A person’s jewelry is their crowning glory. It elevates a look, it’s a prized investment, and for many families, it becomes a storied heirloom that’s passed down through generations. Naturally, something so valuable should be cared for. Jewelry—metals, stones, gems, and everything in between—is only as beautiful as the effort that goes into maintaining their luster.
You might not realize it, but there are everyday habits that contribute to the deterioration of your favorite pieces. Caring for jewelry requires that there are things we avoid doing as best as we can.
Here, we list down five common habits to break to preserve the quality and beauty of jewelry.
5 Habits That Could Be Ruining Your Jewelry
Improper storage
There’s a reason why jewelry comes in special packages. They’re not just added luxury but do serve a real purpose. They keep pieces secure and more than that, keep them from getting shaken around, scratched, chipped, and tangled. Keep jewelry in their original packing if you can when not in use. If you prefer, you can also purchase jewelry boxes designed for the individual storage of earrings, bracelets, necklaces, rings, and more.
It’s time to stop the habit of simply letting jewelry sit around in your drawer or vanity when you’ve taken it off at the end of the day. This exposes them to dirt particles that can build up in crevices and joints that can dull shine over time. Accidents can happen, too. You might knock a piece off a shelf and cause it to crack, curious hands might play with it and cause it damage, or you might forget that you left it in a spot entirely and misplace it. Right after you’re done with your jewelry, go straight to storing them properly.
Putting jewelry on first
There’s a rule that goes, “Jewelry is the last thing you put on in the day and the first thing you take off at night.” The second half of this statement, we talked about above. As for the first half, allow us to explain.
If you’ve been putting jewelry on first when you’re getting ready for a big day out or a special evening occasion, stop. Why? Because putting jewelry on first means that you expose it to things like body lotion, hairspray, perfume, sunscreen, and makeup. While these products are not at all harmful in themselves, they are not exactly the best for maintaining your pieces’ brilliance. The chemicals in these can be corrosive and repeated exposure to them can permanently damage jewelry. Don’t risk it.
Overexposure to elements
Good jewelry can withstand sun, salt, moisture, and even sweat, but do remember that even the best-made pieces have their limits.
Swimming with jewelry in pools or salt water won’t hurt but only if done occasionally. Working out and participating in sports with jewelry on can cause it to tarnish. Doing outdoor activities (think hiking, camping, or even just gardening) opens up the potential for jewelry to get banged around, deformed, or even lost entirely. Protect your jewelry at all costs and consider prolonged wear in this context only when reasonable.
Neglecting professional cleaning
There’s a reason why jewelers exist. They’re not just there for purchases, appraisals, or repairs. They’re there to help you maintain your jewelry and ensure that it lasts a lifetime or longer. While there are cleaning solutions you can purchase for home maintenance, it’s a good idea to bring pieces to the pros for deep cleaning from time to time. With them, your jewelry can also be assessed for adjustments. You get the bonus of services that realign, tighten, or replace some of its parts if necessary.
This is especially important if you haven’t yet made it a habit to examine jewelry before storing it. You may not realize it, but wearing jewelry even for a short timespan can change the way it was designed to move or sit on your body. Developing the ever-important habit of bringing it to legitimate jewelers who understand this can help keep pieces in tip-top shape.
Not wearing jewelry often enough
This might sound counterintuitive, but it’s recommended that you wear your jewelry more often than, say, storing it for weeks at a time. It’s understandable that many people might want to save their most elegant pieces for only the most special occasions, but do let your jewelry see the light of the day once in a while. It’s not accurate to think that storing jewelry means you protect them from wear and tear.
A better practice is to understand which of your pieces would do better when worn frequently. For example, some metals tarnish when kept and not worn, as the gentle friction caused by your skin and clothing can actually mimic polishing. Ask your jeweler for advice on which pieces you should be wearing more regularly.
Now that you have a better idea of what habits to break (and what habits to form) for proper jewelry maintenance, continue to enjoy your pieces and wear them with care.
Have any questions about your jewelry or you would like to their valuation? Consult Willyn Villarica. Send your inquiries via willynvillarica@willynvillaricajewelry.com or through Facebook (Willyn Villarica Jewelry) or Instagram (@willynvillarica_jewelry).