jewellery care

Take care of your jewellery and it will shine for years. While every piece of jewellery looks beautiful, they can end up looking faded and may lose their shine if not cared for well. If you want your jewellery to look as good as new, then you need to take good care of it. Follow these simple steps to take care of your jewellery.

GENERAL CARE

When exposed to chemicals, the surface of your jewellery will discolour or damages, sometimes permanently. The chemicals in question actually lie all around us – in cleaning products, swimming pools and even our sweat. More importantly, you can find it in our hair products, makeup, lotion and perfume.

If you’re going out, jewellery is the last thing you’ll want put on. If you tend to wear perfume at your neck or wrists, go for areas that aren’t in contact with your jewellery. After you’ve worn your jewellery, wipe it down with a clean soft cloth (or a lint-free cloth) so as to remove any chemicals, oils, or sweat. Avoid cleaning, physical work and swimming with your jewellery on.

CARING FOR JADE

Dip a soft cloth into the slightly soapy water and gently wipe your jade until it is clean. Do not scrub at it, as scrubbing can scratch the surface. Also, take care to avoid immersing it in the soapy water. Dip the cloth in clean water and remove any suds from the jewelry. Make sure to remove all traces of soapy water and do not immerse the jade to rinse it. Dry your jade off with a lint-free,100%-cotton cloth. Be careful not to drop your jade, knock against it, or scratch it against hard surfaces. Never put your jade jewelry into a tumbler or cleaning machine, which can scratch or crack the jade. Never use chemical cleaners on jade. Do not use an ultrasonic cleaner or a steam cleaner. The extreme heat can damage jade. Remove jade jewelry before swimming; chlorine in hot tubs and pools is very harmful to jade. Touching jade increases the luster and richness of the stone, so don’t feel like you have to clean your jade jewelry every time you wear it. Instead, wipe it with a soft cloth after wearing it and clean it only when you notice soiling. Also, store jade in a jewelry bag or in its own compartment of your jewelry box.

CARING FOR GEMSTONES

Despite their hardness, gemstones are still susceptible to scratches, chipping or breaking. Store individual jewellery pieces separately so that they do not rub against each other.

Limit exposure to chemicals, water, and direct sunlight as these can damage the gemstones and cause some to turn paler over time. The build-up of hand creams, fingerprints, dust or grime can also dull the brilliance of the stones, but this can be solved by cleaning it with a lint-free, 100%-cotton cloth.

CARING FOR PEARLS

Pearls are resilient and meant to be worn, but they are also delicate and require proper care. Pearls are organic gemstones that are vulnerable to acid, alkaline and extremes of humidity. To preserve your pearls’ radiance, avoid letting them come into contact with cosmetics, hair spray, or perfume. Always put on your jewelry as a final touch, after applying make-up and styling hair. The pearl’s luster can also be harmed by perspiration. To prevent this, before returning your pearls to the jewelry box, wipe them gently with a soft cloth. Pearls are exceptionally cohesive and shock-resistant, but may be scratched by contact with sharp objects or other gemstones. To prevent tangles and scratches, fasten clasps and pins, then lay each item out separately in a compartmentalized jewelry box. When carrying jewelry, use a protective jewelry pouch. Leaving pearl jewelry in a security box for long periods may cause pearls to dehydrate, so enjoy them frequently.