Jewellery has always held a special place in our hearts - from the go to pair of earrings that go with absolutely everything to the sentimental friendship bracelet that was given by a bestie. But as much as we love our jewellery, it's important to remember that it needs proper care and maintenance. Over time, jewellery can become tarnished, dull, or even damaged if not cared for properly. That's why it's essential to follow a proper jewellery care routine.
Read our jewellery care guide and discover our top tips on how to care for your jewellery. You’ll learn everything you need to know about storing, cleaning, protecting and caring for your jewellery. So, whether you're a jewellery enthusiast or simply want to ensure your pieces last a lifetime, our jewellery care guide will help you give your jewellery the love and care it deserves.
How To Care For Your Jewellery
1. Store Your Jewellery Correctly
Storing your jewellery correctly is one of the most important things you can do when it comes to your jewellery care routine. Jewellery should be stored in a dry and cool place and away from direct sunlight to prevent it from tarnishing. Storing jewellery correctly can also prevent it from becoming tangled or knotted.
We recommend storing your jewellery in a jewellery box to help keep it safe and in good condition. We offer a huge range of jewellery boxes that are ideal for travel as well as at home use. Available in a range of colours, sizes, unique textures and with plenty of storage compartments, our elegant jewellery boxes look just as good in your bedroom as they do while on your travels.
Our mini jewellery boxes are ideal for storing a small amount of jewellery and are incredibly useful for storing rings or earrings if you're going for a weekend away. Alternatively, our heart shaped jewellery boxes can store a range of earrings, necklaces and bracelets. Not only are they incredibly versatile but they also look beautifully stylish. Our grey jewellery pouch packaging is also ideal for keeping your jewellery clean and protected when not being worn. For more information read our how to store jewellery guide.
2. Clean Your Jewellery Regularly
Over time, jewellery can accumulate dirt, debris, and oils from your skin. This can make your jewellery look dull or dirty, and in some cases, can even cause gemstones to become cloudy or opaque. Certain metals, such as silver, can tarnish over time due to exposure to air, moisture, and other environmental factors. This can cause your jewellery to look old and worn. Not only is it important to clean your jewellery regularly to keep it free of germs, but it also helps to keep it in excellent condition.
As with solid gold and sterling silver jewellery, gold and silver plated jewellery can also tarnish if not properly cared for. Our jewellery is designed to last and with a little TLC, your jewellery will shine for years to come.
To clean your jewellery, it is best to use a soft, non-abrasive cloth. Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive materials, as these can scratch or damage your jewellery. For more information, read our how to clean gold plated jewellery and how to clean silver plated jewellery guides.
3. Don’t Expose Your Jewellery To Chemicals
Chemicals such as perfume, hairspray, and soap can damage or discolour your jewellery over time, so it's best to avoid exposing it to these substances. You should also take off your jewellery before swimming in the sea or in chlorinated water as the salt and chemicals in the water can also cause damage to your jewellery.
Perfumes, hairspray, and soap also contain chemicals that can react with the metal or gemstones in your jewellery. For example, silver jewellery can tarnish when exposed to chemicals such as sulphur in perfume or hairspray. Other metals may also corrode when exposed to certain chemicals found in perfumes or soap, which can cause your jewellery to weaken or even break.
These types of products can also leave a residue on your jewellery that can be difficult to remove. Over time, this buildup can make your jewellery appear dull or dirty. We suggest applying perfume, moisturiser and hairspray before putting your jewellery on. You should also let these products sit on your skin for at least 15 minutes before putting on your jewellery to avoid tarnishing. Once you are ready to take your jewellery off, you should give them a light clean with soap and water and use a soft cloth to remove any remaining debris.
4. Take Your Jewellery Off
The best way to care for your jewellery is to take it off before exercise, showering and going to bed. Jewellery can get damaged or lost during exercise, showering or sleeping, especially if it's delicate or not secured properly. For example, rings can get caught on gym equipment, and necklaces can get tangled or pulled by clothing.
Dirt, bacteria, and sweat can also accumulate under your jewellery, making it difficult to clean properly. Removing jewellery before exercise, going to bed or showering can help prevent the buildup of bacteria and sweat, reducing the risk of tarnishing or skin irritation.
It can also be quite dangerous to wear jewellery during exercise or sleep as it can become tangled. For example, wearing long necklaces or dangling earrings can get caught on equipment or clothing, causing injury so it's important to remove it to prevent any accidents from happening. We recommend using one of our pouches or mini jewellery boxes to keep all your jewellery safe and secure on the go.
Create Your Own Jewellery Care Routine
In conclusion, taking care of your jewellery requires a little bit of effort, but it's worth it to keep your favourite pieces looking beautiful and sparkling for years to come.
Now that you know how to care for your jewellery, why not take the first steps in putting together your own jewellery care routine? Whether you’re looking to add new jewellery to your collection or jewellery storage ideas, you’ll find it all at Estella Bartlett.
