Our love of jewelry dates back to the 17th century, with the earliest jewelry finding dating back to 25,000 years ago.
Considering the first necklaces were made using fish bones, we’ve come a long way in developing gorgeous accessories made from gold, silver, and stones.
But as jewelry becomes more elegant, it becomes more important to care for it. Regular jewelry care keeps jewelry in pristine condition.
Do you know how to care for jewelry? Let’s explore the best cleaning and storing methods for your necklaces, bracelets, rings, and trinkets.
How to Clean Jewelry
Cleaning jewelry isn’t difficult, but many people fail to do it. When you wear jewelry on your skin and clothing, it picks up dirt and grime. Cleaning your jewelry from time-to-time eliminates damage and keeps your accessories shining.
Cleaning Silver
Use silver polish to dissolve and remove tarnish. The polish will also create a protective coating on your jewelry to reduce future damage.
For DIY cleaning, try using dish soap, toothpaste, or baking soda.
Mix dish soap with warm water. Use a cloth to rub the solution into your trinkets. Rinse with cold water and use another soft cloth to dry the jewelry.
Apply a dab of white toothpaste to the jewelry and rub it in gently with your finger. Rinse with warm water and pat dry with a soft cloth.
Combine three parts baking soda and one part water in a small bowl. Dab the mixture onto the jewelry with a soft cloth. Rinse with room-temperature water.
Cleaning Stones
Proper jewelry care is crucial to keep rubies, emeralds, sapphire, and diamonds in pristine condition. You can use an Alka Seltzer and water concoction to keep precious stone jewelry clean.
Combine Alka Seltzer with warm water in a bowl. Soak the jewelry for a few minutes, leaving severely damaged stones in longer. Wipe the gemstones with a soft cloth.
Make sure you don’t use flavored Alka seltzer, which could contain chemicals that ruin your gemstones.
Cleaning Gold
Clean gold accessories using a few drops of dish soap and a splash of lukewarm water.
Large jewelry can soak in bowls, while small items should go in a strainer. Use a toothbrush to scrub and eliminate extra dirt and grime.
Rinse the jewelry with warm water and pat the pieces dry using a soft lint-free cloth.
How to Store Jewelry
If you want jewelry that shines, be mindful of how and where you store it.
Keep jewelry away from wood or chemically treated surfaces. These elements stain and speed up the tarnishing process.
Keep silver in a dry environment to prevent damage. Some people place silver products next to chalk because chalk absorbs excess moisture.
Lay pearls or stone necklaces flat to prevent the silk thread from stretching. Pearl necklaces should be restrung every five years to prevent them from wearing out and snapping.
Keep your jewelry separated. Hard pieces can easily scratch delicate ones. Separation keeps the pieces intact and allows for easy jewelry organization.
Wrap fine jewelry in anti-tarnish cloth storage bags. The bags protect the jewelry from oxidation and corrosion. The cloth bags can be used for silver, gold, copper, bronze, tin, brass, iron, and steel.
How to Care for Jewelry and More
If you take proper care of your jewelry, it will never stop dazzling.
Now that you know how to care for jewelry, discover other stylish trends. From home improvement tips to makeup hacks, check out our blog for more helpful articles.
