Jewels are one of the most precious and favorite accessory, not only of a woman, but also of a man. The knowledge and the way in which you can take care of and protect your jewels can contribute significantly in the conservation of the beauty and shine of your jewelry in order to last for a long period of time.
In the following article you will find useful advices, based on the biggest gemological Institutes, namely GIA and IG. We reassure you that you will learn how to take care of your jewelry just like a jewel expert.

First of all, you need to pay attention to 3 basic things that you have to do and also 3 basic things that you have to avoid. The following advices concern mainly jewels that are crafted in 14k or 18k gold.
 

Always:

  • Apply creams, cosmetics, pharmaceutical products, hair products and perfumes before wearing your jewelry.
    Even by washing your hands or washing your hair, residues of soap could be found under the stones of your favorite ring or chemical substances could harm the pearl’s surface or gem’s surface with high porosity (such as turquoise), permanently.

  • When removing your jewels, wipe them with a clean, soft fabric to remove possible oils or sweat.

  • Store your jewels in boxes coated with fabric, in special cases or even wrap each jewel around with paper to avoid metal damages.

 

Never:

  • Don’t wear jewels when doing physical exercises such as house holding, gardening or athletic activities.

  • Avoid the contact with cleaning products such as bleach etc. Chemical substances are able to destroy or even decolorize precious metals such as gold, silver and platinum while it is also possible to harm some color stones.

  • Do not wear your jewels in pool water that consists of chlorine or in Jacuzzi.

 

Cleaning Tips:

  • Clean your jewels in a safe place. For example avoid cleaning them near the kitchen sink where you could drop you jewel or a piece of it and lose it.

  • Use only a soft brush. Avoid using sharp and hard materials to clean your jewels.

  • Clean your jewels often. Lotions, soaps and other cosmetics modify diamonds’ or gemstones’ surfaces making them look blurry.

  • For jewels that are too dirty, it is preferable to be cleaned professionally.

  • Clean the jewels with diamonds and also with synthetic stones with a soft brush soaked in warm water with a soft detergent. Rinse them with running water and wipe them with a soft fabric.

  • Do not expose your pearl jewelry to dissolving chemicals. Store each of your jewels in a soft case.
    Pearls can be easily harmed. Use a new, clean makeup brush and warm soapy water to clean them. Place them upon a towel in order to dry them. Wait until the jewel is completely dry because the wet silky rope used to connect the pearls can attract dirt.

  • Do not expose the precious stones to chemicals or disposing chemicals without knowing the specific way of cleaning them.

 

Tips for long-lasting jewelry:

  • Be careful with light and heat.
    Light and heat can have a serious impact upon the durability and the color of gemstones, just like the sun light can harm our skin. The great exposure to light and heat could cause serious damage to various precious stones such as the amethyst and the topaz. Pearls and other sensitive material could be whitened under extreme exposure to light. Other stones, especially amber, could be darkened with the passage of time when exposed to extreme light. The extreme heat and the sudden changes in temperature could also cause damages to some precious stones. The heat can easily remove the natural humidity that the precious stones need to create their unique beauty. Pearls, for instance, can be dried, broken and decolorized. Opals can be white or brown and also can project some slight cracks and lose their property to switch their color.

  • Store your jewels carefully.
    The correct way to store the jewels is usually omitted. They were not meant to just be dropped in a drawer or be abandoned upon a piece of furniture because in that way serious damages could be caused. Most of the jewels are being delivered in a special jewelry box given by the Jewelry shop and this is the best place to store them. For example, silver jewels should be stored in a pouch or fabric tissue. Jewelry cases, which are also appropriate for storage, have distinct places for rings, necklaces and bracelets. However special attention should be given to pearls and opal since they attract humidity from the air and the storage in a dry area, such as a security boxes, could sometimes cause damages. When travelling, protect your jewels from scratches or other damages by place them in a distinct box or case.

  • Maintain your jewelry certifications in a safe place away from your jewelry collection for greater safety.

  • Have your jewelry cleaned and tested by a jewelry specialist at least once a year regarding damages, loose prongs and their general condition.
    Many Jewelry shops offer a free of charge check or professional cleaning of jewelry from time to time. Find a Jewelry shop that acquires professional knowledge and good reputation, in which you can trust your protection of your favorite jewelry.

  • Approximately every 2 years, have your white gold jewels, especially the rings that can be easily harmed, platinum plated and also make sure to polish your jewels that have lost their shine.

  • If you have pearl necklaces or bracelets that you are frequently wearing them, you should occasionally give them to have their knotting checked and renewed.
    By this process the jewel is being recreated so that there would be no danger to be cut off, fell and be lost.

  • Choose the jewels that you wear in your daily life to be harmonized with your way of living and your activity schedule.

  • You should consider every jewel a little treasure since one day it could be a part of your family heirloom.