In that perfectly curated jewellery box might be some of the most meaningful, beautiful, and possibly expensive pieces you own, but are you treating them with the utmost care? Mistakes are made easily. When you own something as precious as a piece of jewellery, you want to take care of it properly to prevent nasty accidents that may ruin it completely. We are giving you a little advice on what not to do with your precious jewels to ensure your favourite pieces last you a lifetime, who knows you can even pass them on to the next generation.
Mistake #1 | Never Taking Jewellery Off
When you find a piece of jewellery you adore it quickly becomes part of your daily outfit; when jewellery is so comfortable and effortless to wear is it tempting to put it on and never take it off. If you never take your jewellery off it is likely you wear it when showering, doing the housework, cooking, sleeping, and all those other countless daily tasks. Without realising you could be exposing the precious metal to harsh chemicals that may cause corrosion, tarnishing, and discolouration over time. Remember to remove your jewellery during activities to protect it from accidental damage.
I usually cringe when I hear my clients say they do not remove their necklaces at all, on one occasion my regular client Sharmaine came in to buy her fourth gold chain to layer with the ones she had bought before. After completing our transaction, she insisted on wearing her new purchase, excited I was, and I quickly jumped to help her wear it. To my surprise the other 3 necklaces she had on were completely tangled at the back and her long hair did not even help either. The chains had already lost its shine because she mention she had not removed them in 5months. I quickly removed all three chains for a deep clean and enlightened her on how she was damaging her 18k figaro chains. Jewellery can likely take a dip in the pool or even an occasional shower at the gym, but it is not a good idea to make it a habit. 10 days later she came to pick up her newly polished unmatted chains with a huge smile on her face. This takes me to the next point.
Mistake #2 | Not Cleaning Jewellery
All jewellery will eventually need a little TLC to bring back its shine. I have seen several rings come into the store for repair or resizing, but they come in completely caked with lotion and with dirt under the prongs. Please do not walk around with such rings. At home maintenance for a quick fix works wonders. We recommend using lukewarm water, a mild soap, and a gentle cleaning cloth preferably a microfibre. Also, you can use a soft child’s toothbrush to gently clean your pieces. Make certain your jewellery is completely dry afterwards and you will end up with beautifully radiant jewellery.
Sometimes we don’t need the hustle of DIY right? why not take your jewellery to the actually professionals who are good at their craft. Just like you would never go years without getting your car serviced, you should not skip taking your jewellery in for a tune-up. Visit any of our Aurex branches for a deep clean, I guarantee you that the pieces will come back as good as new. It also gives us the opportunity to check for any damage or wear. For instance, people may not realise if they have loosened a ring’s prongs. We will tighten them to prevent loss of stone.
Mistake #3 | Not Storing Jewellery Properly
It is tempting to take your jewellery off at the end of the day and keep it at the side of the bed ready for the next morning. But jewellery can become easily tangled and exposure to sunlight can slowly cause discolouration. The number one thing to do when storing neck chains, close the clasp and hang it on a necklace tree or place it in its original jewellery box. When storing your jewellery, make sure the chain is fastened to prevent tangling and never leave your jewellery in direct sunlight. Also avoid storing your jewellery in a place where humidity is an issue, especially bathrooms. Sterling silver jewellery will tarnish faster in humid places.
Mistake #4 | Putting Jewellery on First
One of the most common causes of damaged and broken jewellery is snags on clothing and exposure to beauty products. Getting dressed after putting on your jewellery can lead to accidental breakages, most distorted or snapped chains. If you wear skincare, makeup, or perfume, jewellery should be put on after applying these too. The ingredients in beauty products can lead to tarnishing and permanent discolouration. Jewellery should be the last thing you put on and the first thing you take off.
