Jewelry Preservation Techniques
Jewelry preservation is an important step of owning it. And it becomes a necessity when unforgettable memories are connected to it. In this article we’ll list down 8 jewelry preservation techniques for maintaining jewelry longevity.
Maintaining Jewelry Longevity
Here are 8 jewelry preservation techniques to help you in keeping the glamor of your jewelry intact.
1. Regular Cleaning
Cleaning is the most important aspect of jewelry. Just like every other thing, jewelry also needs cleaning from time to time. Some people might think that fine jewelry does not require cleaning or it might get damaged by it. But in reality, all of these all just misconceptions.
Frequency of cleaning really depends on a number of factors:
- Usage
- Type of metal
- Location
If you wear your jewelry more frequently like 2 to 3 times a week or more, then cleaning every 30 days can be a good practice. For cleaning, just dip your jewelry in a warm bowl of water with soap. Once cleaned, take it out and rinse it with water. After that, dry with a soft cloth.
When it comes to type of metals, silver and copper based jewelries require extensive cleaning as they can develop tarnishing over a shorter period of time. Apart from these two, yellow gold made in less than 14k can also develop tarnishing over time. So, it is better to do cleaning every 2 months.
For rest of metals, cleaning every 2 to 3 months is fine.
Location can also play a big role for silver and copper metal jewelries. For example, people living near the coastal areas where humidity level is high can experience faster deterioration than non-coastal areas. So, it is better to regular look for any potential dirt or tarnish spots and clean them immediately.
2. Jewelry Storage
Storing your jewelry in a cool and dry place is a must. A common misconception that surrounds people is that jewelry can only be damaged when it is out of the storage box. Not all jewelry boxes are equal. Specifically ones made with wood can damage your jewelry easily.
Air tight jewelry storage boxes such as one shown above can stop moisture from entering. Apart, they have separate compartments for each item so they never get tangled or get scratched against each other.
You can also use anti-tarnish strips or bags in case moisture enters the box accidentally. This can be a good addition if you live near the coastal areas where humidity level is high. All of these things will ensure the perfect storage for your jewelry.
3. Get Jewelry Insured
Jewelry can be stolen, damaged or lost at any time. Insurance companies allow jewelry owners to insure their priceless pieces in case of any of these incidents.
It costs around 1 to 2 percent per year of the total cost of a jewelry item. For example, a diamond ring valued at $5000 will have an insurance of around $50 to $100 per year. Its important to read all the terms and conditions of insurance company before accepting.
A typical jewelry insurance document looks like this.
4. Visit Your Jeweler
Visiting your jeweler regularly can be beneficial if you have a wide collection of jewelry. Sometimes, as a jewelry owner, you might not notice potential problems or things which might lead to a problem. This requires a specific set of tools which only jewelers have. Jewelers also have the experience of detecting such problems all the time.
Jeweler will examine each and every piece of jewelry collection one by one and highlight any potential damages in a written document. For example, clasp of a necklace might be loose or stone of a ring is loose. Minor damages can cost about $20 with bigger damages costing more depending on the damage.
As a normal case, it is ok to visit jeweler every 6 months. It is just like doing a full-body checkup for your jewelry.
5. Avoiding Contact with Water
Water is the biggest villain for jewelry. Whether its tap water, salt water, or chlorinated water, damage with regular contact is going to be prominent. Common places where jewelry comes in contact with water are kitchen, washroom, laundry, swimming pools and beaches. Typically, silver and copper are the metals which get the biggest damage. Other metals like gold and platinum can also be damaged by water but not at that level as of silver and copper.
It is better to remove jewelry before doing any of such activities and temporarily store them in a dry and cool bag. Or you can at least have jewelry racks in laundry and bathrooms.
Saving your jewelry from water can retain its shine and glamor. It will also remain useful for a longer period of time.
6. Avoiding Harsh Chemicals or Abrasive Cleaning
Oxidative agents like chlorine or hydrogen peroxide are commonly used bleaching agents in households. They do not only destroy jewelry’s metal but also loosen the gemstones. Other potential damages include jewelry turning black or losing its shine. That’s why it becomes very necessary to avoid these chemicals at all costs.
Make sure you remove jewelry specifically rings or bracelets before dealing with these chemicals.
Some people also use hard or abrasive clothes to clean their jewelry or drying purposes. You can’t do anything worse than this to your jewelry. It will lead to scratches or even dents. Make sure you only use certified jewelry cleaning clothes. And if you don’t have one in any particular case, use a soft cloth like velvet.
This will help you restore jewelry’s shine.
7. Removing Jewelry before Sleep
This is one of the common mistake people do. Your jewelry can get scratches or even dents while sleeping. Wonder how? Whenever you sleep, jewelry comes in contact with different materials that can create scratches. All of these rough touches decrease the overall health and life of jewelry.
You can use a jewelry bowl where jewelry can be placed while sleeping. These bowls are generally placed a side table.
These bowls are inexpensive and can be bought on Amazon for as low as $20. They might cost a few dollars but will surely safe a lot more in terms of jeweler charges.
8. Avoiding Cosmetic Items
Cosmetic items like perfumes and lotions contain strong chemicals which can react quickly with jewelry and bring unwanted results. For example, certain lotion types can lead to skin turning green or black specifically when you wear copper based jewelry. Coloration of skin is not a big health problem but can impact your overall appearance. Note that yellow gold also comes in this category as it contains enough percentage of copper to react with your skin.
Similar thing can also happen with perfumes as well.
Best way to avoid this thing is to wear jewelry after about 10 minutes of applying these cosmetic items. In this way, the chance of skin coloring is minimum.
Common FAQ’s about Jewelry Preservation
Here are some common FAQ’s about jewelry preservation.
1. What to do if my jewelry gets damaged or gets bigger scratches?
Visit your jeweler immediately. In this situation, its better to get professional help.
2. Can I Shower with my Jewelry?
If your jewelry is made of silver or copper, then you should not in any situation. If it is any other metal, it is still recommended to avoid it.
3. Can I use the storage box given by the jeweler?
Yes, you can use it if it is in good condition.
4. Can Humidity damage jewelry?
Yes, high humidity can damage jewelry. High humidity places or occasions such as rainy days require greater attention.
Conclusion
Jewelry pieces are an important part of people’s lives. They don’t only allow you to craft your own style but also help in living memories. This makes keeping their preservation important than ever. By practicing the above mentioned techniques, you will surely be able to maintain jewelry longevity.