How to Care for Your Jewellery Properly
Jewellery can be a major investment, and a vehicle for immense sentimental value. Certain items might be linked to a particular person, moment, or place – or, they might just appeal to you for aesthetic reasons. Whatever the reason that you value your jewellery, it’s worth investing time and energy into caring for it properly.
Daily habits that protect your jewellery
The stresses of daily life can take a major toll on the jewellery we wear. Whether you’re wearing a necklace in a workshop, a diamond engagement ring in a swimming pool, or a bracelet in the shower, you’re running the risk of damaging, or even losing, the item in question. Exposure to chemicals like chlorine can tarnish delicate metals, while impacts can loosen a gemstone from its setting.
Certain metals, like gold, tend to be more resilient than others. For this reason, gold earrings tend to be a better match for lifestyles that include lots of hairspray and other beauty products.
The safest ways to clean different types of jewellery
Of course, you’ll not only want to protect your jewellery from damage. You’ll also want to invest time in cleaning it. Gentle cleaning substances, like soap, are preferable to abrasive ones. Don’t scrub away with too much force, or leave jewellery to soak for too long. Excessive heat from a hairdryer also tends to cause metal to warp, just a little bit – which can be bad news for those little prongs. The same goes for ultrasonic cleaning methods.
Every so often, it pays to get your jewellery looked at by a professional. That way, you can be sure that it will be treated with appropriate care and skill.
Smart storage solutions to prevent scratches and tarnishing
Improper storage can inflict major damage on your jewellery. When it’s rattling around in a small, unprotected space, metal can suffer thousands upon thousands of tiny dings and bumps, which will result in it looking dull and lifeless. Keep all of your jewellery in a soft-lined box, and ensure that it’s not free to move around. Control of the surrounding environment, and in particular the humidity, can also make a big difference.
Understanding hallmarks and why authenticity matters in the UK
Hallmarking provides a great means of checking whether the metal you’re investing in is pure and authentic. This matters especially if you’re buying from online sellers, and you can’t be sure of what’s actually going to arrive after you’ve placed an order.
A traditional hallmark comprises five distinct sections, of which three are compulsory. Two of these describe what the item is made from, while the others deal with the date, the assay office, and the sponsor. Learning how it all works might end up saving you a great deal of trouble!
