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Dazzling jewelry makes you want to wear them, but if you don’t take good care of them, their brilliance will gradually fade. Beautiful jewelry is indispensable for a stylish outfit. Under strong sunlight and constant sweat, your jewelry will also look fragile. Jewelry made of different materials has different characteristics. Some are afraid of high temperature and acid, and some are afraid of collision and friction. Only by mastering some maintenance methods can your jewelry last forever. Caring for your jewelry properly will help it maintain its sparkle and longevity. Here’s a breakdown of how to clean and care for different types of jewelry:
General Jewelry Care Tips:
Regular Cleaning:
Wipe down your jewelry with a soft, clean cloth after each wear to remove oils and dirt. Regularly cleaning your jewelry will prevent buildup and keep it looking its best.
Storage:
Store jewelry separately to prevent scratches. Use a jewelry box with compartments or soft pouches. Keep jewelry away from humidity and extreme temperatures. Avoid storing chains tangled, lay them flat, or hang them.
Avoid Harsh Chemicals:
Remove jewelry before swimming in chlorinated pools or the ocean. Take off jewelry before cleaning with harsh chemicals, applying lotions, or using hairspray.
Professional Cleaning:
Have valuable pieces professionally cleaned and inspected at least once a year.
Cleaning Specific Types of Jewelry
Diamonds
Although diamonds have the highest hardness among natural minerals, they are very afraid of oil. Due to its lipophilicity, diamonds are prone to absorbing oil stains and dirt onto their surface, thereby weakening their own luster. In order to preserve diamonds for a longer period of time, it is not advisable to wear all jewelry with diamonds while doing kitchen chores, laundry, or other dirty work, and it is best to remove them when applying makeup. In addition, it is necessary to prevent exposure to high temperatures of 100 ℃ or above under the sun.
How to care for Diamonds
Use a solution of mild dish soap and warm water. Gently scrub with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Rinse thoroughly and pat dry with a soft cloth. For extra sparkle, a solution of water and a small amount of ammonia can be used, but use with caution.
K-gold Jewelry
K-gold jewelry is the most commonly worn jewelry by girls in summer because of its colorful styles and popular eye-catching style. But trendy friends who sweat easily in summer need to pay special attention! When K-gold jewelry is surrounded by sweat, it should be cleaned frequently and not let it come into contact with chemicals such as detergents, perfumes, nail polish, lotions, etc. K-gold maintenance method: If K-gold jewelry is stained with stains and dust, just soak and clean it in a neutral detergent diluted with warm water, then take it out and wipe it dry. Long-term wiping with flannel can also maintain the gloss of the K-gold surface.
Gold Jewelry
Gold jewelry has always been loved by people because of its unique value and beauty. In order to maintain the luster of gold jewelry and extend its service life, the correct maintenance method is very important.
How to care for Gold Jewelry
Similar to diamonds, use mild dish soap and warm water. Soak the jewelry for a few minutes and gently scrub. Use a soft polishing cloth to restore shine.
Sterling Silver Jewelry
Sterling silver jewelry is deeply loved by people for its unique luster and elegant temperament. However, sterling silver is easy to oxidize and turn black, so correct maintenance is essential.
How to care for Sterling Silver Jewelry
Silver can tarnish, so regular cleaning is essential. Use a silver polishing cloth or a specialized silver cleaner. A homemade cleaning solution of baking soda and water can also be effective. Another home method involves using aluminum foil, baking soda, and boiling water.
Pearl Jewelry
Organic gemstones are more afraid of acid than teeth, and they are also afraid of friction. Pearls and corals are called organic gemstones. They are very low in hardness and can easily lose their luster due to friction. Both are basically composed of calcium carbonate, which will be corroded and decomposed when exposed to acid. Tips: They are so fragile that they need to be specially protected from heavy blows and collisions, and kept away from sweat, powders in cosmetics, perfumes and hair lotions, etc.
How to care for Pearl Jewelry
Pearls are delicate and require special care. Wipe them with a soft, damp cloth. Avoid harsh chemicals and ultrasonic cleaners. Store them separately to prevent scratches.
Gemstones
Most gemstones can be cleaned with mild soap and water. However, some gemstones are more delicate than others, so research specific care instructions. Avoid harsh chemicals and ultrasonic cleaners for delicate gemstones.
Emerald
Emerald, one of the five precious gemstones, needs careful care. It is afraid of high temperatures and is prone to cracking under high temperatures. It is also best to keep it away from fire, as it will fade in color. It is slightly harder than jadeite, but more brittle than jadeite, so it cannot withstand impacts more than jadeite.
How to care for emeralds
When cleaning, you should use pure water to clean it. Never touch detergents or use ultrasonic cleaning, otherwise it is likely to cause irreparable damage to the gemstone. We usually think that precious gemstones such as ruby, sapphire, tourmaline, etc. are very hard and can withstand great pressure, but they also have a common weakness – they are brittle and cannot withstand being hit or knocked. Otherwise, they will collapse due to brittleness, or crack along the cleavage angle due to cleavage, resulting in breakage.
Opal
Opal is definitely the most difficult gemstone to maintain. Not resistant to friction: Opal has very low hardness and should be prevented from rubbing against other objects, otherwise large scratches will be left; Not resistant to high temperatures: Since opal contains water in its mineral composition, it will evaporate when exposed to high temperatures, causing it to lose transparency at best and crack at worst; Not resistant to acid: Opal has a porous structure, so it is not resistant to acid.
How to care for Opal
When facing such a delicate opal, you have to be patient and careful. You can usually use a damp cloth or a dry soft cloth to wipe it clean, and never soak it in water. If you need to store it for a long time, put it in a plastic bag with wet cotton wool or wool products to prevent dehydration and fading of the luster.
Costume Jewelry
Costume jewelry, as an important part of fashion matching, its maintenance can not only extend its service life, but also maintain its beauty.
How to care for Costume Jewelry
Costume jewelry is often made with plated metals, so it’s essential to be gentle. Wipe with a soft, dry cloth. Avoid water and harsh cleaners. Always be gentle when cleaning jewelry. If you’re unsure about how to clean a particular piece, consult a professional jeweler. When in doubt, less is more. mild soap and water is a very effective and safe method for many types of jewelry.