5 Tips to Protect Your Jewelry

Talk to any reputable Albuquerque jewelry store, and they’ll tell you it’s important to protect your jewelry after purchase. Regular cleaning and inspection are part of the process. However, they’re not the only steps you can take to keep your favorite pieces in tip-top shape for years to come.

Learn how to protect your jewelry by following these 5 tips.

1 – Avoid Wearing Jewelry When Doing Household Chores

It’s easy to forget you’re wearing your favorite ring, bracelet, or watch, especially if these accessories are part of your everyday outfits. You slip them on just like you would a pair of favorite jeans. However, forgetting to remove them when doing household chores is one of the quickest ways to damage your favorite fine fashion or custom jewelry.

Harsh agents found in most commercial cleaning products can cause discoloration, scratches, and other damage. Among the worst offenders are ammonia and bleach. If you stick your hands — and your favorite rings — in either of these chemicals, they can corrode, causing the metal or gemstones to break.

If you use baking soda or vinegar to clean the all-natural way, you can still damage your jewelry if it comes in contact with these substances because of their abrasive and acidic nature. Gold bands and pearls are especially susceptible.

Some people prefer to wear rubber gloves to protect their jewelry, but that’s not a guarantee. While they’re not exposed to the chemicals you’re using to clean, they can put pressure directly on gemstones, causing them to loosen over time. Protect your jewelry by removing it when cleaning, and store it safely until finished.

2 – Clean Your Jewelry Regularly

Speaking of cleaning, it’s not just your home that needs sprucing up to keep it looking its best. Your jewelry also needs regular cleaning to remove dirt, oils, and other substances that collect on it throughout the day.

If you’re cleaning your jewelry at home, you can use a soft brush and mild soap or a jewelry-cleaning solution for the best results. Another option is using a sonic cleaning machine for fine fashion jewelry. They use high-frequency sound waves to agitate a cleaning solution, helping to loosen dirt and grime from jewelry surfaces.

These machines are generally safe and effective at sanitizing your jewelry without causing damage. However, it’s best to avoid using them to clean fine fashion or custom jewelry with pearls. If you’re not sure whether it’s safe to use a sonic cleaner on one of your pieces, check with a reputable local jeweler.

Most Albuquerque jewelry stores help you protect your jewelry by offering plans that include regular inspections and cleaning. Buy one, and you can ensure your jewelry stays in good condition.

3 – Get Your Jewelry Inspected Periodically

Regular cleanings help keep your jewelry looking its best. Getting a professional jeweler to inspect it periodically can prevent the kind of damage that compromises the integrity of your jewelry. A reputable Albuquerque jeweler store can check for issues like:

• Cracks or chips in gemstones or metals
• Bent or loose prongs
• Loose-fitting gemstones
• Missing diamonds and gemstones
• Stressed or weak spots

For pieces that you wear frequently — class rings, wedding bands — we recommend inspections every six months. If you have some pieces in your collection (think heirlooms) that you only wear occasionally, having them checked once a year is sufficient.

4 – Handle Your Jewelry with Care

Most fine fashion and custom jewelry pieces are delicate and must be handled with care. The same principle applies to heirloom pieces that could be decades — if not hundreds — of years old. Avoid touching your jewelry with dirty hands and try not to bang it against hard surfaces.

We also recommend removing your jewelry before you engage in certain physical activities like swimming, lifting weights, or playing high-impact sports.

Bathing or showering with your jewelry on also isn’t recommended. If you have any loose stones, you could lose them down the drain if they become dislodged. You also risk scratching fine metals if you like to use scrubbing tools like loofahs.

5 – Invest in Quality Jewelry

Buying quality pieces from a reputable Albuquerque jewelry store is one of the best ways to protect your jewelry. High-quality jewelry is made from durable materials that can withstand normal wear and tear. It’s also less likely to break, fade, or tarnish easily.

Certain characteristics are present in all pieces of high-end jewelry. Here are some ways to verify quality before you buy:

• Check the markings. High-quality jewelry has markings indicating the type of purity of the metal. Gold often is stamped with a karat mark, while platinum is denoted with stamps like Pt950 or Pt900.
• Consider the price. While price alone is not always an indicator of quality, extremely low prices are a red flag you’re not buying high-quality jewelry.
• Inspect the gemstones. Make sure any gemstones in the jewelry are securely set. Also check for any chips, cracks, or other damage to gemstones. Reputable jewelers can provide a certificate of authenticity for pieces that contain diamonds or other precious gemstones.
• Look for craftsmanship. High-quality jewelry exudes excellent craftsmanship, with attention paid to even the smallest of details. If you see rough edges or visible seams, it can indicate poor workmanship.

Protect Your Jewelry the Right Way

Finding a good jeweler is essential if you want to protect your jewelry. They can provide you with expert advice on how to clean, maintain, and store your fine fashion and custom jewelry pieces. If you need inspections or repairs, they can handle those needs also.

By following these 5 tips and relying on a reputable jeweler, you can enjoy your jewelry collection for years to come.