When it comes to jewelry care, a little effort goes a long way. Of course, it's easy to get into the habit of putting on and taking off your everyday jewelry without a second thought. But factors such as excessive use or exposure to the sun, water, and pollution can cause scratches, tarnishing, and discoloration over time.
The good news is that with a few simple daily care habits, your jewelry will stay in excellent condition for years.
In this article, you will discover the simplest and most effective ways to preserve the new look of your jewelry.
How to keep your jewelry safe from the moment you buy it?
Protect your jewelry by putting it on last. Getting ready to go out may involve all kinds of sprays, creams... and even elixirs that are healthy for our skin and hair can be harmful to our jewelry. Some products, such as perfume and hairspray, are particularly harsh.
Jewelry (like everything else) is made of atoms and molecules that react with the substances they come into contact with.
Thus, even if you don't notice anything right away, frequent exposure to chemicals will cause micro-changes on the surface of your jewelry that will become visible over time.
When to put on your jewelry when getting ready to go out?
The answer is simple. Wait a minute after applying lotion, perfume, or makeup, and wash your hands before putting on your jewelry.
If you forget (it happens) and you spray yourself with a good dose of perfume after putting on your jewelry, use a clean, damp cloth to wipe off the residue as soon as possible.
Be careful when layering pieces, especially mixed metals, because harder metals or gemstones can scratch softer metals.
Taking off your jewelry in certain situations to ensure optimal longevity
Taking off your jewelry before certain activities is another simple and effective way to keep it in good condition in the long term. A dry and clean piece of jewelry lasts longer.
We've all done it. You rush out and jump in the shower with your earrings. It's not a big deal if it happens once in a while, but it's best to get into the habit of taking off your jewelry in the following situations:
- In the shower, while doing the dishes, or in any other situation that exposes your jewelry to water and soap
- When you exercise or sweat (for example, gardening, sitting in a hot stadium).
- When you cook, do DIY...etc
- When you sleep
A little water from time to time can be acceptable, especially for high-quality metals like vermeil and sterling silver.
But keeping your items dry also protects them from damage caused by pH, minerals, chemicals, chlorine, and salt. And not exposing them to the sun for long periods protects them from UV damage.
How to get used to taking off your jewelry when necessary?
Keep a jewelry holder next to your sink, bathtub, and shower. It can literally be a bowl, a cup, but there are jewelry holders specially designed for this purpose, and the aesthetics can make the ritual more pleasant for you.
Keep a small jewelry bag in your handbag, with separate compartments if possible to prevent tangling and scratches.
How to store your jewelry at home?
For storing jewelry, whether for a few days or long-term, the ideal is to keep it in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight, with plenty of space to prevent pieces from scratching and tangling. You can use dividers in a drawer as a DIY jewelry organizer box.
Should you buy a jewelry box?
Invest in a jewelry box or case, it will allow you to preserve them better.
Jewelry cases are specially designed to store your jewelry, they already come with a soft lining and compartments that allow you to see and easily access your jewelry.
You can display it on your dressing table or bathroom counter at home and easily pack your favorite jewelry to take on a trip. For more advanced tips on how to take care of your jewelry when you are not wearing it, check out our article on how to store jewelry!
The final touch, how to properly clean your jewelry?
If you follow all our care tips, your jewelry will stay sparkling throughout its life. The final touch of jewelry care is cleaning and polishing, from time to time.
To learn more about April Please jewelry care, we have written a guide here.
To clean your jewelry, it is best to use a soft, damp cloth. Microfiber and fine cotton are perfect, as are cloths specially designed for cleaning jewelry. For polishing, look for a jewelry polishing cloth and a professional product specifically designed for the metal you want to polish.
Remember that gold jewelry, silver jewelry, and gemstone jewelry each have different cleaning procedures.
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