As well as the amount of money likely spent, precious jewellery often holds a lot of sentimental value. Out of the box, your prized pieces will shine and sparkle, but this will begin to fade over time. Therefore, it’s essential to take proper care of your collection, which involves cleaning, proper storage, and dressing in the correct order.
Last On and First Off
When you are getting ready for the day, you’re likely not giving thought to what stage your jewellery is put on. However, you should know that lotions, perfumes, and hair sprays can damage and dull your pieces. Therefore, to avoid unnecessary damage, make sure that putting on your jewellery is the last part of your routine and the first item taken off at the end of the day.
Wipe After Use
Dust, oils, and moisture will cling to your jewellery throughout the day, which is why you need to wipe it with an anti-tarnish cloth. Additionally, as an extra precaution, you can invest in an Ultra Violet-C box, which will sanitise your jewellery.
Keep it Zip-Locked
Tarnishing happens when jewellery comes into contact with air and moisture, which can happen when you leave pieces out or loose in jewellery boxes. Therefore, to avoid contact with air, place your jewellery into a zip-lock bag and press the air out before closing.
Gemstones and Diamonds
After buying a bespoke piece of gemstone or diamond jewellery from high-end stores like regalhattongarden.co.uk, you will want to protect your investment from losing its shimmer. To do this, you can use a very mild hand wash mixed with water – you only need a couple of drops. Then, using a soft toothbrush, clean the piece under the tap. To avoid losing parts down the drain, put a filter into the plug hole.
Platinum, Silver, and Gold Jewellery
Typically, jewellery arrives in boxes lined with velvet, which looks fantastic. However, the glue used in the boxes can strip away the colour of diamonds, which will leave you with an expensive replacement bill. As an alternative, we recommend storing this type of jewellery in a muslin or soft cotton-lined box.
When it comes to cleaning plain diamond and gold jewellery, it’s best to use an alcohol-containing sanitiser. However, if you have plain platinum pieces, you should use mild soap mixed with warm water. Finally, your precious silvers can be brought back to life with lime juice.
Avoid Heat and Light
If your jewellery has gemstones on, it’s important to keep it away from heat and light, as this will draw out the colour. Typically, you should avoid wearing jewellery with kunzite, amethyst, and topaz when the sun is beating down. Additionally, you should take measures to avoid the heat during storage – so don’t place it on a shelf above your radiator.
Getting the most out of your jewellery is a priority, especially when it comes to sentimental pieces. Luckily, if you adopt the good practices outlined above, you’ll extend the life significantly and keep them looking brand new.