How To Care For Your Fine Jewelry
There’s jewelry, and then there’s fine jewelry. While both are beautiful accessories that accentuate your personality and style, fine jewelry’s value, quality, and craftsmanship make it stand out. Like anything of substantial value or meaning, it’s imperative to ensure you take care of your high-quality pieces. If you’re unsure how to do that, you’ve come to the right place.
Infographic provided by Jewelry Display Manufacturer, Gems on Display
Purchase From Reputable Vendors
Before we learn how to care for your fine jewelry, let’s discuss the importance of purchasing quality pieces. Believe it or not, many people describe jewelry as “high-quality,” which is quite the opposite. Whether you’re shopping for diamond flower rings, pendant necklaces, pearl earrings, an antique watch, or a solid gold bracelet, you should always research the jeweler.
Consider questions like their years in the business, inventory source, and customer rapport. Ideally, you want to buy from a jeweler with a lot of experience, authentic jewelry sources, and positive customer feedback.
Don’t Forget Insurance
You never know what could happen to your fine jewelry. While you intend to do the best you can to take care of your prized possessions, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Purchasing insurance coverage can provide you with peace of mind. It will cover the cost of repairs (or replacements) if your jewelry is damaged or stolen.
Caring For Your Jewelry
Now that you know how to avoid purchasing low-quality or fake jewelry, check out these tips to keep your luxury pieces in tip-top shape.
Storage
If you habitually place your jewelry anywhere, you should reconsider. This common practice could result in scratched or damaged jewelry. It’s best to purchase a jewelry case with special compartments to store your pieces properly. If you don’t have a case, place it in a small pouch or wrap it in fabric or a cloth when you take your jewelry off for the night.
If your fine jewelry is high value or has a significant purpose, consider placing it in a safe to protect it from fires, floods, or theft.
Cleaning
You must be mindful of the types of chemicals you use to clean your jewelry. While you might assume you can use any soap, spray, or cleaning solution, many of these options can do more harm than good. If you can’t afford to take your jewelry to a professional to have it cleaned, your best bet is to use mild soap and water.
As you clean your jewelry, use a soft bristle brush or gentle cloth to avoid causing damage. Finally, allow the pieces to dry thoroughly before placing them back in storage.
Wearing Fine Jewelry
How you wear your fine jewelry is another consideration to keep in mind. Take necklaces, for instance. When putting on a necklace, you should avoid attaching charms or pendants that are too heavy to prevent the necklace from breaking. Another example would be a bracelet or watch. Securing them on your wrist too tight could cause them to snap.
When you wear fine jewelry is another priority. For instance, it’s probably not a good idea to put them on when you’re going swimming, as the pool chemicals could cause tarnishing or discoloration. Similarly, wearing a flashy diamond necklace in an unsafe environment could increase your vulnerability to theft. It’s best to save your fine jewelry for special occasions where standing out is necessary.
Repairing Fine Jewelry
The internet has made it easy for people to learn how to complete tasks themselves in a matter of minutes. However, DIY jewelry repair may not be in your best interest. If you don’t have the proper tools and experience, you could end up causing more damage. The worst part is if you’re the cause of your broken jewelry, insurance may not cover the cost of repairs. Therefore, this DIY task is best left to the professional.
Fine jewelry is a luxury item that has significant value and meaning. Whether you were gifted a beautiful piece or purchased something for yourself, it’s an investment that requires tender love and care. Use the tips above to ensure that your fine jewelry withstands the test of time.
