My sister suggested that I post a blog about caring for your jewelry, and I think that is a great idea. I did some research to ensure that I'm giving you all accurate information, and I learned a lot in the process.
The easiest rule of thumb for almost all jewelry is: to keep it shining like new, wear it often, put it on as the finishing touch of getting ready, and store it in a sealed plastic bag.
By wearing your jewelry often you're actually polishing the metal throughout the day. Waiting to put on your jewelry until you're finished getting ready protects it from hairspray and perfumes which can build up and attract dirt. And when you're not wearing your jewelry, storing it individually in a plastic bag slows down the tarnishing process and prevents it from being scratched. This is especially true of sterling silver.
Sterling silver is composed of silver and copper, the copper is added to strengthen the metal, but it also makes it susceptible to tarnish. It's easier to prevent tarnish by storing jewelry in a sealed bag, than to remove tarnish. But if you've got some pieces that have already begun to tarnish, they can be cleaned with a polishing cloth or by dissolving baking soda in warm water and gently rolling your jewelry through the mixture (be sure to completely dissolve the baking soda so the mixture is non-abrasive!). Metals tend to tarnish much more quickly in humid climates, so storing your jewelry in plastic bags is much more important if you live in a humid area or near the ocean.
The exception to the plastic bag rule is pearls. This is important to note since I use pearls so often in my jewelry designs.
Brooch with Pearls - Necklace
Brooch with Pearls - Necklace
While pearls are very beautiful, they are also very delicate, and can dry out easily. So instead of storing your pearls in a plastic bag, a bag made of soft cloth is better. If your piece of jewelry contains both pearls and an easily tarnished metal the best solution is storing in a soft cloth bag inside of a tarnish resistant jewelry box. In addition to drying out easily, pearls can also be scratched easily and are sensitive to prolonged exposure to light, hairspray, make up, perfume, cleaning chemicals, and acids such as vinegar and lemon juice. That sounds pretty high maintenance, but honestly if you just wear them often, putting them on as your finishing touch to getting ready, wipe them off with a soft cloth when you're done, and then store them in a soft bag they should be fine.
Through gentle handling and proper storage, your jewelry will stay shiny and beautiful for years to come. If you have any specific questions about jewelry care, please let me know.
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