Prevent Unnecessary Jewellery Disrepair with These Easy Maintenance Tips
Jewellery made from precious metals and gemstones are quite expensive to invest in. Thus, you would like to do everything possible to retain their lustre. The first thing to take note of is that a professional jeweller should address any structural damages to your jewellery pieces as soon as they occur. Neglecting to engage in jewellery repair will only translate into the damage becoming exacerbated, and your jewellery could become irreparable. Secondly, care and maintenance are critical if your jewellery pieces are to remain in excellent condition. Nonetheless, keep in mind that jewellery care is not the same across the board. Here are some of the easy maintenance tips that you could employ to prevent unnecessary jewellery repair.
Sterling silver
To eliminate dirt from your sterling silver jewellery pieces, you should utilise a soft cloth that is made from one hundred percent cotton. Other materials that are rough or coarse could end up permanently harming the surface of the sterling silver by cause's scratches. You should also be wary of rubbing the dirt on the jewellery against the surface of the sterling silver as this could abrade your jewellery too.
A mistake to avoid when cleaning sterling silver is choosing to soak it in a silver-dip. Although this may help with tough stains, the silver-dip can also accelerate the formation of pits on your jewellery. Therefore, if you find you cannot thoroughly clean the sterling silver on your own, it would be best to take it for professional cleaning. Lastly, sterling silver should always be stored in an airtight container to prevent tarnishing due to oxidation.
Pearls
Pearls are one of the expensive gems that you could buy as they provide a timeless appeal. And since jewellery pieces containing pearls will not go out of style, you should take all the steps necessary to prolong their lifespan. Pearls are naturally soft. Therefore, they need to be handled with care. The first thing to do is ensure that the jewellery box containing the pearls is lined with a soft fabric such as velvet to prevent friction on the surface of the jewellery. Additionally, do not store your pearl jewellery items with other types of pieces as the pearls could be prone to nicks and scratches.
The second measure to take to ensure your pearls retain their longevity is to make sure they are cleaned after every use. When you wear your pearl jewellery, your natural body oils and skin secretions will meet the pearls. Wiping them down with a jewellery cleaner should prevent these bodily fluids from damaging the pearl's nacre.