Want your jewelry to look like new? The answer is simple: proper care. Here are some tips on how to take care of your most beloved pieces and have them always looking like new.
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Always remove all jewelry before washing your hands.
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- Never ever get your jewelry wet.
- Water or any sort of liquid substance is fashion jewelry’s (costume jewelry) most hated arch nemesis. When you get your fashion jewelry wet, prepare for the color of the metal to change. Think that sterling silver is safe from water? Think again. Water can actually stain sterling silver. With that said, remove all jewelry before jumping into a pool, getting into the shower, and washing your hands.
- Properly store your jewelry
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| A fabulous jewelry stand like this is functional and cool. |
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| Zip bags are the best storage methods. |
- It is easy to lose a stone from your favorite ring or tangle that beautiful necklace when everything is thrown in a jewelry box. One way to store your necklaces and earrings is by hanging them. Try taking an old frame and replace the back with mesh. Hang your earrings on the mesh (you’ll never lose an earring again). You can add hooks to the top of the frame for your necklaces or you can package them individually in sandwich bags. Storing your jewelry in zip bags is the best way to store your jewelry because it protects your precious pieces from all the elements. If you can’t find these bags at an office supply store, try asking your local jeweler.
- No jewelry cleaner on costume jewelry
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| Silver cloths are perfect for shining jewelery. |
- Don’t ever use jewelry cleaner on your fashion jewelry. The chemicals are way too harsh and they will strip the metals. Jewelry cleaner is only for silver and gold; however, it isn’t always the best. When it is used improperly or on the sparkly stones on your jewelry, the cleaner will tarnish the silver or gold and your once sparkly stone will cease to shine. A safer and effective way of shining jewelry is to use a silver cloth, which is basically a thick cotton cloth.
Tip: Don’t know how to differentiate your sterling silver and 14 karat white gold jewelry from your fashion jewelry? Look for “.925” to be marked on the metal. If you find this stamp, it is sterling silver. If the stamp reads “14k,” in fact it is 14 karat gold. If you see neither, fashion jewelry (which is made from a combination of metals) it is.
