How to Clean and Care for Your Jewelry: 3 Essential Tips to Preserve Your Pieces
Any piece of jewelry, regardless of the material it is made from, needs special care. Because jewelry is made of metal, much of it oxidizes on contact with air, which causes the metal to "tarnish." However, when the metal is precious (silver, gold and platinum), a good polish brings back the jewelry's original shine and color.
In this post, we cover the key points for caring for your jewelry so it lasts forever and becomes a family heirloom! Read on!
1. How to Clean Your Jewelry
How you clean a piece of jewelry depends on what it is made of: metal, metal with stones, or pieces with pearls and mother-of-pearl.
For metal jewelry (silver and gold)
No fuss, straightforward and simple: clean your jewelry with mild liquid soap and warm running water. Don't leave your pieces soaking, as this can damage them.
For 925 sterling silver pieces that have become "dirty" due to oxidation or contact with chemicals such as perfumes, lotions, etc., we also recommend the well-known jewelry polishing cloth (the so-called "magic cloth"), which is treated with products made specifically for cleaning jewelry. Abrasive and corrosive products are not recommended, as they are too harsh and will damage your piece.
For jewelry with stones
We recommend washing with warm (not hot) water, a mild detergent and a soft brush or cloth. Rinse after cleaning and use tissues to dry your jewelry.
Jewelry with pearls and mother-of-pearl
These pieces need different, but no less important, care. They should be cleaned with a dry cloth or dry cotton to remove any traces of sweat or cosmetics. Pieces with pearls should not be washed, as moisture can weaken the thread that holds them together.
Always remember:
- NEVER boil water and leave your jewelry soaking in it. Excessive heat can damage your jewelry;
- NEVER leave your jewelry soaking in any kind of chemical product, whether detergent or a specific cleaning solution;
- clean your jewelry before putting it away.
2. Storage
To store your jewelry, always choose a jewelry box or a dedicated place for it. Don't just toss it into your closet! Your pieces can rub against other jewelry and clothing and get scratched and dented in the process. Always choose clean, dry places, away from humidity and sunlight. If you keep all your jewelry in a single jewelry box, separate the pieces with velvet or a soft cloth.
3. Everyday Care
To make your jewelry last, pay attention to a few points:
- avoid contact between your jewelry and lotions, perfumes or cosmetics, since they contain chemicals that can damage your jewelry;
- take your pieces off before going into the ocean or a pool! Besides the risk of damaging them, you run the risk of losing them;
- avoid wearing your jewelry while playing any kind of sport or doing physical exercise, since sweat speeds up the oxidation process;
- don't leave your jewelry exposed to excessive sun or heat;
Now that you know how to care for jewelry, you're ready to choose the piece that suits you best here at Loft Masculino! By following these tips, we're sure you'll keep your jewelry for much longer and enjoy all the elegance and sophistication a fine piece can convey! Visit our website and choose the jewelry that best matches your personality and style!
