Tip of the week: How to care for your jewelry.

A lot of people don't realize that all the lotion and day to day dirt that find it's way into the crevices of your favorite jewelry pieces are doing them harm. This is something I see everyday working in a jewelry store. Someone will bring in a piece of jewelry that hasn't been cleaned in years, and it will need a complete rebuild. All that day to day grim (even lotion or perfumes) tend to help the process of wear on your metal.

People expect that over time your jewelry will be worn down by banging against the wall, dropping it on the floor, or accidentally falling into the garbage disposal. Even sliding your hands in and out of your pocket can cause wear on a ring. However, no one ever thinks that the little bit of lotion you put on everyday rubs away the metal from the inside out as it builds up. I'm not saying you should give up lotion or perfume, then we'd all stink. It's just something every jewelry owner should be aware of.

This is what I propose. If you own any fine jewelry (gold, diamonds, etc.) the easiest thing to do is go to your local jewelry store. Most of them clean and check your jewelry for free. If they charge for this service, run away! It's the best thing for these materials, because it's free and you have professionals to let you know if something may be wrong. Most stores have bottles of jewelry cleaner available, either free with purchase or charge a small fee. My work offers a cleaner for $3 to give you something to use at home in between check-ups. I know it sounds like a dentist's office, and it isn't far from it. We recommend that you have your pieces checked and cleaned once a year. How simple is that?

Even though someone else cleaning your items may be convenient, fine jewelry stores won't always take in your costume or sterling jewelry. It's a good thing it's easy to do at home, and with something everyone probably has on hand. Dish soap. Yes ladies and gentlemen, I said dish soap. I'm not trying to name drop, but dawn is probably your best bet. What you're looking for is any gentle detergent, and many people recommend dawn. If you've happened to purchase the jewelry cleaner from you local jewelry, they basically work the same. Remember, don't forget your toothbrush. I'd get an extra. Don't use your own ; )

A simple solution of dish soap and water along with the scrubbing action of your toothbrush is good maintenance for any piece of jewelry even pearls. Since sterling silver and plated metals are tarnished just by coming into contact with the air, keeping these items in a Ziploc bag will help prevent tarnishing. Regular wear of your sterling jewelry is also good to prevent tarnishing. Just by brushing up against your skin or clothing can polish the surface of sterling. Anti-tarnish paper is also available to keep your metal sparkling. You can store a strip of it in your jewelry box, but it only lasts 6 months to 2 years.

Gold and silver plated items, even vermeil, should be cared for like sterling, but they are a slightly different animal. You can mostly assume that all costume jewelry has been plated with just about anything to make it shiny. Caring for these items takes more care. They shouldn't be worn in pools, while bathing or even when you apply perfumes or hairspray. Any chemical in these products can discolor the plating, and once it's turned there's no turning back. Unless you have it plated again (which would be more expensive to have done then the piece probably cost). This advice also goes for pearls.

Many of you may own polishing clothes. I do. These are not a bad item to have, but read its use carefully. Many will list a number of items they shouldn't be used on such as certain gemstones, pearls, and plated metals. If you take good care of your jewelry, you typically won't have a need for one. Just keep a mindful eye on your jewelry and it should last you for years to come.

I would like to thank my fellow blogger for the question that led to this blog. Thanks again and keep the questions coming. Just post a comment on a jewelry technique you'd like to know about, and I'll post a blog about it. One last food for thought. If you have frosted silver and would like to maintain the matte finish, use a white toothpaste instead of dish soap.