While jewelry can often serve as a fashion statement, it can also be rather expensive. Therefore, if you’re looking to keep your jewelry around for the long haul, then you’ll need to commit to preserving it properly. Indra Jhaveri is the owner of AMI Diamond & Jewelry, a Phoenix jewelry items story, and while he agrees that the act of keeping your jewelry in good condition involves a fair degree of dedication, he also feels that the benefit of having long-lasting jewelry is definitely worth the effort. By sticking to the following tips, you can do you part to preserve your jewelry so that it sparkles for many years to come:
Get your jewelry cleaned
One of the best ways to keep your jewelry in good condition is to regularly have it professionally cleaned. Many jewelers offer jewelry cleaning as part of their store-based services, and some jewelers are even willing to offer free cleanings. If you can’t make it to the jeweler that often, then ask your jeweler how you can clean your jewelry on your own.
Have your jewelry checked
Even the finest jewelry can be affected by long-term wear and tear. Over time, pendant stones can come loose from their settings, and ring stones can start coming out of their prongs. By having your jewelry examined by a professional, you’ll minimize your chances of losing a precious stone and having to find a replacement.
Take off your jewelry before you clean
While some household cleaners are relatively mild, others are equipped with the strongest of germ-fighting ingredients. To protect your jewelry from decay, take off any bracelets and rings before breaking out the harsh chemicals.
Don’t cook with jewelry on
Certain foods can warp or degrade jewelry. Therefore, it’s a good idea to remove any bracelets and rings before you cook. This will also help you keep your jewelry cleaner overall.
Don’t mix jewelry with perfume and makeup
If you’re breaking out your finest jewelry for a special occasion or night out on the town, then you’ll probably want to put on some makeup and perfume as well. However, it’s best that you apply your makeup and spray your perfume before putting your jewelry on, as the chemicals in makeup and perfume can potentially damage certain stones and cause metals such as silver to tarnish.
Keep your jewelry out of the water
While you might not have the patience to remove your rings every time you wash your hands, you should definitely make a concerted effort to remove your jewelry before exposing it to water for extended periods of time. It’s a bad idea to shower with jewelry on, or to wash dishes while wearing a ring. The combination of water and soap particles can actually cause your jewelry to get dirty and lose their luster. Additionally, you should remove all jewelry from your body before heading into a hot tub or swimming pool, as chlorine is known to have a damaging effect on plenty of common metals and gems. By taking off your jewelry before a dunk, you can also minimize your chances of having it slip off and get permanently lost in the process.
Although preserving your jewelry involves a noteworthy commitment on your part, from a cost perspective, it’s much easier to take steps to protect your jewelry collection than to pay to replace it. And unless you’re willing to spend a chunk of your savings on jewelry restoration, you’re probably best served by following the above-listed guidelines and hanging on to the pieces that you’ve always regarded as your most precious.
