Tips to Preserve your Jewellery

1. Keep it dry and clean

Exposing fashion jewellery to any type of cream, chemical product, lotion, perfume, oil or even water is an undeniable accelerator of tarnishing. Metals like brass, copper or bronze will oxidize and see their color changing (verdigris) and jewellery silver or gold plating will chip. So make sure to always remove your jewellery before applying cream, perfume or when you wash your hands.

2. Wear it occasionally

If you wear the same pieces of jewellery on a daily basis, you might see discoloration coming quickly. To preserve its life change it as often as possible by varying the outfits.

3. Remove it when you have no use to wear it

Remove your jewellery at the end of the day – never go to sleep with it on – besides damaging it, it could also color, injure or scratch your skin. This advice also applies when you exercise, when you go to the pool etc. The green traces left on the skin are due to chemical reactions between the metal and the acidity of the skin. The sweat will naturally tend to amplify it. Finally, for any activity that does not require the presence of costume jewelry, go without!

4. Clean it regularly

Another tip to make you jewellery look its best as long as possible is to clean it after each use. This may seem a little laborious, but it’s actually very useful to see it last! Some soap, oil or perfume may have accidentally got on your skin while you wear your earrings, necklace or bracelet. So clean or wipe it down with a soft cloth to remove any product residues and sweat that accelerates oxidation. Avoid cleaners that contain acid, alcohol, vinegar or ammonia, since they can damage your jewellery, and always make sure that it is completely clean and dry before storing.

5. Store it carefully

Necklaces should be vertically hung on hooks and costume jewellery should not be in contact with one another and especially not with your precious pieces that could suffer from corrosion. A large jewellery box is perfect.

6. Do not coat your jewellery

Some people like to coat fashion jewellery with different products, but this is actually not recommended. Coating may change the appearance and color of your jewellery and tarnish its shine. In addition, it will eventually come off, causing your costume jewellery gold or silver plating to chip.

7.Making an Elastic Bracelet Last

To keep your bracelet in tiptop shape, roll the beads over your wrist, stretching the elastic as little as possible. Shampoo, soaps, hair sprays, perfume, body lotions, and sunscreen all do their part to breakdown and weaken the elastic over time, eventually causing it to snap. Take elastic bracelets off before applying lotions or sprays. Don’t wear them in the pool or the sea either.