Jewelry Care and Usage Tips

Jewelry Care and Usage Tips

We all want to keep our precious jewelry, which adds sparkle to our lives, from getting damaged or losing its shine. Since the materials used in jewelry undergo many processes to be made suitable for crafting, the care and cleaning of these materials are of great importance. Otherwise, wear, discoloration, and loss of shine are inevitable. So, how should jewelry be cared for? How should diamonds be cleaned and maintained? In addition to answering these questions, we’ve compiled the essential things to know about jewelry use and care.

What to Pay Attention to When Using Jewelry?

• Avoid exposing your jewelry to chemical products.
  Chemicals such as chlorine and other products are the main enemies of jewelry made from gold, silver, and precious stones.

• To protect your jewelry from chlorine’s harmful effects, especially when swimming in pools, you should remove your jewelry.
  Saltwater, like chlorine, can damage silver and precious stones. Therefore, you should avoid wearing jewelry in the sea.
  When cleaning, don’t forget to remove rings and other accessories, as over time they will wear out and lose their shine. So, make it a habit to take off your rings and accessories while cleaning, taking a shower, or washing your hands.

• Avoid contact with water, especially with your diamond jewelry.
  You should also avoid spraying perfume on your jewelry.

Protect Jewelry from Body Secretions

• Not only chemicals but also the body’s natural secretions can cause jewelry to deteriorate and lose its shine over time. The primary cause of tarnishing in gold and silver is their contact with body secretions, especially during the summer months.

• On very hot summer days, try to avoid wearing jewelry for extended periods.
  Make it a habit to take off all your jewelry before going to bed.
  After removing your jewelry, clean it with a cotton cloth and remove any moisture.
  When you want to perform a deep cleaning, use a polishing cloth instead of water.
  Before wearing jewelry again, clean it with a damp cotton cloth to remove any accumulated moisture, oil, and dust.

Protect Jewelry from Impacts and Hard Objects

• While jewelry is made from stones with high hardness, they become more delicate due to the many interventions and cuts they undergo during the crafting process. To prevent your jewelry from being scratched, falling apart, or losing its shine, you can apply the following tips:
  • Wearing rings on your left hand can help prevent them from accidentally rubbing against hard objects during daily activities.
  • If you store your jewelry in a box, make sure there are no multiple pieces of jewelry inside, as rubbing against each other could damage them.
  • When traveling, ensure your jewelry is stored in its own box or a soft container.
  • Take off your jewelry when performing daily tasks to protect it from impacts.

Different Jewelry Requires Different Care

• Remember that each type of jewelry has its unique characteristics and care rules.
  • Diamonds and pearls should never come into contact with water.
  • Long-term storage of diamond or pearl jewelry in closed, humid environments is also not recommended. Therefore, at least twice a year, you should remove them from their boxes and care for them with a damp cotton cloth.
  • White gold, unlike other gold types, requires more care because its rhodium coating can get damaged over time. So, don’t neglect white gold maintenance.
  • Regular professional maintenance is essential not only for white gold but also for other jewelry, especially diamonds.

We’ve covered the main points regarding jewelry care and use, but since each precious stone and jewelry type has its own unique qualities and delicacies, it’s important to learn the specific care techniques for each piece of jewelry you buy and seek professional maintenance support.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Why does white gold tarnish or lose its shine?
  The reason white gold loses its shine is due to the damage to its rhodium coating. Regular maintenance or re-coating will solve this issue.

• What should be considered when using diamonds and pearls?
  The most important thing when using diamonds and pearls is to avoid contact with water. Additionally, avoid wearing them in hot weather and keep them away from perfumes and makeup products.

• How should jewelry be stored?
  Jewelry should always be stored in its special box, and regular maintenance should be carried out. Otherwise, jewelry in the same box can scratch each other, and humid environments can cause tarnishing and loss of shine.

• How should diamonds be maintained and cleaned?
  The most accurate and effective method for diamond care is regular professional maintenance. However, if you skip professional care, you can clean them at home using polishing cloths and special diamond cleaning products.