Caring for Jewelry

Caring for Jewelry

Silver jewelry loves to tarnish. Plated jewelry loves to lose its plating. Then there’s scratches, gemstones going dull, and damage from chemicals.

Several environmental factors can cause tarnishing. If you store your jewelry in wooden boxes or on chemically treated surfaces, you will speed up the discoloration. It’s best to store items in plastic zip bags, eliminating as much of the air as possible before sealing.

Water is both good and bad for your jewelry. Humidity is the bane of silver. Silica packs safeguard your jewelry by absorbing moisture. Or you can use my grandmother’s trick of a stick of chalk. Add several to your jewelry case. You should also remove silver before swimming or engaging in an activity where you will sweat.

Clean your jewelry after each wearing by wiping with an anti-tarnish cloth. Sunshine® Cloth is one example. Don’t scrub. If your piece is silver-plated or gold-plated, you’ll speed the loss of the plating. I’ve also used a microfiber cloth when I take off a necklace. They are non-abrasive and get into the crevices better.

For a deeper cleaning on pieces that need some extra love, use warm water with a few drops of mild dish soap such as Mrs. Meyers or Dawn. I rub the piece with my fingers, but you can also use a soft cloth. Rinse and dry thoroughly. Remember, moisture is not your jewelry’s friend, so make sure it is completely dry before storing. If your piece has a porous stone, like a pearl, you’ll want to avoid overdoing the cleaning process. A brief rub with the soap and water, a brief rub with clean water, and another brief rub with a soft cloth to dry.

Sunlight makes your gemstones sparkle, but it can also cause the color to grow dull. When not on your wrist, finger, or around your neck, keep them undercover.

Never put on your jewelry and then spritz your hair, splash yourself with perfume, or apply lotion that comes in contact with your jewelry. You may love it, but your jewelry won’t.

Besides keeping air and moisture from your jewelry, by storing each piece in its own little baggy you’ll avoid pieces scratching each other. Gold is easy to scratch. You’ll also avoid the tangles. à Clef ships all it’s jewelry in individual baggies. You can buy them in various sizes at craft stores.

Properly cared for, precious metal jewelry can last for a lifetime. Plated jewelry won’t last as long, but it will be around a few extra years if you treat it with lovingkindness.