper storage for your jewellery

Making sure you have a proper storage solution for all of your jewellery is the perfect way to keep it safe and organised. Purchasing a jewellery box or a stand where you can hang necklaces and other delicate items is a great idea and it will help you to maintain the condition of the pieces.

Be sure to separate your jewellery so things don’t get tangled or scratched against one another. You also want to make sure that you avoid them coming into contact with any moisture, so opting to keep pieces of jewellery in small dust bags will help keep them in pristine condition. Keeping air away from the items is great too, as it stops any oxidization. So, a secure lid on your jewellery box is a great idea!

Practice careful cleaning

It’s incredibly easy to damage your favourite pieces of jewellery when cleaning them if you are not careful and you don’t treat them with caution. Stones can very easily dislodge or you could snap a link in a chain.

To avoid this, take extra precautions when cleaning your jewellery and always use gentle cleaners that are specifically designed for whatever material your jewellery is made from, whether it’s gold, silver or bronze. It’s also wise to remove pieces of jewellery where possible when you get into the shower or bath, as I mentioned above, as chlorinated water isn’t what you want to clean them with. I personally love using a cleaning cloth as it really makes my pieces shiny.

Turn to the professionals

Should the worst happen and one of your most prized possessions gets damaged or breaks, make sure you know a trusted and reputable professional who can help you restore it back to its former glory. You always want your jewellery to look its best and dazzle when you wear it, so turning to a professional instead of trying to fix it yourself will ensure it looks as beautiful as the day you purchased it. I hope you found these tips helpful!