Jewellery is more than just an accessory – it holds sentimental value for most people. Whether you have a fine jewellery collection, a family heirloom, or just a few pieces, it is essential to take good care of them to ensure their beauty and value last for a long time.
It is challenging to care for your jewellery, especially when made using different materials. Whether caring for diamonds, pearls, or precious metals, you must be careful while cleaning, handling, and storing your jewels. With proper care, your jewellery won’t lose its charm and value.
Damages to your jewellery, like tarnish, dullness, and lose prongs, are common with daily wear. However, if you exercise caution while handling and cleaning your jewellery and follow some common-sense tips, you can prevent these issues.
This article will explore the best practices for jewellery care, including cleaning techniques, storage tips, and maintenance advice, so you can keep your favourite pieces looking their best.
Jewellery wearing guidelines
Different types of materials react differently to everyday wear. For example, sterling silver jewellery is more prone to scratching due to its softness. It also oxidizes faster than other metals like gold or platinum and is more prone to lose its lustre.
If you stick to a few simple rules while wearing your jewellery, you can prolong the life and shine of your pieces.
Put jewellery on last after applying skincare products and makeup
All cosmetic products, hairspray, perfumes, and lotion contain chemicals that can often react poorly with jewellery and affect its appearance.
Chemicals in lotions and perfume permanently damage the surfaces of porous gemstones like pearls.
Putting jewellery on after applying them all and letting them dry for a bit limits exposure and any potential damage.
Don’t wear jewellery when doing physical exercises or housework
Hard blows during sports, operating certain equipment, and sweating can damage jewellery by scratching or bending it.
All jewellery should be removed before exercising for comfort while performing these activities and for your personal safety. Your jewellery can get caught in equipment or clothing, leading to injury.
Additionally, sweat and moisture, especially in the steam rooms, can cause metals to tarnish or corrode over time.
Chlorinated water reacts with several precious metals like silver and platinum. Most of the water in your home has chlorine, so you should avoid household work wearing your precious jewels.
Don’t wear jewellery in swimming pools, shower, and spas
The level of chlorination in pools and spas is even more intense and leads to color changes and structural damage to your jewellery.
Make it a rule to always remove jewellery before entering chlorinated water.
Certain metals can react with water to cause dullness and surface damage:
- Shower water affects sterling silver jewellery, especially if it is not properly dried afterwards. The water can cause tarnishing and discolouration, which is difficult to remove.
- Gold-plated jewellery also reacts with shower water, especially if the plating is thin or worn. The water can cause the gold to fade or flake off, exposing the underlying metal.
- The general advice here is to take your jewellery off. If this is not an option and your jewellery is made out of solid gold, you are good to go.
Don’t shower with your jewelry on
However, dry it properly after removing all humidity and debris from products with which it may have come in contact since they could gunk up and make your jewellery lose its lustre.
The biggest concern will be losing some stones if the setting is loose. Water can facilitate their fall and drag them down the drain.
In short, always remember to avoid wearing your precious jewellery if you are going to be exposed to the 3S’: swim, sweat, steam.