Photo Courtesy of Bulgari
We all wear jewelry either every day and on special occasions. We perfectly style these precious pieces with our looks to shine at a party or an event, and our daily outfit is never complete without these fine accessories that totally add that elegant or bold touch.
We know that these pieces are made to last for a lifetime, nevertheless we should provide them with the right care to preserve them. So here’s a guide to keep your jewelry sparkling!
1 – Remove your jewelry when performing manual tasks to prevent their exposure to chemicals or cleaning fluids. Kitchen work, gardening and cleaning the house, are some of the tasks that should be avoided when wearing jewelry.
2 – Wear your jewelry after applying makeup, as cosmetics, hairsprays, perfumes and lotion can contain chemicals that often damage jewelry.
3 – Don’t wear jewelry in swimming pools and spas. Chlorinated water can react with the metal of your jewelry pieces, changing their colors and damaging their structure.
4 – Don’t wear jewelry while exercising as hard blows can damage them.
5 – Handle your gem-set or pearl-set jewelry as delicately as possible and avoid wearing them for long, as skin oil can build up and give them a dull appearance.
6 – Remove your earrings while getting your hair styled. Never wear pearl earrings or necklace while having your hair colored because the alcohol and chemicals found in coloring agents take away the luster of the pearls.
7 – If you are right-handed, remember to wear your bracelets and watch in the left hand. The opposite applies to the left-handed.
8 – Pearls are very soft and need extra care, so avoid putting them in your jewelry box with other pieces to preserve them from scratching. Instead keep them in a fabric-lined box or fabric pouch.
9 – If you do not have a special product, you can clean your gold pieces with a mild detergent and a soft fabric. Mix the mild dish detergent with warm water in a bowl and let the jewelry piece sit for a few minutes. Gently scrub it with a very soft toothbrush, then remove it, rinse it and dry thoroughly with a soft polishing cloth.
10 – Never remove rings by pulling on the stone as this will loosen it up.
11 – Since hard stones can scratch softer ones, store each gem-set piece separately.
12 – Gem-set rings in particular can collect dust and soap behind the gem, clean them to keep them shining. Simply soak them in water with a touch of gentle dish soap and make sure to use a bowl in order to avoid them going down the drain. Use a soft toothbrush to scrub behind the stone, rinse the soap off and dry the piece with a lint-free soft cloth to make sure threads won’t catch on the prongs.
13 – Organic gems like pearls, coral and amber should only be cleaned with a moist cloth.
With these basic ways, your treasured jewels will shine in your jewelry box like colorful stars in a night sky!
Mirella Haddad
