For thousands of years, people have used jewelry to adorn themselves, express powerful sentiments, and create a strong and memorable image for themselves. From the cheapest baubles to the most expensive and luxurious diamonds, gold, and jewels, a single piece of jewelry can make a major statement that cannot be avoided. These informative tips will leave you with a new appreciation of jewelry.
Take a polishing cloth to each piece of jewelry in your collection. This is an easy way to get shine without chemicals and solvents. You can use the two-sided cloth to polish your jewelry in the same way you would polish a drinking glass. Use one side of the cloth for polishing, and reserve the other side for shining it afterward.
If you normally use specially purchased jewelry cloth to keep your jewelry clean and shiny, be sure to use fresh cloths since the dirt and grit left on the cloth from a previous use will now leave scrapes and pits in the piece you are trying to clean and polish.
Never use toothpaste or other abrasives to clean metal or stones. You will find countless websites that recommend toothpaste as a cleaner, but this is not an accepted practice by fine jewelers. Although the abrasives in toothpaste are great for your teeth, they can damage the surface of the metal requiring the skill of a professional to butt and refinish. Toothpaste will also scuff the surface on amber, lapis, turquoise and other soft stones resulting in the fine polish which was produced by the skilled lapidary to be permanently marred.
Oxygen in the air will tarnish Sterling Silver, so properly storing your jewelry will help minimize that oxidation. Here are some storage tips:
Store individual pieces separately.
Store each piece in an airtight bag.
Place in an area with low humidity.
Keep clasps/closures unhooked.
Place a packet of silica or piece of chalk in the storage bag.
Make sure you don’t wear your fine jewelry all of the time. When you are performing housekeeping tasks or washing your hands with soapy water, remove your jewelry. Swimming in a pool is another great reason for you to remove your fine jewelry to keep it safe. Everyday harsh chemicals can severely damage fine jewelry, sometimes ruining it beyond repair.
Treat you costume jewelry with the same care you would give your fine jewelry and it should give you years of enjoyment.