Caring for Your Handcrafted Jewelry: Maintenance, Storage, & Cleaning Tips to Ensure Longevity
Handcrafted jewelry is more than just an accessory. It’s a piece of art, a reflection of personal style, and often carries sentimental value. Proper care can ensure that your unique pieces last for years, looking as captivating as the day you bought them. Here are some essential tips to maintain their beauty and luster.
Proper Storage
Avoid Tangles: Use a jewelry box with individual compartments or hang necklaces separately to prevent chain tangling.
Anti-tarnish: Store silver and copper pieces in anti-tarnish bags (comes with every jewelry piece here at Freedom & Flow Designs).
Keep away from sunlight & moisture: Direct sunlight can fade gemstones, so you’ll want to be sure to keep them in a cool, dark and dry place. Be sure to not leave pieces in the car, especially on very hot days. Water can very quickly tarnish raw metals, so be sure to take your handmade pieces OFF when showering or swimming.
Cleaning Your Pieces
Soap & Water: Some jewelry can be lightly cleaned every-so-often using mild soap and lukewarm water with a soft bristled brush (like a soft toothbrush). Dry the piece immediately and completely, and follow with a good polish. Then your piece right back into storage to prevent tarnishing. the last thing
Specific Gemstone Care: Some gemstones are too porous (like turquoise or opals) and should NEVER be immersed in water. Research your gemstone or ask your jewelry about specific care for each stone. Cleaning solutions also tend to be too harsh for very delicate and porous gemstones. The chemicals in the solution can strip, dry, and crack your stones.
Polishing: Use a soft cloth to polish metal parts, restore shine, and remove dirt and fingerprints off of gemstones. Our favorite cloth to use is Sunshine Polishing Cloths. These cloths come with a special gentle solution in the fabric of the cloth that makes pieces beyond shiny and lustrous, and they can be used over and over again for many years. These cloths come complimentary with every high-end jewelry order or jewelry over $100. They work great on all metals.
Wearing With Care
Avoid Chemicals: Always remove jewelry when using harsh chemicals or lotions heavy fragranced with perfume. As mentioned above, harsh chemicals can tarnish and break down both metals and gemstones alike. Many chemicals do not come off of jewelry pieces, even when professionally cleaned. Our suggestion: remove the jewelry and keep your drips looking as new and shiny as possible so you can cherish your piece for many years to come.
The #1 Rule: Last on, First off: Be sure to make your jewelry the last thing you put on when getting ready, and the first thing you take off when going to bed to help avoid contact with makeup, hairspray, and perfumes. Chains from necklaces can easily tangle, break, or get caught in hair during sleep, so always be sure to take your pieces off when going to sleep at night.
Regular Check-Ups
Be sure to inspect clasps, prongs, and settings regularly to ensure they are secure and not bent or broken. If you notice any issues, consult a professional jeweler or the artist who made your piece for minor repairs.
Handcrafted jewelry, with its intricate designs and delicate gemstone, demands special care. By following these simple steps, you can ensure that your pieces remain a timeless treasure in your collection. For questions about repairs, polishing, and anti-tarnish, feel free to drop us an email, we’d love to chat!
