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 even more, then cleaning every 30 days can be a good practice.
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 storage boxes such as one above can stop moisture from entering. Apart, they have separate compartments for each item so they never get tangled to scratched with each other.
You can also use anti-tarnish strips or bags in case moisture enters the box accidentally. 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 might not be available at home.
Asa normal case, it is ok to visit your jeweler every 6 months. It is just like doing a full-body checkup for your jewelry.
Your jeweler will examine the jewelry one by one and highlight any potential damages in written document. Then it is up to you to get repaired from same jeweler or not.
5. Avoiding Contact with Water
Water is the biggest villain for your jewelry. Whether its tap water or salt 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 is the only metal which is damaged the most by showering but it if recommended to never shower with your jewelry.
It is better to remove your 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.
6. Avoiding Harsh Chemicals or Abrasive Clothing
Oxidative agents like chlorine or hydrogen peroxide are commonly used bleaching agents in households. They do not only destroy the jewelry’s metal but also loosen the stones. 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 your 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 use only certified jewelry cleaning clothes for this purpose. And if you don’t have one in any particular case, use a soft cloth like velvet.
7. Removing Jewelry before Sleeping
This is one of the common mistake people do. Your jewelry can get scratches or even dents while sleeping. All of these rough touches decrease the overall health and life of your jewelry.
Certain jewelry bowls are used for jewelry placing and can be bought for as low as $20 on Amazon.
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 your 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. Note that yellow gold also comes in this category as it contains enough percentage of copper.
Similar thing can happen with perfumes as well.
Best way to avoid this thing is to wear your jewelry after about 10 minutes of applying these cosmetic items. In this way, the chance of skin coloring is minimum.
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.