Caring for Your Jewelry

Jewelry can be something pleasurable for both men and women. Jewelry doesn’t even have to be overly expensive to hold some personal value. But whether you are caring for priceless family heirlooms or inexpensive costume jewelry, there are a few things you can do to help keep your jewelry looking glorious for years to come.

One of the biggest mistakes people make with their jewelry is not taking it off when they are getting dressed. Soaps, lotions and grooming items are made of harmful chemicals that can accumulate on the precious metals, gems and birthstones, causing an ugly and hard-to-remove film. It is best to leave your jewelry as the last piece to your daily dressing ritual.

When you are working around the house doing chores or cooking, it is better to take your jewelry off and store it in a safe place. Harsh chemicals and household cleaners can harm jewelry, especially sterling silver, causing it to oxidize. And when you are cooking, food particles can get caught in crevices and brackets.

Bracelets and loose pieces of jewelry can easily get caught when working with machines and tools, so you should remove everything before you being your work. And never wear jewelry when working with bleach because this can do a lot of harm to any kind of jewelry you wear.

Finally, it is important to dry jewelry off completely when you wear it or before storing it. Water that is left on all types of jewelry can weaken the springs and clasps, or cause a mildew stain to appear. These stains are hard to remove, especially for silver pieces.

Taking care of jewelry doesn’t have to be a time consuming task. By following these simple steps, you can enjoy your jewelry to its shiniest potential for years to come!