To lengthen the life of your jewelry, you need to take care of it. Different styles of jewelry need different method of cleaning. Some jewelry gets easily damaged, tarnished and dirty. So you need to properly take care of them to preserve its beauty. The following lists are some recommendations on how to keep your jewelries in good condition.

1. Check Your Jewelry – Always check the jewelry for damage first before cleaning it. Not doing so may worsen the damage if there is a loose gem or bent tips.

2. Read Instructions – There is already an available commercial cleaner in some store. When planning to use these cleaners, be sure to read and understand the manual first.

3. No Bleach – Do not bleach your jewelry. Bleaching your jewelry may make it brittle since bleach has a content that cause metals to become very brittle. Remove your jewelry when swimming in a pool or hot tubs since chlorine may be added in the water that will also cause brittleness. Do not pour jewelry with turpentine, acetone and other chemicals that may destroy the gems of your jewelry or make jewelries become dull.

4. Try Light Cleaning First – There is some jewelry that only needs a brush or cloth in keeping them clean. Like some stylish jewelry that has feathers or gems that are soft don’t need harsh cleaning. Using a cloth or brush with soft bristle will do the thing. You can use a 100% cotton cloth by gently wiping out the dirt and dust. Make sure to use a new cloth since an old cloth may have dust on it or other sharp materials that may strip the jewelry you’re cleaning. There are also sunshine cloths that are commonly used for polishing silver, gold and gemstones.

5. Limit Possible Damage – Always remember to remove your jewelry before taking a shower or cleaning. Removing jewelry before heavy exercise is also recommended. Soap may also tarnish some jewelry.

Use these tips for cleaning your jewelry, and your jewelry will last much longer.

You may also be interested in:

• How To Clean Pearl Jewelry

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The most important rule when taking care of body jewelry is to make certain it is clean before wearing.

Best Way To Clean Body Jewelry

The recommended way to clean body jewelry is with water and mild soap. Often alcohol will discolor and possibly damage body jewelry. Cleaning before and after each wear helps ensure safe wear.

How to Deal with Redness From Body Jewelry

Occasionally, ones body will become red after wearing body jewelry. If you know you are not allergic to the metals involved, often the piecing just needs to be cleaned with salt water. Sometimes, using a commercial formula of salt water can make a huge difference. We recommend trying: H2Ocean Body Piercing Aftercare Spray, a Healing Formula. It often helps when other solutions fail. Sometimes soaking the area using a cotton ball for 15 minutes at least once a day can change a painful piercing to being a healthy piercing.

If you think you may have problems with the actual jewelry, read about: jewelry allergies.

Storage

If you keep pieces separate, they will not scratch each other. Wrapping them in soft cotton is recommended. Keeping your jewelry and your jewelry box outside of the bathroom (where there is lots of moisture) and out of the sun/away from the heater (where it can get very hot) is also a wise idea. Low humidity and moderate temperatures are best.

Non-Piercing Body Jewelry

If you are prone to jewelry allergies or infections, consider non-piercing body jewelry. Here are some articles that may be helpful:

• Favorite Non-Piercing Body Jewelry
• Anklets
• Toe Rings

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One of the best kinds of jewelry to collect and accessorize with is platinum jewelry. It is important that you know how to care and clean these pieces of jewelry in order to preserve its value in the future whenever you plan to sell it to other people or pass it down to your children. But before going deeper into that, you have to know the basic details about platinum jewelry. This type of jewelry is more durable than gold and silver.

The good thing about platinum jewelry is that it can be shaped and designed into all kinds, making it a great accessory for those who like to collect jewelry. It’s made of high quality craftsmanship and is more affordable as well, so in order to preserve its glamour and beauty, here are some general platinum jewelry care and cleaning tips to use:

• It is important that you store your platinum items from other pieces of jewelry so that they won’t get scratched or stained by the others. You might also want to keep your platinum jewelry in a safety box to ensure that your items are secured.

• Cleaning should be done bi-weekly, and is best done with specialized jewelry cleaner. If you have platinum only jewelry a simple soap mixture will gently rid your items of dirt and bacteria. Rinse and pat dry with a soft cloth. Of course, if your jewelry contains gemstones, be certain to follow any precautions for accordingly.

• If you want optimum jewelry care, you can take your items to the jeweler’s or any jewelry shop for cleaning and polishing. You can do this about twice a year depending on how badly scratched the item is. This is also your chance to get your jeweler to make adjustments or improvements on your platinum jewelry.

If you enjoy platinum jewelry, you may want to learn facts about platinum. Sometimes knowing a bit of history and trivia can help one enjoy their jewelry even more.

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We see silver necklaces, gold earrings, platinum rings, and more in jewelry stores of famous jewelers, but one type of jewelry that most people tend to underestimate is pearl jewelry. This is so because unlike gold or diamond jewelry, pearls are made of organic materials, therefore are very susceptible to dirt and all kinds of damage that could decrease its value.

Cleaning Tips

If you own pearl jewelry, remember that using cleaning solutions, detergents, or anything that has harmful chemicals should be avoided. If for some reason your pearls have gotten really dirty, here are some cleaning tips for pearl jewelry:

• Remember that using any type of detergent or harmful soap can damage the pearls in an instant.

• The preferred method it to use an extremely soft cloth (such as a chamois) and VERY gently wipe the dirt off your pearls. This is usually considered the safest method but you need to be very careful as you don’t want the dirt you are lifting off the pearls to actually scratch the pearls.

• If that is not sufficient, you can gently clean them using a damp cotton bud that has been moistened in water and an extremely tiny amount of very mild face soap. This is to clean out all the dirt that could have accumulated in areas like the string, the knots, and even the drill holes on the pearls. For expensive pearls, use a Pearl Cleaner to avoid damage.

• If your pearl jewelry gets wet, instead of drying the pearl jewelry using a towel, let the pearls dry in room temperature. Remember, the less number of times the pearls are touched, rubbed, and brushed by rough surfaces, the better. Once you see that the cloth underneath the pearl jewelry is dry then they are ready to be stored.

o Always remember that when drying, never hang them or keep them dangling from a hook.

• Be certain your pearls are dry before wearing.

Pearl Care Tips

• Pearl necklaces that are strung on silk need to be stored flat as silk stretches over time.

• Always put on your pearls after applying makeup; remove them before removing makeup. Perfume, makeup, makeup remover and hairspray can damage pearls easily.

• Do NOT store your pearls in plastic bags. Store them flat on something soft and padded.

• Always remember that pearl jewelry should never be worn when taking a bath as this could damage the pearls. Take them off before heading into the showers.

• Remove your pearls before participating in sports – especially swimming.

Using these simple techniques your pearls should be able to be enjoyed by generations.

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There are all kinds of jewelry, ranging from long necklaces to the smallest of rings, and each piece has its own methods of care and cleaning. Rings for instance are some of the most challenging to maintain because they tend to collect a lot of dust and soap due to its small size. You’ll realize when you begin cleaning your own jewelries that it takes time and should be done regularly in order to maintain the brilliance of the ring. This article is going to give you a rundown on some of the most important tips and cleaning methods when it comes to rings.

• When cleaning your ring, if it holds crystalline gemstones, all you need to do is to soak the ring in water mixed with mild dish soap or detergent. You can then start scrubbing off the dirt and possible grime in the difficult areas of the ring using a soft-bristled toothbrush. (Do NOT do this with opal rings!)

• Remember that you are handling a small piece of jewelry, so to avoid losing it or dropping it into the drain, it is best to wash it in a bowl of water big enough for easy scrubbing and cleaning.

• Once you see that the ring is clean, you can rinse all the soap off through tap water and pat the ring dry with a soft cotton cloth. Make sure that the cloth is lint-free in order to avoid small strands of thread getting stuck onto the ring.

• Cleaning a ring can also vary depending on the gemstone it holds. If the ring holds a diamond, ruby, or any kind of precious stone, you can always clean it using a touch of ammonia into the water to give it a little shine afterwards.

• Be careful when using different chemicals in cleaning your rings. Some gemstones can get tarnished or affected when you use chemicals to clean it.

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If you have silver jewelry that has tarnished that doesn’t have gemstones or other items that could be damaged by water (ie: feathers, finishes harmed by water, etc.) this method can be much easier than using a Sunshine cloth. It is especially helpful for cleaning silver chains.

NOTE: many gemstones have a polish that can be removed (lapis, malachite, jasper, agate, etc.). Please do NOT use this method for jewelry like this! See cleaning silver jewelry for alternative methods.

Things you need:
* An Aluminum pan (or a pyrex dish lined with aluminum foil)
* Baking Soda
* Boiling Water

Place jewelry and baking soda in aluminum pan. Carefully add boiling water (try not to breath any fumes). Wait up to 3 minutes. Remove if untarnished. Rinse jewelry. Repeat if needed.

Here is a nice video that shows the process:

You can wait longer than the video shows and usually you don’t need to cover jewelry with baking soda. However, it is great to see the process of how to clean silver jewelry.

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Whether you are a jewelry wearer or a jewelry maker, many of us have lost beads at one time or another. Here are tips that can help you not lose beads all over the floor — as well as how to recover them if they do!

Tips for People Wearing Beads

1) Buy Jewelry That Has Knots Between Beads

When you buy jewelry that has lots of beads that is strung on thread (like pearl necklaces), buy strands with knots between each bead. This way if it breaks, you at most lose only one bead.

2) Check End Points for Jewelry Made on Wire

Sometimes jewelry made on wire has the ends become loose or undone. A simple check to make certain the ends are secure can prevent beads from going everywhere.

3) Store Strung Beads Flat

As thread will stretch due to gravity overtime, make your necklaces last longer between re-stringings by storing them flat. A jewelry roll works wonderfully well for this.

4) What To Do If Your Necklace Breaks

If your necklace breaks in a place that a vacuum can be used you can either put a nylon stocking over the nozzle and get the beads before they enter the bag or search the vacuum bag after fact. (We prefer the stocking method.)

Tips for People Making Beaded Jewelry

When beading it is easy to have beads go all over the place, here are some tips that can help.

1) Secure Ends During Beading

Whether you wrap your thread around cardboard or use a beadstopper, prevent your beads from going all over the place if you get interrupted in the middle of a project.

2) Use a Flocked Bead Board

A flocked bead board helps beads to not move as much when jostled. You still need to be careful, but they help substantially.

3) Knotting Necklaces Help The Wearer

Though it takes longer to make, fragile beads don’t chip and the purchaser of your wares don’t lose their beads.

Hopefully these tips will help you stop losing beads and enjoy your jewelry longer.

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Tips on Organizing and Storing Your Jewelry

Whether you own lots of jewelry or very little, having your jewelry organized can make it easy to find as well as prevent scratching. Practicing good jewelry storage helps keep your jewelry looking great longer. Sterling silver jewelry needs extra attention to prevent tarnishing; bead necklaces (including pearls!) need to be stored flat to avoid stretching. So here are some tips to organize your jewelry:

Tips Based on Quantity

Knowing the quantity and types of jewelry to store will help you size your jewelry box, chest or bag.

• If you only own a small amount, a jewelry travel case often will work great.
• For many, a simple jewelry box on the dresser is most appropriate. This will have several compartments to fulfill your needs.
• If you own lots, a closet organizer with pockets for each piece of jewelry (or pair of earrings) may be the way to go.

Tips based on Jewelry Type

Determine how much of each type of jewelry you own. The types will help you realize what kind of separate sections that container needs. How many bracelets, earrings, necklaces, and other types do you need to store?

• If earrings are your thing, an earring tree allows easy access. If your earrings are all sterling silver, an earring tree will also get your earrings to tarnish faster. Instead, put them in a jewelry box with each pair in a nice sealed plastic bag. See Keep Your Silver Jewelry Shiny. Your earrings will look gorgeous longer.
• If you love necklaces, anklets or bracelets, getting a jewelry box with necklace hangers is great — except for jewelry pieces strung on silk or nylon as it stretches. So keep your pearls, lapis and bead necklaces that are strung with thread flat. For beaded necklaces, jewelry rolls are fabulous. (See silver jewelry note above.)
• For rings, ring holders can sometimes work. They make it easy to find your rings. However, the silver recommendation stands (put them in plastic). You also want to make certain that stones will not scratch each other.
• Simply separating all jewelry prevents tangling which is very nice.

Tips Based on Home Furnishings

You need to take into account how much space you have and where you can put your jewelry box or bag. Here are some ideas:

• If you are short on space but need easy access to a few pieces, consider having two places. One smaller jewelry box for usual everyday wear on the dresser; another for unusual items that stays in the closet or a drawer.
• Using a closet organizer can be a real space saver and easy way to store jewelry. You can either make your own or adapt hanging shoe organizers to this purpose.
• For really expensive jewelry, consider a safe for security.
• Consider your style, choose a jewelry chest that matches your room decor if possible. Having it be one you adore is perfect!

Most important is creating a jewelry organization system you will use and enjoy. Whether you use one box or many – they only work as well as the person using it.

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When you open your jewelry box and see your favorite silver jewelry piece tarnished, it is very disappointing! So how do you keep your silver jewelry looking its best?

Here are the most important things you need to do for silver jewelry care:

The Best Way to Store Silver Jewelry

First, we all know that silver tarnishes. It oxidizes. So the key is to prevent this process. Some of the ideas are common sense, others take a bit more thought.

Wood and wood products react with silver. That means if you store your silver touching wood, cardboard or paper, it will tarnish faster. Usually, you will see recommendations on keeping your silver in anti-tarnish paper and sealed air-tight plastic bags. This is the reason why. You want to have your sterling silver to NOT be exposed to air as that is why it tarnishes. You also want to be certain you dry your jewelry (with cotton!) first as if there is moisture in the bag your efforts will be in vain.

Simple Ordering Change

Next, silver and chemicals interact. That means when you put on that hairspray or perfume, it may react with your rings. So always put on jewelry after you apply your makeup, perfume and hairspray and it has fully dried. Conversely, remove your jewelry before removing your makeup as the removal process also has chemicals.

Find more ways to keep your silver jewelry shiny and bright on silver rings.

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It is expensive to lose earrings… So here are so simple ways to keep them much longer. Never lose earrings again!

1) EASY No-Lose Earrings

The best style of earrings (that are are able to be removed but hard to lose) are leverback earrings. They are made in such a way you can’t lose them as they fasten closed. That is why Diamond Leverback Earrings are so popular. They are worth investigating when buying earrings as they look beautiful, are simple to use, and are hard to lose.

Many dangle earrings can be converted to a leverback style at your local jeweler — but you may want to try our next tip as an inexpensive alternative.

2) Earring Stoppers For Your Fish Hook Earrings

Many people don’t realize that when they buy earrings and there are rubber stoppers on the back of the card, that they can use them to keep the earrings on their ears.

If you already own fish hook earrings but didn’t keep the rubber safety stoppers (or the earrings didn’t come with safety stoppers), you can buy rubber stoppers for the back to make sure your won’t lose them. They take an extra moment to put on, but they work like magic.

I searched and found that ArtBeads had them for a dime each (calling them Clear “Rubber” Earwire Clutches) with FREE shipping.

3) Easy Storage When NOT Wearing Your Earrings

Storing earrings properly makes it much harder to lose earrings. You’ll want 2 places to store your earrings.

One place will be in your purse so if for any reason you need to take your earrings off, you have a designated place. A second a known place should be where you live. If you only own a few pairs of earrings, you can keep them all in the same portable place. However, many of us have several pairs of earrings.

To store earrings in your purse, I recommend one of the small silk zippered bags. A small silk pouch can easily hold any pair of earrings, look beautiful and usually be very inexpensive.

Not being able to find your earrings in the morning, is almost the same as losing them as you can’t wear them when you want. So make sure the place at home keeps your earrings neat and easy to find like an earring tree.

So follow these earrings tips and save yourself money and time.

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