A day in the life of jewellery - how to care for it to keep it beautiful

Author: Veronika Kulíková

Do you have a ritual before going to work or going to school with your children? Checking your purse, keys, perfume... what about jewelry? Today, we're going to share with you that it is ideal to put those on just before you open the door to the new day. Read on for more tips on what to do to keep your valuables looking glamorous and shining - maybe even for generations to come.

Precious metals and gemstones in general are among the materials that are "unbreakable" - unlike the first prehistoric ornaments made from organic materials (grasses, leather or shells), they don't break, shatter or crack so easily. Still, there are a few simple rules to follow throughout the day to ensure that you continue to enjoy both modern and antique jewellery for as long as possible.

Put jewellery on last

There are many reasons to wait to add jewellery to the end of your morning routine. Earrings can snag on your scarf, a ring can "wrap" the mesh on your tights, but your jewellery also doesn't really benefit from cosmetics. Chemicals in perfumes, varnishes or creams are harmful to some gemstones, especially those of organic origin (pearls, amber, coral), and they also create a coating on the surface of valuables that prevents them from sparkling, or deposits under the stones that can be very difficult to remove. It is therefore best to wait for the cosmetics to "settle" before adding jewellery to the outfit.

Jewellery doesn't like to sport

We have already covered this topic in our summer article - jewellery and sports don't go well together. You can hurt yourself or your teammates, but you can also hurt your favorite pieces. Aside from warping or breaking, the biggest risk is chemically treated water, especially for sterling silver. If it's rhodium plated, it's probably fine, but untreated precious metal is very likely to stain, tarnish, or completely change color due to sulfur compounds and other substances in the water. Thus, bathing or swimming with jewellery, whether contemporary or antique, cannot be recommended under any circumstances.

Watch out for house chores

"Beware of household chores" with rings and bracelets - of course we don't want to discourage anyone :-) In addition to the negative effects of cleaning products, there is also the risk of heat-related harm, for example. The heat from the oven, steam over a pot or cleaning with hot water can especially harm gemstones with inclusions (emerald, ruby) and those with water content (precious opal). However, all jewellery can be mechanically damaged when working at home, so it is better to put them away in a safe place beforehand.

Storing your jewels

... ideally in a jewellery box with separate compartments. Your jewellery should not touch while in the storage space to avoid scratches. Again, be careful with pearls in particular, whose surface is particularly vulnerable, and not just in contact with very hard diamonds - all jewellery should be stored in separate boxes or platters so that they do not come into contact with each other. Closed boxes and cases also protect them from substances naturally occurring in the air, thus, for example, slowing down their oxidation (blackening of silver).

Jewellery cleaning

All valuables need to be cared for from time to time to keep them as shiny as when you first brought them home. However, every piece of jewellery needs something different. The much-loved ultrasonic is great for pieces with diamonds, for example, but stones with more pronounced inclusions shouldn't be exposed to it - especially with natural emeralds, we wouldn't recommend this. Most jewellery with stones can be cleaned safely with warm water and dishwashing liquid (ideally without softening agents) and an ultra-fine brush.

Pearls and precious opals, on the other hand, should be wiped with a damp cloth without the use of detergents. Special attention should be paid to antique garnet jewellery, which should preferably not be soaked; dirty pieces should first be picked up with a dry or slightly dampened soft brush. In the old days, Bohemian garnets were in some cases backed with paper, and immersing the jewel in water could damage it.

If you're not sure how to clean your jewellery, it's best to consult the experts. We will be happy to advise you in our store.

Last thing to put on, first thing to take off

As the previous paragraphs show, it's best to store your jewelry for goodnight once you get home. This will allow you to enjoy them for a longer period of time, preventing premature wear or damage.

Come to Antiques Cinolter to choose your antique jewelry. Customer service includes advice on caring for your purchased jewelry and free cleaning for life. We will be happy to see you in our store at Maiselova 9!