These are all my favorite ways to store jewelry — what are yours?
Engagement Rings: Have You Ever Upgraded, Downgraded, or Swapped It Out?
So here’s something that I know people do but never really hear people talk about: upgrading engagement rings. If you’re married, engaged, or just fond of thinking about rings: when, if ever, can one “upgrade” an engagement or wedding ring to get a larger diamond, adding more stones like baguettes or upgrading the setting to … Read More about Engagement Rings: Have You Ever Upgraded, Downgraded, or Swapped It Out?
Jewelry for the Office: Fashion or Fine?
Jewelry for the office: fashion or fine? Is fashion jewelry or fine jewelry more appropriate for the workplace — or is it a know your office situation? Is there such a thing as everyday fine jewelry, other than an engagement ring? Does price and taste enter into it? (Bonus question for the bottom of the … Read More about Jewelry for the Office: Fashion or Fine?
Work Jewelry: How Much Jewelry Should You Wear to Work?
2018 Update: We still stand by this post on how much work jewelry to wear and links have been updated below; in a semi-related discussion you may want to check out our discussion on when to upgrade you engagement ring. Ladies, how much work jewelry do you wear? Do you tend to lean towards “too … Read More about Work Jewelry: How Much Jewelry Should You Wear to Work?
Tips on Fine Jewelry Care
What are the best ways to care for silver, gold, platinum, and diamonds, pearls, and other gemstones? In the past we’ve talked a lot about jewelry, including jewelry storage, avoiding necklace tangling, upgrading your jewelry collection (and starting one), how to buy jewelry gifts, how to mix metals when you wear your jewelry, wearing religious jewelry at the office, how to buy pearls (and when to wear them), and how to buy jewelry in general — but we haven’t looked at jewelry care in detail.
In general, it’s smart to follow these tips for all of your fine jewelry:
- After wearing your jewelry, gently wipe it off with a 100% cotton cloth.
- Remove jewelry before gardening, cleaning, doing home repairs or other physical work, playing sports, getting into a hot tub or pool, showering/bathing, or swimming in salt water.
- Put on makeup, lotion, perfume, and hair products before putting on your jewelry. Avoid letting jewelry come into contact with soap or sweat.
- Protect your jewelry by storing it in individual boxes or soft bags, and don’t keep it in your car, near windows or heat vents, or in direct sunlight. In general, keep jewelry out of extreme temperatures.
- Don’t use a polishing cloth on a piece of jewelry with a matte or oxidized finish.
- If you clean your jewelry near a sink, close the drain!
- Ask your insurance agency what’s covered in your homeowner’s or renter’s policy — you may want to buy additional insurance coverage.
Here are some tips that are specific to certain kinds of jewelry:
Sterling Silver
Sterling silver is an alloy made of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals (usually copper), and it may be marked “sterling,” “sterling silver,” “ster,” or “.925.” Because air will cause sterling silver to tarnish (specifically, sulfur-containing substances in the air), it’s a good idea to store it in a bag made of tarnish-proof cloth, or a sealed plastic bag or airtight jewelry box. (There are plenty of products that promise to prevent tarnish.) (Pictured: Anna Beck ‘Gili’ Small Bar Stud Earrings, $40; were $68.)
Frequently wearing your silver jewelry also helps prevent tarnishing, although it’s best to remove it if you’re going to come in contact with:
- bleach or ammonia (or other cleaning products; even soap can lead to buildup on silver)
- chlorinated water (pool, hot tub, etc.); salt water
- perfume, lotion, and hair products (make sure any lotions and/or perfumes have been absorbed into your skin first, and apply all hair products — especially hairspray — before putting on your silver)
- heavy perspiration (remove your silver before you work out)
After taking off your silver, it’s a good idea to use a jewelry cloth to wipe off any residue that may have accumulated during the day. When it’s time for a cleaning, something you should do regularly, use a polish or cloth specifically made to remove tarnish. The inside of a polishing cloth is for cleaning off residue; the outer layer is for buffing afterward. Avoid using tissues or paper towels, as the fibers may scratch your silver, and if your jewelry has been oxidized to produce an antiqued effect like this, never use polish, a polishing cloth, or a jewelry dip.
Gold and Platinum
Most gold jewelry is either 18 karat (75% gold) or 14 karat (58.3% gold). A safe way to clean it is to add a little dish detergent in a bowl of warm water (2 tablespoons in 1 quart of water) for a few minutes, gently cleaning it with a clean cotton cloth or soft toothbrush. Rinse it under warm running water (remember to close the sink drain just in case!) and then gently dry and buff it with a soft, lint-free cloth. Here’s a video from Real Simple showing a similar method. You can clean platinum — a very durable metal — the same way.
White gold gets part of its appearance from rhodium plating, while rose gold is a gold-and-copper alloy. If you notice the finish on your white gold start to wear, ask your jeweler about having it re-plated.
Pearls
Most pearl necklaces come in a velvet case or bag, which you should keep them in when you’re not wearing them. Don’t store anything else in the case (other gemstones, etc.) to prevent scratches — pearls are very soft! Also, don’t store pearls in a plastic bag or keep them somewhere that’s very dry (they might crack), very humid, or very hot. Fasten clasps and store pearl necklaces flat rather than hanging them up, as the silk thread can stretch over time and may break. Pictured: Mikimoto Akoya Pearl Choker Necklace, $3,360 at Nordstrom.
Don’t let your pearls get wet, and keep them away from vinegar, detergents, hair products, perfume, sweat, direct sunlight, and water. After each wearing, wipe them gently with a soft cloth (never use an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner!), and to be safe, take necklaces to a jeweler to be restrung (or at least checked) every three years, or more frequently if you wear them often. In the meantime, inspect them regularly yourself; if you start to see spaces between the pearls, take them to a professional.
Diamonds and Other Gemstones
Clean your gemstones with dish soap and warm water only (see gold/platinum cleaning instructions above). Place a strainer on top of a bowl to catch any lose stones so that they don’t get lost during cleaning. If your jewelry includes organic gems or opaque stones like coral, opals, lapis lazuli, pearls, turquoise, or emeralds, it’s best to have them professionally cleaned; the most you should do at home is simply wipe them with a soft, damp cloth. Never use an ultrasonic cleaner, bleach, or ammonia on your gemstone jewelry. Pictured: Starshine Sapphire Ring, $2,400 at Sundance.
Products like hand lotion and hairspray can build up on crystalline gemstones (such as amethyst, citrine, and peridot.) and can even cause discoloration on some stones as they become absorbed over time. As for storage, never keep pearls or opals in plastic, because they need to “breathe” — fabric is a much better option.
To protect the gemstones or diamonds of your engagement (or other) rings, have a jeweler regularly check if the prongs are secure when you bring it in for a yearly or twice-yearly cleaning. After years of wear, the prongs may need to be re-tipped (rebuilt) as the gold, silver, or platinum wears thin from normal use — including getting bumped and caught on things — to prevent the loss of a gemstone.
Readers: Have you bought additional insurance for your fine jewelry? How often do you take your jewelry to be professionally cleaned?
Pictured at top: Diamonds are . . ., originally uploaded to Flickr by Earl.
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Jewelry Organization
How do you organize your jewelry (work jewelry and fun jewelry) at home? Reader L wondered: You recently posted about traveling with jewelry, which is really helpful as I’m traveling more for business. However, storing my jewelry at home is another beast altogether. Jewelry boxes don’t do it for me (too many funky/chunky costume bracelets and … Read More about Jewelry Organization
The Next Step: Jewelry for Work
We look at how to upgrade your jewelry for work, including how to shop the different tiers of jewelry shops, from cheap/mass market to indie to estate and beyond!
Are Midi Rings Appropriate for the Office?
Are midi rings appropriate for the office? They’re super trendy, but are they polished enough for work?
Coffee Break: Small Pavé Huggie Hoop Earrings
I always love my huggie earrings, and these look like a great, affordable option thanks to the small pavé crystals (instead of diamonds). As always, I find huggies super comfortable for long phone conversations, unlike post earrings, and they lend a finished look without being distracting when you speak, like a lot of dangling earrings … Read More about Coffee Break: Small Pavé Huggie Hoop Earrings
How to Buy Jewelry For The Women In Your Life
Ever wonder what to get your mother, secretary, or sister in law for the holidays? Jewelry always seems like a safe choice, but you have to do a bit of analysis — fortunately guest poster / Corporette commenter Kanye East is here to advise us on how to buy jewelry for the women in your … Read More about How to Buy Jewelry For The Women In Your Life
A Discriminating Woman’s Guide To Buying Jewelry, Part Two: Pearls
A big welcome to commenter Kanye East (lawyer by day, jewelry fan by night!) with her pearl guide!
The Best Splurges
What items are “worth the splurge” if you have a healthy amount of discretionary income? Reader S wonders… Here’s my idea for a post – what are the central items that are “worth the splurge” for those of us with a healthy amount of (but not unlimited) discretionary income? I’m thinking there are certain purchases … Read More about The Best Splurges