Bharat SainiLast Updated on April 4, 2014 by Bharat Saini
Pretty much everyone loves jewellery, and pretty much everyone has a huge collection of it. But do you take good care of your jewellery, or are you guilty of leaving it in a tangled mess at the bottom of a drawer? If you have invested in some lovely pieces, like some handmade Scottish jewellery, it’s a good idea to follow these tips to make sure your jewellery stays looking beautiful for many years to come.
Avoid Contact with Water
Try to avoid getting your jewellery wet as the water can tarnish metal and warp wooden jewellery. Depending on the design of your jewellery, the water can also damage fixings or the weaken glue which is holding embellishments together. It’s a good idea to leave a small dish beside the kitchen sink so you can remove your rings before doing the washing up. This ensures that your rings stay dry and you don’t misplace them by taking them off and forgetting where you left them! Be sure to remove any other jewellery, such as necklaces and bracelets, before getting in the shower or bath.
Display and Organise Neatly
It can be tempting to just throw your jewellery into a messy heap on your bedside table after taking it off at the end of the day, but organising it neatly will not only keep things looking tidy but will also help to look after your jewellery. Invest in a jewellery stand to hang necklaces from; this will prevent them from getting tangled and damaging the chains. Store rings and earrings in jewellery boxes with compartments so you can easily find what you are looking for. Another cool way to display loose items like bracelets and rings is by using a vintage cake stand; just set up the cake stand on your dressing table and fill it up with all your favourite jewellery.
Avoid Contact with Beauty and Cleaning Products
The chemicals and acids used in most beauty and cleaning products can damage jewellery, even though they are in very mild concentrations. The acids and alcohols in hairspray and perfume can corrode and tarnish jewellery, so make sure you put on your jewellery after you have finished getting ready to avoid spraying them accidentally. Face creams, moisturisers, hand soaps and makeup can also damage jewellery, so be careful when applying these types of products and be sure to wipe jewellery clean if they do come in contact.
Clean Your Jewellery Regularly
To keep your jewellery looking spick and span, be sure to clean it every few weeks. The best way to clean your jewellery will depend on the type of material it is made from; it’s best to check with the designer so you don’t end up damaging the jewellery by using the wrong cleaning method. If in doubt, just use a soft, dry cloth and give your jewellery a quick polish. Doing this on a regular basis should help to prevent the need for “deep cleaning”.
Store Carefully When Travelling
If you’re going off on holiday, don’t just throw your jewellery into a pocket inside your suitcase. Use a padded fabric jewellery roll to store your jewellery in. It folds up nice and small so won’t take up too much room in your bag, and the padded fabric will help to protect your jewellery from any knocks or bumps during travelling. This should also help to prevent you from losing any jewellery as it will be safely stored in individual compartments, rather than being loose inside your suitcase.
What are your top tips for caring for jewellery?
Fay Gourlay from www.madefromscotland.com is passionate about handmade Scottish jewellery.
