Most things can last long through proper use. Special things, like jewellery, are meant to be preserved and cherished. Some jewelleries serve as heirlooms through generations. How they could last that long? It all depends on the love and care they are handled with.
A Silvery Plight
Silver is notorious for tarnishing easily and for collecting surface scratches. Yet, you can keep your silver jewellery clean simply by wearing it, contact with your skin and clothing can gently polish it.
Wash light tarnish off your silver jewellery in lukewarm soapy water and dry it with a soft cloth immediately. Don’t use toothpaste and “silver-cleaning products” for they will only scratch your jewellery.
Use a jeweller’s polishing cloth to clean up severely tarnished silver. The cloth will also leave a protective coating on the jewellery. Make sure to remove first surface dirt by washing before rubbing the silver piece with the cloth to prevent dirt from grinding against the surface of the jewellery.
Minimise tarnishing by first wrapping silver jewellery in acid-free tissue paper, and then sealing them inside plastic zip lock bags without any excess air.
Good as Gold
Gold is not high-maintenance since it does not corrode, rust or tarnish. However, keep gold jewellery away from harsh chemicals such as household cleaning products for they can cause serious damage. Clean gold jewellery with a soft cloth or warm soapy water, or sometimes with a soft-bristled brush.
A Pearl of Wisdom
Pearls are very delicate, organic gems. Never soak or wash pearls in water, and don’t expose them to perfumes or household chemicals to prevent discoloration. After every use, wipe pearl jewellery with a soft dry cloth.
Let’s Set on Stones and Beads
Soft or organic gems like amber and turquoise should never be immersed in water. Use a soft dry or damp cloth instead to remove dirt and clean the setting with a wet cotton tip.
Soak harder gems in warm soapy water; then gently clean them with a soft-bristle brush after several minutes. Use soft dry cotton cloth in cleaning beaded jewellery instead of commercial liquid cleaners that only leave residues.
You might discover that accumulated grime may be the only thing holding a stone in place, especially for stone-set jewellery worn for long periods of time. Inspect your jewellery regularly for cracks or damage, and take them for repair once you spot stones coming loose out of their settings.
In General
Put on your jewellery last after morning preparation rituals, and take them off first later. Cosmetics, cleaning products, and petroleum-based products have chemicals that can cause discoloration and loosening of gemstones in their settings. Notice also that some careers and activities, like extreme sports or kitchen jobs, don’t mix well with jewellery.
Watch out for cord stretching or fraying in your jewellery: bracelets and necklaces should be restrung every three years. Make sure to check that clasps and hooks are still working fine.
Take off your jewellery before taking a shower, washing dishes, and swimming on the beach or aquatic centres. Water will damage any type of jewellery, resulting to stretching, cracking and even discolouring.
Storage Tips
The store pieces of jewellery separately in compartmentalised boxes, pouches or small cloth bags to avoid scratching each other.
Close the clasps of necklaces before storing them so that they do not tangle; lay them flat, as with all other beaded jewellery, so as not to stretch the stringing material. Store your jewellery in a dust-free area, away from changes in light and temperature.
Having trouble handling your emeralds, topaz; black pearls Perth jewellery experts can be trusted to take care of your concerns.