DIY: HOW TO PROTECT YOUR JEWELRY

Hello FAM. Happy Holiday!!!

Oh the relief of not having to wake up at 5 A.M to prepare for work. The inner alarm clock won’t let someone be great though. Still woke up at 5. *sigh* Hopefully, tomorrow will be better.

Today, we  are going to be sharing tips on protecting silver tone, gold tone and other costume jewelry.  Everybody has that special, shinny and beautiful jewelry that they want to keep forever. We all can’t afford diamonds/gold…Yet! (Hahahahhah! Yet because the diamonds are coming). Besides, the cutest and latest fashion jewelry are only available in High Street shops, No?  LOL.

Although gold plated pieces are good substitute to solid gold because it’s difficult to tell the difference, they still need to be given a certain amount of care if you want the gold to stay bright and retain its luster. The everyday basic fashion jewelry also requires special care. It gets really annoying when they start to turn brown on you and tarnish. The reason why they tarnish is because of the exposure to moisture. Unfortunately, because they are not the real thing, you can’t polish them.  But hey, just because they are not expensive doesn’t mean they should not be taken care of.

We have compiled a list of different ways to preserve your jewelry and keep them shiny like new. Whether it’s your favorite N500 neckpiece or a gemstone worth more, our safety tips will ensure that your jewelry stays nice and shiny always. It will also help to make them last as long as possible.

1. Clear Nail Polish

Since all you need to prevent your jewelry from moisture is to create a barrier, the clear nail polish does a perfect job of protecting your jewelry. Paint the top visible part of the jewelry, let it dry for a couple of hours, flip over the piece and repeat on the other side. For a better finish, use only a thin layer of nail polish.

2. Quick wipe down

Give your jewelry a quick wipe down after wear with a soft clean cotton cloth to remove anything that may have settled on the piece. After the wipe down, store in a jewelry box or a cloth pouch. Remember not to store your jewelry by piling them on each other to prevent scratch marks. Always store separately.

3Air-tight  Bag

You can also store your jewelry in an air tight bag like Zip Lock bags (one piece per bag) to ensure it retains its luster. When metals are exposed to the air all the time, there is a reaction that causes discoloration. Moisture absorbent such as silica desiccant packets (those tiny sand like things that comes in bags) will help prevent tarnish.

Keep in mind that pearls need to “breathe”. Try storing them in a cloth bag instead.

Here are further tips to follow in order to ensure that your jewelry last longer.

 ALWAYS:

a) Make sure that your body products (hairspray, lotions, perfumes, e.t.c) are dry before putting on your jewelry. Chemicals are corrosive and can speed up tarnish process.

b) Store properly in a jewelry box or cloth pouch. We will talk more about storage in our next post.

c) Clean with mild soap and water to remove built up dirt, then pat dry with a soft cloth. This will ensure that it retains its sparkle.

 DON’T

a) Wear Jewelry while swimming as the chlorine can cause damage to gemstones and gold. The gemstones may also become loose and fall off.

b) Wear your Jewelry while exercising to please the hot guy in the gym. LOL. Sweat can speed up the tarnish process. This rule also applies to house hold chores and gardening.

c) Store directly on wood surfaces or pile your jewelry on top of each other. Storing on wood surfaces will cause discoloration.

d) Wash with toothpaste. Toothpaste has tiny abrasive elements that can destroy your jewelry.

Always remember that proper care and storage will ensure that your jewelry remains beautiful as the day you purchased it. Have a wonderful holiday. xxxxxx