Whether it’s a party evening or a regular day at work, your jewellery has partnered with you all day long in looking gorgeous and maybe, in winning compliments too. Now, when you return home, tired and exhausted, how do you think your jewellery is going to feel if you just dump them off bare in some drawer? Or, if you leave them on your desk or your kitchen island to taste the moisturised air all by themselves? How often do you clean your jewellery cases? How they’re going to feel if you simply toss them on your bedsheet with a promise of security only to procrastinate it till next weekend? Been there, done that. Now, let’s do something different. Here are some wonderful and simple-to-apply tips which you can implement to have a long-lasting jewellery collection.
Let’s get started.
AVOID JEWELLERY DURING ACTIVITIES INVOLVING PHYSICAL LABOUR
Women tend to be multitaskers managing work, kitchen, shopping, home and much more on their own. However, some activities might not be suitable for the jewellery material. Of course it might seem a Herculean task to take your bracelets or rings or anklets on and off again and again, it’d be worth it. After all, after spending the earth it’s always a good idea to prevent rather than to cure. These activities might include exercising, sports, cooking, laundry, kitchen chores, swimming, hiking, steam baths, spa, dusting or gardening.
KEEP YOUR JEWELLERY AWAY FROM WATER & STICKINESS AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE
Moisture can make your jewellery fade away quicker than its actual life period. Therefore, make sure you keep your jewellery away from water as much as possible. Another important point to note here is, moisture doesn’t just slip in when you are in shower or swimming pool, it can also arrive via the body lotions, creams and moisturisers you use. Even through the oil on your skin. Hence, while wearing jewellery, especially metallic ones, don’t wear heavy lotions especially around the areas like neck, fingers and wrists.
KEEP YOUR DIY JEWELLERY CLEANSER AT HAND
Yes, you can make your own cleanser for your jewellery items. There are a lot of ways to do that. One, by mixing water and baking soda. However, if you are using baking soda, just make sure that it is not artificial jewellery, or it might cause scratches on the same. Two, you can use a few drops of your dishwashing liquid to do the job. If not that, your face wash can serve as good jewellery cleaner too. Just make sure that it is not too acidic or scrubby.
CLEAN & POLISH YOUR JEWELLERY IN ONE STROKE OF NAIL POLISH
Nail polish can serve two purposes at one time for your jewellery. To prevent your jewellery from early dullness or corrosion, add a thin coating of transparent nail paint on your jewellery items. This nail paint will serve as a veneer, especially in jewellery containing crystals or glass beads. Besides cleaning your jewellery of any old spots, it can add a protective layer too. Not hard rubbing or polish, just soft brushstroke movements are good to go!
FOLLOW SILVER STANDARDS
Very few people know that not every piece of silver jewellery is the same. Silver jewellery is defined by various standards pertaining to the amount and percent of silver they contain. For instance, if your jewellery is made in fine silver, it means that it contains 99.9% silver and 0.1% of other materials. This also means that this jewellery is too soft and too delicate to handle. The chains might get tangled or break, the bracelet’s clasp can twist and break too easily. And so, it’s best to take it out, wear sophisticatedly and put it back like a baby. Similarly, there are other standards of silver which have their own requirements when it comes to cleaning, storage and maintenance. And not just silver, most metals do that. Hence, following the standards is one great way to ensure that your jewellery lasts long.
PROPER STORAGE MEANS HAPPY JEWELLERY
How you store your jewellery and where you keep it determines a lot about its days to come. Protective boxes with velvet, satin or fabric lining are one of the most suitable ways to store jewellery. In addition to it, if you have tons of artificial earrings, you can store each pair in tiny plastic packets that come handy during travel as well. Besides this, you can use fabric-lined or glass-lined fancy jewellery cases with or without compartments.
