Jewellery has always held a special place in our hearts, from the go-to pair of earrings that go with absolutely everything to the sentimental friendship bracelet that was given by a bestie. But as much as we love our jewellery, it's important to remember that it needs proper care and maintenance. Over time, jewellery can become tarnished, dull, or even damaged if not cared for properly. That's why it's essential to follow a proper jewellery care routine.
Read our jewellery care guide and discover our top tips on how to care for your jewellery. You’ll learn everything you need to know about storing, cleaning, protecting and caring for your jewellery. So, whether you're a jewellery enthusiast or simply want to ensure your pieces last as long as possible, our jewellery care guide will help you give your jewellery the love and care it deserves.
How To Care For Your Jewellery
1. Store Your Jewellery Correctly When Not Wearing Them
Storing your jewellery correctly is one of the most important things you can do when it comes to your jewellery care routine. Jewellery should be stored in a dry and cool place and away from direct sunlight to prevent it from tarnishing. Storing jewellery correctly can also prevent it from becoming tangled or knotted.
We recommend storing your jewellery in a jewellery box to help keep it safe and in good condition. We offer a huge range of jewellery boxes that are ideal for travelling, as well as at-home use. Available in a range of colours, sizes, unique textures and with plenty of storage compartments, our elegant jewellery boxes look just as good in your bedroom as they do on-the-go.
Our mini jewellery boxes are ideal for storing a small amount of jewellery and are incredibly useful for storing rings or earrings if you're going for a weekend away. Alternatively, our heart-shaped jewellery boxes can store a range of earrings, necklaces and bracelets. Not only are they incredibly practical, but they also look beautifully stylish. Our grey jewellery pouch packaging is also ideal for keeping your jewellery clean and protected when not being worn. For more information, read our guide on how to store jewellery.
2. Clean Your Jewellery Regularly
Over time, jewellery can accumulate dirt, debris, and oils from your skin. This can make your jewellery look dull or dirty, and in some cases, can even cause gemstones to become cloudy or opaque. Not only is it important to clean your jewellery regularly to keep it free of germs, but it also helps to keep it in excellent condition.
As with solid gold and sterling silver jewellery, gold and silver plated jewellery can also tarnish if not properly cared for.
To clean your jewellery, it is best to use a soft, non-abrasive cloth. Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive materials, as these can scratch or damage your jewellery. For more information, read our how to clean gold plated jewellery and how to clean silver plated jewellery guides.
3. Don’t Expose Your Jewellery To Chemicals and Moisture
Chemicals such as perfumes, hairsprays, and soaps can damage or discolour your jewellery over time, so it's best to avoid exposing it to these substances. We suggest applying perfume, moisturiser and hairspray at least 15 minutes before putting your jewellery on, ensuring they're fully absorbed beforehand.
Unless you've shopped from our Waterproof jewellery range, you should also take off your jewellery before exercising or swimming in the sea or in chlorinated water, as the salt and chemicals in the water will cause tarnishing.
If your jewellery contains gemstones or pearls, we recommend avoiding moisture and chemicals to protect their surface and lustre, even if their metal hardware is waterproof.
Once you are ready to take your jewellery off, you should give them a light clean with soft, non-abrasive cloth to remove any remaining debris.
4. Take Your Jewellery Off Before Exercising, Showering, Swimming or Going to Bed
We can't recommend taking your jewellery off before exercising, showering, swimming and going to bed enough! Not only will keeping them on lead to tarnishing if in contact with water, but jewellery can get damaged or lost during exercise, showering and sleeping, especially if it's delicate or not secured properly.
Removing jewellery before exercise, going to bed or showering can help prevent the buildup of bacteria and sweat, reducing the risk of tarnishing or skin irritation.
It can also be quite dangerous to wear jewellery during exercise or sleep, as it can become tangled and even cause injuries. For example, necklaces, bracelets and earrings can get caught on equipment or clothing and cause injuries, so it's important to remove them to prevent any accidents from happening. We recommend using one of our pouches or mini jewellery boxes to keep all your jewellery safe and secure when you're on the go.
5. Create Your Own Jewellery Care Routine
In conclusion, taking care of your jewellery requires a little bit of effort, but it's worth it to keep your favourite pieces looking beautiful and sparkling for years to come.
Now that you know how to care for your jewellery, why not take the first steps in putting together your own jewellery collection? Whether you’re looking to add new jewellery to your collection or jewellery storage ideas, you’ll find it all at Estella Bartlett.
