Care key to extending life of jewelry

Taking proper care of your jewelry is one way to extend its life and value. Here are some tips from jeweler David Runyan and antique jewelry collector and former goldsmith Judy Lauterbach.

Pearls in peril

People don’t know how to take care of pearls, laments Lauterbach. Hairspray and perfume will kill them. Sweat, too. They get dirty and start to disintegrate. Don’t wear perfume around the neck, and don’t spray your hair while wearing them.

Wipe them off with a damp, soft, lintfree cloth when finished wearing them, and then put them away.

And be sure to restring your pearls every few years if you wear them frequently.

Wearing down

If you wear two rings together, be sure to solder them. Over the years, the rings rub together. Many older rings will be damaged the most, Runyan said, because they might not have much wear left or be made of a thinner mold.

And speaking of wear, Runyan said wearing your jewelry to bed causes that, too.

“A ring will actually push on sheets, rub back and forth. With a chain, it probably causes more wear and tear on it during the night than in the day. It twists and rubs back and forth on the sheets.”

Clean is good

“Some people are really startled to see what a piece looks like clean,” Lauterbach said.

Jewelry can be professionally cleaned, or you can try your hand at it at home.

Get a glass of warm soapy water (mild, not detergent), put the jewelry in it overnight and clean with a soft brush or lint-free cloth.

But be warned: Most costume jewelry can’t take moisture.

“It turns the stones dark and then it has no value,” she said. “The stones have foil on the back and that will separate from the glass.” Runyan said that regular cleaning of jewelry also helps the pieces last longer.

“With rings, there can be a lot of soap, grime and lotion, which can also cause damage.”

Stay away

Make sure to not wear your jewelry while soaking in a hot tub or going for a dip in the pool.

Runyan said chlorine and bleach are not very good for jewelry, especially when it is made of white gold. White gold has nickel in it, which can break down and become brittle.

“It can happen over a period of years,” he said. “You may not remember swimming while wearing it, but your grandmother may have.”

Get regular check-ups

Runyan suggests getting your rings checked and cleaned every three to six months, depending on how much you wear them and how hard you are on them.

Lauterbach said it is a good idea to frequently check to see that the stones are tight in the ring.

“I’ve seen a carat diamond missing a prong,” she said. “If a ring starts to snag on things, then you know it needs to be looked at.”
Source: columbian