An Expert’s Guide to Taking Care of Your Most Precious Jewellery
There are many factors that can cause the everyday wear and tear of your jewellery, and it can be quite a headache when you find that your favourite piece of gold or silver has been a victim to accidental damage.
If your jewellery suffers any breakages, don’t give up hope! Find yourself a reliable jewellery repair company, such as the Jewellery Doctor; an efficient and safe service for customers where all you need to do is take your jewellery to the post office and after that the expert team will do the leg work. Don’t try and fix it yourself, as you could end up making the situation worse. A reputable company should be able to save your bracelet, necklace or rings. Start by getting a free quote, then simply send your jewellery off with Royal Mail for a speedy and fault-free repair.
Whether it is a set of pearls you want to have repaired, gold, a precious gemstone or a wedding ring to be passed on from one generation to the next, the process is utterly safe and hassle-free. First, you will receive a pre-paid Royal Mail Special Delivery envelope. When the jewellery then has been received cautious care will be taken; inspected by one of their fully qualified and skilled jewellers before a detailed quote is sent to your email. Most repairs at the Jewellery Doctor will be carried out within 5-10 working days, and you can enjoy wearing your favourite bracelet again in no time.
We met with Barry Koervers, the brains behind Jewellery Doctor, who provided us with some valuable tips on how to ensure that you keep your treasures safe and sound. Follow his guide to taking care of your jewellery in order to wear your most treasured gems for years to come…
Remove your jewellery before bed
It is always recommended that you put on your jewellery in the morning and take it off at night before bed. Also, you always want to make sure you remove your jewellery before workout, cooking, having a shower, swimming or any house and garden work, to prevent unnecessary wear to a piece of jewellery. Even the most seemingly innocent practices, such as washing your hands can contribute to dirt adding up over time, which will then take the glow and shine off even the sparkliest items pretty quickly.
If you are lucky enough to own some quality gemstones, these will risk losing their shine when exposed to perfume, lotions, oils etc. Therefore apply your perfumes, skincare, lotions and hairsprays before you put on your jewellery, and if possible in areas that won’t come in contact with your jewellery.
Clean your jewellery regularly
Did you know that you should regularly clean your jewellery? Not only is this important to keep germs at bay, it will also help to retain the shine and quality of your pieces. Use a soft lint cloth, and avoid any rough fabrics. If you need something a little more effective than just a cloth, try using soapy water and a toothbrush. Avoid any strong washing up liquids, and handle with care! Once you’ve cleaned your jewellery, gently pat dry with a cloth and store in a pouch.
Store your jewellery in a safe place
It’s best to keep your jewellery stored individually and not in a jewellery box with other items, this is when necklaces will become mysteriously tangled and it could result in damage. For items of sentimental and monetary value, you should store in a soft pouch to keep them protected from rubbing and scratching on surfaces and other jewellery. Pro tip: make sure you keep all of your necklaces fastened, otherwise you may spend hours on end trying to detangle all of your chains. All jewellery should be stored in a clean, dry place and ideally out of sunlight as this can actually tarnish silver and gold.
Keep away from chemicals
Jewellery is extremely susceptible to damage from chemicals, so you need to be super careful even when practicing your everyday rituals such as spritzing on your Chanel No.5 and painting your nails. If any of these chemicals come into contact with your silver or gold, they could erode the surface and leave you with a damaged piece of jewellery. Body oils, deodorants, body sprays and even sun lotion can cause significant damage so try and avoid using these products when wearing your jewellery, or alternatively, seek out natural formulas which contain no harmful chemicals. If your jewellery features any precious stones and crystals, you need to be even more mindful as even water can cause damage. It’s best to remove this type of jewellery when showering and swimming.
Take out insurance
If you’re concerned about your expensive jewellery, it’s a good idea to take out insurance in the event of any mistakes or accidents. It’s better to be safe than sorry, and whilst not all jewellery can be replaced, for example, family heirlooms and vintages pieces, it might soften the blow. Of course, you still need to ensure that you’re following all of the above steps to make sure your jewellery is kept in tip-top condition.
Follow these top tips and your jewellery will remain safe and looking pretty on you for years to come!
For more information or to book a reliable jewellery repair today, visit jewellerydoctor.co.uk. YCB readers can now get a 10% discount by using the code “yourcoffeebreak”!
