Here are my top seven ways to ruin your jewelry. These are the problems I see most often when my clients me their broken or damaged jewelry. Sometimes the necklace, bracelet or earring can be repaired or re-strung. But, if it was a chemical attack, then I have to replace the beads – not always an easy thing to do, especially on a unique piece.
1. Spray it with hair spray.
Hair spray and other hair products build up on your jewelry causing a nasty scum and may damage your necklace. Products should be applied and allowed to dry before putting on any kind of jewelry. It’s also wise to wipe your neck with a damp cloth before dressing to remove any product lingering on your skin. This simple step will keep your collars cleaner too.
2. Spray it with perfume
Alcohol in perfume will eat away at the nacre and absolutely destroy your pearls. It causes discoloration, cloudiness, and pitting in minerals. Even the best turquoise will bleach out when exposed to harsh chemicals. Keep the perfume off your neck. You have so many other areas for the scent.
3. Toss it in a drawer or jewelry box
This guaranteed way to scratch, damage, and even misshape you necklace or bracelet. I recommend that my clients store each piece separately in small self-closing food grade plastic bags with tarnish resistant paper.
4. Hang it on a hook.
Your jewelry is designed to lie around your neck or arm. Hanging jewelry on a hook causes the weight of the piece to be completely on one tiny section. It will weaken the piece and may cause a crimp or wrinkle, or more likely, it will break at the most inconvenient time. What’s your most embarrassing broken jewelry story? I’d love to hear it!
5. Soak it in water or chemicals to clean
Stones and minerals are porous, except for semi-precious and precious stones. Water and chemicals can discolor or weaken them causing damage.
6. Wear it at the beach or in the swimming pool.
Yes it does look great with that swim suit. Chlorine and salt water will pit both silver and stones. They will also corrode the steel cable I use to string your beautiful beads.
You see lots of people at the pool wearing their gold jewelry. That’s a huge no-no! Here’s a recent discovery about that. Goldsmiths are finding that, often, they can’t work with gold jewelry their customers bring in for re-sizing or re-design because the gold has become brittle. It seems that repeated exposure to Chlorine causes chemical changes in the molecular structure of gold.
7. Slam it in the lid of your suitcase.
Need I really say anything more on this one? By the way, this accident is not covered under your workmanship warranty. Grab all the beads and I will re-make it for you.
With proper care in wearing and storing your jewelry, you probably won’t need to clean it. But, if you do, clean your jewelry with a soft non-abrasive cloth dampened in warm water. Carefully rub each stone. For sterling, use a silver cloth designed for jewelry. Rub gently to remove tarnish. Avoid getting it on the stones.
Keep it clean!
Store it properly!
But most of all, enjoy it! Wear a piece every day and everywhere – just not in the pool.
Remember, your beautiful jewelry is a work of art. Care for it and enjoy it for years to come.
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This past weekend I got to work with a fantastic organization called “Flashes of Hope”. This non-profit creates uplifting portraits of children fighting cancer and raises money for pediatric cancer research. Last year they photographed over 5000 children across America. The photos change the way children see themselves and preserve forever the bravery, grace and dignity of each child.
