Top Tips for Caring For Handmade Designer Jewellery

When you have invested in a beautiful one of a kind piece of jewellery, such as a piece from Amanda Coleman Jewellery, you will want to do your best to keep it in great condition for as long as you have it. Many pieces of handmade designer jewellery are quite precious and delicate which need to be treated with a great deal of care. Here are some tips that you should keep in mind for keeping your precious pieces of jewellery in tip-top shape:

Know When Not To Wear Your Jewellery

There are some times when wearing your jewellery puts you at risk of breaking it, such as wearing it during physical exercise or when you are doing strenuous work. In these situations, you should keep your jewellery at home. Even diamonds can be damaged by an impact or a heavy blow – although they are one of the strongest substances on earth they can chip if they are struck at the right angle.

There is obviously no need for you to wear your jewellery to the gym, while playing sports or while doing heavy physical work such as cleaning out the garage or moving home. During these situations, your finest jewellery is best left safe and sound in the jewellery box.

Keep It Clean

It is also important to maintain your jewellery and keep it as clean as possible. If you allow dirt to build up on your jewellery over a long period of time, this accumulation of grime will stop it from looking its best. Also the build-up of dirt will cause scratches on the metal and can put pressure on the joints and the claws, which can loosen precious stones from their settings.

What is the best way to clean your jewellery? Try soaking it in a bowl of warm soapy water for 10-15 minutes. Then use a soft-bristled toothbrush to clean the dirt from the grooves and setting of the jewellery. Pat it dry, buff it with a jewellery or glasses cloth and then leave it to dry. Remember to clean it in a bowl and not the sink so that there is no risk of the jewellery falling down the drain!

Storing Jewellery Correctly

When you are not wearing them, how should you store your jewellery to keep it safe? The best way is to store the jewellery in soft containers or pouches. If you put all of your jewellery together in one box, they will rub together and scratch each other.

Another great tip is to try adding a pouch of silica gel to the box or the bag. These pouches are usually found when you buy a new handbag or pair of shoes. It will reduce the amount of moisture within the box and ensure that the jewellery is kept dry.

Also make sure that your jewellery box is not kept near a window within direct sunlight. The heat from the sunlight can soften the metal and dull the look after too much exposure. Keep the jewellery box somewhere dark and cool. It is also important to keep it somewhere not-so-obvious rather than a focal point in your room – this will make it more difficult for thieves to find if your home is broken into!

Have it Routinely Inspected

Make sure that you take a close look at your jewellery as often as possible so that you can spot any damage or loose stones before they become a problem. For example a loose stone might fall out without you noticing or a broken clasp might result in you losing the jewellery altogether if it falls off while you are wearing it. If you inspect them closely then you will be aware of a problem before it occurs.

If your jeweller offers a routine inspection or service, such as a complimentary cleaning, you should take them up on the offer so that you can ensure that your jewellery will remain in the best possible condition. When you spot these issues early you will be able to fix any signs of wear and damage that might compromise the piece later. You can really rely on the expertise of a professional.

Avoid Wearing Jewellery to places like the Beach

You might want to look glamorous while lounging by the beach, but you should avoid wearing your jewellery in this situation! First of all, the sand can mark the precious metals with many tiny scratches, which will detract from its brilliance. Secondly the salt water can be corrosive to the precious stones and metal turning them a greenish hue.

Another risk is that your fingers will constrict in the cool water, causing your ring to fall off. A strong wave can pull a necklace or a bracelet off very easily. For these reasons, itis much better to avoid wearing your jewellery to the beach.

Keep it Away from Chemicals

Did you know that many of the common chemicals we are exposed to on a daily basis can be very damaging to jewellery? Chlorine in swimming pools, ammonia in household cleaners, even perfume and hairspray can cause harm to your precious metals. Always avoid wearing your jewellery when you are swimming or cleaning and apply your perfume and hairspray before putting on your jewels. If you have already put on your jewellery and you forgot to spray your perfume, you can always spray it on a scarf or higher up on your arms instead so that you can keep it away from your jewellery.

Be Gentle with it

Even though your designer handmade jewellery is made from metal, it is delicate and it is easy to damage! Try not to be too rough with it when you are putting it on and off. For example if your bracelet has a clasp don’t stretch it over your wrist put it on the way it was designed to be put on. It is designed to be fastened around your wrist, so stretching your bracelet over your hand will cause stress on the clasp and make it much more likely to break.

Handmade designer jewellery is beautiful and is a delight to own. It is important to give it some tender loving care so that it will last as long as possible. Take these tips into consideration when you are caring for your handmade designer jewellery, so that you can cherish its unique beauty for many years to come.