4 Tips for Protecting Your Jewelry From Damage
Your jewelry is something to take pride in. Whether you’re wearing an accenting bracelet, a family heirloom necklace, or a wedding ring, every piece makes a statement and tells a story. What you want to avoid, of course, is telling the story of how your necklace got scratched or one of your diamonds went missing.
Jewelry is designed to be both beautiful and durable, but no piece of jewelry is 100% accident-proof. Storing one the improper way, wearing one day-to-day, and accidental bumps or nicks are some of the most common ways to permanently damage your favorite piece of jewelry for good. Considering how expensive and, most importantly, special these pieces are to you, we want to be able to help you protect your jewelry from damage.
Use Proper Storage
First and foremost, let’s talk about keeping your jewelry safe when you’re not even wearing it. You may have noticed that a majority of jewelry boxes are made of wood and lined with fabric. There’s a very good reason for this: when in storage, jewelry must be kept dry or risk becoming tarnished. Fabric-lined wooden boxes are designed with this sort of protection in mind and will keep access moisture from impacting your gold and silver surfaces.
Keep Gold & Silver Separate
Speaking of gold and silver, it’s recommended that you not store the two together. This is because gold is actually a rather fragile metal and its surface can be scratched or damaged by hard gemstones. The best way to properly store your gold pieces is individually, as to avoid such an accident. Velvet pouches are the safest and most convenient options for this.
Know When to Take It Off
If you own rings, then you no doubt have lost a ring or two. Everyone does, and that’s because we use our fingers for so much throughout every day. Whether it’s accidentally pulling one off with a winter glove or having one slip off into the bottom of a pool, rings are the most accident-prone jewelry pieces out there.
It’s important to remember when to simply take your rings off. Are you going to be doing yard work, working with your hands in the dirt or weeds? Are you going for a quick dip in the pool? Maybe you’re going to do something physical, like a sport or a quick jog? There really is no reason to wear something as important as your ring while doing any of those activities.
While it would be tempting to just put your ring in your pocket – especially if you only plan on having it off for a short while – that’s the quickest way to lose your precious piece. Take the time to place it in a protective case, preferably in your house, and you won’t have to worry later.
Keep It Clean
Even when you are wearing your pieces, there are common ways to wear down your jewelry. The natural oils your body produces can, over time, tarnish any piece of jewelry. The same could be said – maybe even doubly so – for lotions like sunscreen. The chemicals found within these substances can eat away at the plating of your jewelry, so it’s important to try and make sure your skin is nice and dry before slipping your ring back on.
Finally, washing your jewelry every once in a while is a great way to keep it shining bright and oil-free. There are many jewelry-cleaning kits available on the market, but a lot of pieces can benefit from a simple wash in warm water, mild soap, and a very soft-bristled toothbrush!
Jewelry Repair in Frederick, MD
No matter how careful you are with your jewelry, sometimes accidents happen. From broken chains to missing stones, the team at Gold Thumb Jewelry can help you with all your jewelry repair needs. Call today for an estimate!