How to maintain jewelry to keep it shiny for years?
Jewellery made from precious metals like gold and silver often holds special emotional value. Whether it's a gift for an important occasion, a family heirloom, or a piece of jewellery you wear daily, proper maintenance is crucial to ensure it retains its shine and beauty for years to come.
Although gold and silver are high-quality and durable materials, they still require some attention. With a few simple habits, you can significantly extend the lifespan of your jewellery and preserve its original appearance.
Proper Jewellery Storage
One of the most important steps in jewellery maintenance is proper storage. When not being worn, it's best to store jewellery in a dry, dark place, ideally in its original box or a soft textile pouch.
It's important to avoid storing jewellery in rooms with high humidity, such as bathrooms. Humidity can accelerate the oxidation process of silver, leading to its surface darkening.
It's also advisable not to store jewellery pieces together without protection, as direct contact can cause scratches or tangling, especially with necklaces.
Avoiding Contact with Chemicals
Jewellery is sensitive to various chemicals that can affect its appearance and durability. To prevent damage, it's recommended to avoid contact between jewellery and cosmetic and chemical products.
Special attention should be paid to:
- perfumes
- hair sprays
- creams and lotions
- cleaning agents
- chlorine in swimming pools
- sea salt
It's best to apply cosmetics first and wait for them to dry completely before putting on jewellery.
Protection from Physical Damage
Although precious metals are durable, they are relatively soft and can be scratched or deformed.
To prevent damage, it's recommended to remove jewellery before:
- sleeping
- exercising
- sports activities
- heavy physical labour
Special care is needed for delicate chains, which can get tangled or stretched if not handled carefully.
Specifics of Different Materials
Silver
Silver, especially 925 silver, naturally oxidises when exposed to air and sulphur from the environment. This can cause it to tarnish over time. This is a completely normal process.
Gold-plated jewellery
Gold-plated jewellery has a thin layer of gold applied over silver. Over time and with frequent wear, this layer naturally wears off.
Gold jewellery
Gold is one of the most durable precious metals and does not oxidise like silver, but it can lose some of its lustre due to cosmetic or soap residues.
How to Clean Jewellery at Home
Regular cleaning helps jewellery maintain its natural shine.
The simplest way to maintain it is to wipe the jewellery with a soft, dry cloth after wearing it.
If the jewellery has lost its shine due to cosmetic build-up, it can be cleaned in a simple way:
- Soak the jewellery in lukewarm water.
- Add a few drops of mild dish detergent.
- Rinse under clean water.
- Thoroughly dry the jewellery with a soft cloth.
For gold-plated jewellery, special care should be taken to avoid abrasive agents like baking soda or toothpaste.
When Professional Cleaning is Needed
If your jewellery has lost its shine or has visible scratches, professional cleaning might be the best solution.
- professional polishing
- ultrasonic cleaning
- checking and tightening stones
Such service is recommended approximately once a year, especially for frequently worn jewellery.
At Klara jewellers, you can receive expert advice on proper jewellery maintenance and professional cleaning and polishing to make your jewellery shine again.
