How to care for your jewelry

So much has been said when it comes to why you should buy a special piece of jewelry, or what the latest trends are in jewelry- but, has it ever come to question how one should be taking care of their precious jewelry when it goes home with them? I believe this aspect is seldom spoken about by jewelry retailers, designers, or manufacturers but the fact remains that follow up care for your jewelry will ensure its longevity which will mean you can enjoy your jewelry for years to come.

 

I have seen countless number of women mismanage their jewelry. Some simply toss their sterling silver in with their costume jewelry. Some mix yellow gold and rhodium, and rose gold all together! Heck, I've even seen necklaces, rings, bracelets- the lot- piled up high in a narrow vase for safe keeping- yikes! To ensure the longevity of your pieces, follow these cardinal rules, ladies:

 

1. Mixing metals is OK, but not in storage!

 

Long gone are the days when we were told to match our handbags to our shoes, our hats to our outfits and the buttons on our jacket to our jewelry. These days, feel free to mix metals when you wear your jewelry, and have fun with it! Jewelry, after all, is a personal expression of style, and you should have fun with it!

 

2. Professional cleaning once a year, or more often. 

 

It may seem counterintuitive, but for sterling silver, the pieces you wear more often generally do not need to be polished as often. This is because when worn, it polishes itself naturally. Ever noticed how silver pieces seldom worn blacken so quickly? When worn, silver polishes itself by friction- rubbing up against skin and clothes. Want your silver to stay looking new and shiny? Wear it more often! For lesser worn pieces, aim to polish yourself, or professionally, once every 6 months.

 

3. Primp, then shine.

 

Yes, we've all heard it before, but the saying rings true. Apply jewelry after lotions, perfumes and powders have settled. The harsh chemicals and fragrances can interact with silver and make the process of tarnishing speed up. Harsh chemicals and perfume can also aid in the wearing down of the gold plating. Preferably, do not apply perfume to the wrists or the middle of the chest where you jewelry sits. It's best to apply perfume to pressure points on the body-stick to the back of the ears, elbows and back of the knees. Of course, it’s inevitable that some lotions and powders may get on your beloved pieces, so when it does happen, it's a good practice to wipe down with a dry cloth.