Your jewelry collection is more than just something you wear. It likely contains precious pieces, those with monetary or sentimental value. According to the Jewelers Mutual Group, only 1 percent of people feel they know how to properly care for their jewelry.
There is action to take for the best care of your collection so it always sparkles at its best when you wear it. Below are five of the most common mistakes people make that damage their most beloved jewelry pieces, along with jewelry tips for correcting them.
Wearing Jewelry While Physically Active
Getting enough exercise is vital to your health. When you lift weights, go hiking, or hop on your treadmill, you should remove your jewelry beforehand. You should remove it for other physical activities, too, which include sports, gardening, and going to the gym. These put excess pressure on your fashion rings particularly, and can bend, scratch, or break metal jewelry and precious gemstones.
Solution: The fix for this mistake is simple. Before exercise, remove all jewelry: rings, necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. Store them in a jewelry box or pouch to keep your favorite pieces secure until you finish your exercise.
Exposing Your Jewelry to Harsh Chemicals
Strenuous activities expose you to chemicals that can damage your jewelry pieces. Examples include the chlorine in pool water and the chemicals in your household cleaning products. These chemicals are especially damaging to gold and silver and can erode the metal over time. Perfumes and chemicals in cleaning products can damage gemstones. They can cause discoloration and erode protective coatings.
Solution: Anytime you pull out your stash of household cleaners, remove all your jewelry. If you prefer put on rubber gloves before getting started. The same is true when you go swimming or apply beauty products. Always wait to put your valuable pieces on until after your makeup is in place and your hair products have settled.
Improper Storage of Jewelry
By now, you know that you shouldn't leave your jewelry on all the time, even your engagement ring. When you aren't wearing it, it's important to have a plan for proper storage to keep your delicate pieces safe and sound until you're ready to wear them again. Poor storage techniques can lead to tarnished metals, tangled chains, loose stones, dull gemstones, and other irreversible damage.
A cluttered jewelry box is one of the most common oversights when it comes to caring for jewelry, but it is easy to remedy.
Solution: Buy a jewelry box that features individual compartments or trays that allow you to keep your pieces separate. Prevent tangled necklaces by using a necklace tree. This prevents tangles. Add anti-tarnish strips to your storage container. They will prevent oxidation to your sterling silver, gold, and other expensive metals. This keeps them shiny and sparkling all the time.
Forgoing Regular Cleaning and Maintenance
All types of jewelry require proper care to keep them looking their best. Without regular cleaning, dirt, grime, and oil will build up, leading to dull gemstones, loose settings, and other issues. It's also important to have your jewelry inspected by a professional on a regular basis to detect potential issues, such as loose stones, early, allowing you to take action to keep your pieces in pristine condition.
Solution: Use mild soap and warm water to give your jewelry a quick wash. You can also look for home jewelry cleaners designed specifically for the type of jewelry you are cleaning. To reach crevices, use a soft brush to remove any accumulation of grime.
Have your jewelry inspected yearly by a professional to ensure that settings, prongs, stones, and clasps are secure. The Gemological Institute of America offers a wide range of helpful care guides for cleaning and maintaining your jewelry. Follow any care instructions that go with your jewelry when you buy it.
Wearing Your Jewelry All the Time
You should remove jewelry for exercise and other physical activities., but you should also remove it from time to time for other daily activities. This includes pieces meant for everyday wear. Wearing the same pieces repeatedly can cause premature wear and tear. Exposure to heat, moisture, and pressure can speed up the tarnishing process and cause weak settings, Many everyday tasks should be done without the presence of a favorite piece of jewelry. This includes a fabulous pair of stud earrings or a sparkling tennis bracelet.
Solution: Always remove all jewelry before showering, sleeping, or cooking. These activities involve hot and humid environments, and when you're not wearing it, store your jewelry in a safe place that is dry. This keeps your most treasured items looking their best with any outfit in mind.
Final Thoughts
You don't have to make it complicated or time-consuming to take good care of your favorite pieces of jewelry. Avoid any potential damage to your stud earrings, pendant necklaces, wedding and engagement rings and any other items in your jewelry box with proper care. The American Gem Society provides practical tips for cleaning your jewelry. A jewelry repair expert can help you decide how to fix damaged or broken items.
Your jewelry represents an investment with emotional value and financial worth. It makes sense to take the best care of it so you can enjoy it for years to come.
At Global Rings Jewelry, we have more than 40 years of experience in providing precious items that last. We're always happy to give advice and tips, pointing out common jewelry mistakes to ensure a lovely, long life for your treasured pieces. Treat yourself to a browse through our website today. You never know what may catch your eye!