Jewelry is not just an ornament. It is a sign of love or tradition or personal identity. Whether it is the old locket of your grandma or a sleek bracelet you wear on a daily basis, all the pieces need a good treatment. Regrettably, even the most precious piece of jewelry can become dull or tarnished or even break out gradually without maintenance. These are some tips on how to care and how to fix your jewelry so that it may remain as beautiful as when you bought it.
1. Store It Smartly
It is ideal that jewelry should be stored in a cool, dry place usually in a fabric lined jewelry box or pouch. Place pieces apart to prevent scratches, particularly harder gemstones or metallic ones. You may like looking at your collection on a tray, but when it is exposed to the air and dust it may speed the tarnishing.
Tips: Store silver in anti-tarnish strips and it is better not to leave jewelry in the humid bathrooms, where moisture is the enemy of silver!
2. Clean It Gently and Regularly
Cleaning on a regular basis, makes jewelry shine. Warm tepid water and mild liquid detergent will be sufficient in most cases. First, soak it up for a few minutes, then brush the dirt off with a soft brush (best of all it could be the baby toothbrush), rinse and blot dry using a lint-free cloth.
Any type of harsh chemicals such as bleach, toothpaste or alcohol should be avoided as it can affect metals and other delicate stones. Rather, it is recommended that you invest in a quality jewelry cleaner solution (or cleaner) or ultrasonic cleaner to be used to clean deeper.
3. Wear with Care
Jewelry may be beautiful, although it is not unbreakable. Take pieces off when swimming (chlorine is merciless to metals), when cleaning, exercising or applying lotion, perfume or hairspray. Such everyday tasks might lead to accretion, abrasion, or even to destruction.
Be even more careful in case you are wearing delicate or sentimental jewelry such as custom unique engagement rings. Such unique designs are usually surrounded by detailed settings, or exotic stones which require some special care. Removing the ring when handling any aggressive activity can save the beauty and form of the ring.
4. Inspect for Damage
Start checking your jewelry regularly to see whether it has loose prongs, bent clasps or missing diamonds. When these are caught early enough a repair which would otherwise become costly in replacement, becomes cheap to repair. Once the necklace becomes a bit weak or a ring stone becomes a bit loose then it is time to bring it in.
5. Find a Trusted Jeweler for Repairs
Every jeweler is not equal. Trust comes in handy when it comes to repair. Be it soldering a broken chain, resetting a stone or a ring that doesn’t fit, seek out an expert who works on your kind of jewelry, particularly with antiques or heirlooms.
In case you have specialized pieces such as hand-made earrings or special unique engagement rings, go with a jeweler that is specialized and experienced with custom work. They will know the intricacies of your design and will maintain integrity of its structure in repairing it.
Final Thoughts
Caring for your jewelry is not so much like babying it; it is about appreciating the skills and meaning that altogether each piece had. The proper habits can help you keep your favorite accessories shiny, wearable and something you will keep close to you (or have your heirs treasure) many years (or generations) to come.
