Jewelry Care Tips
Author: Michael Ray
Article Posted: 08/10/2007
Here are some suggestions on protecting your jewelry while wearing or storing them.
When you are not wearing your jewelry, keep them protected from humidity and temperatures, sunlight, dust, grease and contact with other pieces of jewelry. To store jewelry pieces you will not wear for a while, put them in individual cardboard boxes like the boxes the jewelry came in. Do not store jewelry in plastic bags for any length of time. Your jewelry needs air circulation, instead use acid-free tissue paper. Jewelry trays lined with velvet pads are available from jewelry supply houses. The trays stack nicely and you can fit quite a lot into reasonable space.
Its best not to handle your jewelry after putting on perfume, cosmetics or lotion, or when your hands are oily or sticky as this may tarnish it, especially if it’s made of 10K gold. When ever possible, wear white cotton gloves when handling your jewelry.
Put your pearl jewelry on when you are ready to go. Pearls are sensitive to hairspray and skin oils. Pearls are attacked by all acids, which alter their color and luster. Wipe your pearls with a clean soft cloth and store them in the original packaging or a soft cloth bag.
Avoid wearing jewelry in swimming pools or hot tubs that have chlorine disinfectants. Chlorine can pit and dissolve metal, causing prongs to snap and mountings to break apart. Avoid wearing jewelry while participating in sports, housework, grading, etc. Mountings can be damaged, and stones can be chipped, scratched and cracked. If you can’t remove your jewelry, wear protective gloves.