Luxury jewelry care spans across millennia as jewelry itself has always played an important role in the long history of human beings. Jewelry made of stones, shells, and bone dates back to the prehistoric era, possibly created as a means to wear protective tools against everyday dangers or to signify different statuses within a community.
Now, jewelry takes on many forms and is worn for numerous reasons, such as spiritual protection, to show love, or just to look good. It is also now made of various fine materials, such as recycled gold, ethically sourced gemstones, and conflict-free diamonds.
Whatever kind of jewelry you have, make sure to take care of it, particularly the fine jewelry that is created today. Regular jewelry cleaning is important for maintaining luster and wear. Continue reading to learn how to practice luxury jewelry care for your precious pieces.
Why Invest in Fine Jewelry?
Before we dive into the cleaning aspect and proper care of fine jewelry, let's look at why it would be beneficial to own precious rings, bracelets, and necklaces in the first place, aside from looking nice.
Fine jewelry lasts forever
When you purchase an item that is made from real materials, you are investing in longevity and truly getting your money's worth. While fine jewelry may be more expensive than costume or fashion jewelry, it lasts a lifetime- or two- and is highly unlikely to end up in a landfill due to poor quality.
This is what happens with fast fashion" jewelry: it is gold-plated and made of imitation gems that easily tarnish, break, and turn your skin green. And what happens when these jewelry pieces quickly finish their lifespans? They go in the trash. This makes fast fashion jewelry less environmentally friendly than fine jewelry that is durable and can be fixed multiple times.
The diamond doesn't get its reputation as being the strongest metal on Earth for no reason.
And not only can fine jewelry be fixed repeatedly, but because it is made of precious natural metals, it can also be melted down and turned into entirely new pieces of jewelry!
Fine jewelry design is essentially a form of metal art where materials can be melted and manipulated time and time again. No trash bin here!
Fine jewelry is always valuable
Say you want to sell a piece of your fine jewelry. Well, you can do that no matter the time in your life. Gold will always be gold, and platinum will always be platinum. The market may fluctuate, which will determine how low or high the value, but your jewelry will always offer a price even if you melt the metals, as previously mentioned.
And don't forget the gemstones (diamonds, rubies, sapphires, pearls). Depending on how rare your gemstone may be, it could be worth a fortune in the future!
Fine jewelry can have physical health and spiritual benefits
To start, luxury jewelry is hypoallergenic and safe for all skin types (that includes you, sensitive skin). It contains no nickel, a common allergen, and we mentioned no green skin, right?
In addition, gold has been deemed to offer numerous health benefits, such as:
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regulating body temperature
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healing wounds
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Alleviating arthritic and negative mental health symptoms caused by stress and anxiety
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Promoting skin health
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boosting immunity
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aiding in overall well-being
Gemstones, historically lauded for their metaphysical benefits, also help by promoting healing and offering guidance, wisdom, protection, and enlightenment.
Diamonds are believed to be the gemstone of the intellect, offering clarity of thought. Talk about a girl's best friend.
Fine jewelry can be worn every day!
Flaunt your precious metals and stones every day, as that is what they were made for. Real metals and organic gemstones can withstand the elements of the human body, such as sweat and light wear-and-tear.
Try to avoid prolonged exposure to harsh chemicals that can create dull gemstones, such as soaps and shampoos.
Now to the Cleaning
Luxury jewelry care is about keeping your jewelry luxurious, radiant, and well-kept for future generations. For jewelry wearers, having clean jewelry is as much a part of your wardrobe as non-scuffed shoes and smooth pressed pants.
Use specially made fine jewelry cleaner along with soft brushes and radiance washes. Avoid abrasive cleaners and use gentle scrubbing. If you are hesitant about DIY jewelry cleaning or have many pieces that need attention, consider opting for a professional cleaning.
How to Perform Luxury Jewelry Care
First, store your jewelry in a clean, dry space
Jewelry boxes were made for a reason. When storing your jewelry in a box, choose a fabric-lined jewelry box with compartments and dividers. The soft fabric, typically satin, will prevent scratching, while the dividers will prevent tangling and make your pieces easier to find among one another.
Plus, you will always have a designated place for your pieces!
Avoid harsh chemicals
The self-grooming industry is filled with tons of products that make us look fabulous, smell good, and feel great. Products such as lotions, hairsprays, and nail polish removers can be damaging to certain gemstones and discolor gold and platinum. It is best to set your jewelry aside until you are ready to wear it.
When it comes to handwashing, avoid getting soap on your rings as residue build-up on stones can cause a look of dullness. Keep this in mind to be sure to clean your rings appropriately.
Use this same advice when handling cleaning products, which can be even more abrasive than soap. Put your jewelry aside in a safe place until you are done cleaning.
When in doubt, take the jewelry off
The ocean, swimming pool, and gym aren't ideal places for fine jewelry, especially rings, which can easily slip off.
If you are doing any activities that may scratch your jewelry or increase the risk of losing your jewelry, just take your pieces off and put them in a safe place.
Use mild cleaners for regular cleanings
For DIY cleanings, it is often recommended to use gentle dish soap with warm water and a toothbrush. While fine jewelry is meant to be durable and long-lasting, that doesn't mean pieces can withstand careless cleaning.
Another technique that has become popular is ultrasonic cleaning. With this type of cleaning, jewelry is placed in a solution in a container that utilizes high-frequency waves to remove dirt and grime.
The benefit of an ultrasonic cleaner is that it works quickly and cleans thoroughly. It is used in multiple industries besides jewelry cleaning. The cons, however, are that ultrasonic cleaning can sometimes shake gems loose or chip them if done incorrectly. Not all gemstones can go into an ultrasonic cleaner. With ultrasonic cleaning, it may be best to take your jewelry to a professional jeweler.
Lastly, once every 6 months, consider having more delicate pieces professionally steam cleaned.
Ensure your jewelry
A jewelry appraisal is the first step to insuring your jewelry. Just like any other highly valuable item that you own, it would be best to get insurance. It's not a good feeling losing your diamond jewelry that you would have to pay full price for again if your earrings or bracelets are not insured.
Fine jewelry is an investment, and you'll want to protect your investment.
Conclusion
Luxury jewelry is a must-have for many human beings in society, but it is also not easy to come by for many human beings in society. This is why, if you do get a highly valuable jewelry piece, you take care of it and keep it safe..
Just like the jewelry created before modern times, diamond jewelry, pearl necklaces, and turquoise stones can be passed down from generation to generation, always maintaining an asset and a story-telling piece in the family.
Do not take fine jewelry for granted. Research the precious gemstones and metals that you are wearing. Ask a professional jeweler about pieces and cleaning. Enjoy your sparkling new jewelry!