The Fundamental Things to Do to Take Care of Your Jewelry
You can do several fundamental things to care for your jewelry properly. These activities include cleaning, storage, and minimizing wear and tear. Additionally, you must remember to re-tip prongs to prevent them from wearing off. This is the most important part of caring for your jewelry.
Clean
If you have a contemporary fine jewelry collection, cleaning it is essential. Especially if you collect more than a few pieces, you may not know what you have or have forgotten to remove some of your favorite pieces. To clean your jewelry collection properly, you must thoroughly clean its storage compartments. This spring-cleaning method will save you time and energy.
You can clean your jewelry at home by following a few tips:
- Store it in a place free from dust and other elements. You also need to lay it flat when it is not in use. You should also avoid wearing it while showering and in other activities that can damage it.
- Keep it away from perfumes and lotions when you are not wearing them. This will keep the shape of your jewelry and avoid caked-on grime.
- It will make your cleaning process easier.
Store
To protect your jewelry, keep it in a cool and safe place. You can use a jewelry box, a vertical storage wall, or a set of drawers. Avoid leaving your jewelry in the open, as this will cause the metal to tarnish faster.
Jewelry is a luxury item, so it should be treated with care. Avoid wearing your jewelry when you’re doing certain activities, such as gardening, painting, and using cleaning solutions. Wear gloves whenever possible.
Minimize Wear
One of the best ways to minimize wear on your jewelry collection is to take good care of it. By following a few simple steps, you can extend the life of your pieces. First, protect them from abrasive surfaces, extreme temperatures, and household chemicals. You should also avoid wearing rings that can bend or break. You should also take extra care when putting them on or off.
Re-Tip Prongs
If you notice that the prongs on your necklace, earrings, or rings are getting shaky, you can re-tip them to make them look like new. If you do not want to endure the pain of re-tying every prong in your jewelry, you can have a jeweler do it for you. This process is relatively inexpensive and can save you from spending hundreds of dollars repairing and replacing your jewelry.
There are several different methods for re-tipping the prongs on your jewelry collection:
- You need to decide what type of repair you need. In some cases, you can simply re-tie the prongs, but in other cases, you may need to add some metal to the setting. In such a case, the jeweler will weld or solder a fresh piece of metal to the area of concern.
- The new prong will be polished and shaped.
- The stone will be set into place again.
Avoid Harsh Chemicals
To avoid damaging your jewelry, you should avoid using household cleaning products and harsh chemicals. These chemicals can damage the finishes of your jewelry and may even damage your precious metals. Even chlorine bleach can cause discoloration and cause your jewelry to lose its luster. Whenever possible, remove your jewelry before cleaning it with household cleaners. The best way to clean your jewelry is by using a soft cloth. Never use abrasive materials like tissue or paper towels, which can discolor your jewelry and damage precious metals and gemstones. It is best to use 100% cotton cloths for cleaning.
Store In A Safe Place
Keep your jewelry safe, preferably in a safe deposit box at your local bank. You can also get a safe with a built-in storage system that can accommodate additional pieces as your collection grows. Ensure not to overload the safe; you may need to buy more than one safe or buy a bigger one to fit the entire collection. When organizing your jewelry, you should organize the items according to size, shape, and type. For example, stud earrings should be stored differently than long necklaces. Also, you should store them near where you get ready in the morning.