Every jewellery piece you own will have a sentimental reason or memory attached that makes you want to wear and keep it forever. However, improper care techniques can lead to its degradation, including tarnishes, dulling or scratches. We’ve rounded up 12 easy tips to protect your precious jewellery – necklaces, bracelets, rings and earrings – from premature damage. These include giving your pieces a quick clean after wearing to remove any oils (including our own sebum) to keeping them stored in air-tight bags to reduce contact with ambient moisture and air.
1. Keep it away from wood
Avoid leaving your jewellery on chemically treated surfaces or on wood which can stain or speed up the tarnishing process.
2. Keep it in a ziplock bag
Over time, your jewellery comes in contact with moisture and air which causes it to eventually tarnish. Put it in a ziplock bag and squeeze out all the air before sealing.
3. Store your silver with chalk
Chalk absorbs moisture, or if you find that dusty, invest in some dehumidifiers or those small silica packs.
4. Keep your jewellery dry and away from skincare
Don’t wear your jewellery then apply lotions, perfume or hairspray. Never wear silver jewellery when you go swimming or at the sauna.
5. Avoid leaving it in sunlight
The colour of gemstones will become dull when exposed to too much light.
6. Put your pieces on rotation
Jewellery isn’t meant to be worn 24/7, give it a break and show some love to other pieces of jewellery.
7. Keep gold jewellery separately from silver jewellery
Gold jewellery scratches easily, so keep them in individual soft cloth bags or the original boxes they came it.
8. Give it a wipe
At the end of the day, wipe your jewellery with an anti-tarnish cloth before storing it away. This will make sure any lingering moisture, oils or dust is gone.
9. Do not use toothpaste
That home remedy is too abrasive and will damage your jewellery in the long run.
10. Use dishwashing soap and warm water
For pieces that are dull, filmy, or starting to discolour, mix a few drops of mild dish soap with warm water and rub the jewellery with a soft cloth. Rinse in cool water and buff with a cloth until dry.
11. Give your jewellery a no-soak treatment
For pearls and other porous stones, use a small makeup brush dipped in shampoo and water to clean. Use a damp cloth to wipe the pearls.
12. Apply nail polish
For costume jewellery, try applying a thin layer of clear nail polish on any part of the jewellery that comes into contact with your skin.
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