We're focusing on providing a little education today. While we're excited when you purchase a piece of handmade jewelry, we're even more excited when you get years of use from it. The best way to ensure your jewelry lasts for a long time is to care for it properly.
For this blog entry, we'll be providing tips how on to properly care for your handmade jewelry.
First things first - Handle with care! You should avoid tugging or pulling your jewelry. This includes elastic, chains, and clasps. You should take care not to drop or bump the jewelry on hard surfaces. Certain materials (stones) are more delicate than you think and can be damaged when exposed to higher levels of force.
Second - Store your jewelry properly. Whenever you are not wearing your handmade jewelry, store it in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight. You can store your pieces a jewelry box, soft cloth, or jewelry pouch to protect it from dust and scratches.
Third - Avoid contact with water. Avoid wearing your jewelry when swimming, taking a bath or shower, or doing any activities that involve prolonged exposure to water. Exposure to water can damage certain materials, cause tarnishing or rusting, and/or weaken adhesives used to assemble the jewelry.
Fourth - Put your jewelry on last. Apply all lotions, sprays, oils, and perfumes before putting on your jewelry. Lotions, sprays, oils, and perfumes can potentially harm your pieces. They will definitely soil your pieces.
Fifth - Take your jewelry off first. Avoid potentially snags and resulting damage by taking your jewelry off first.
Sixth - Clean gently. Avoid using abrasive materials or harsh chemicals to clean your jewelry, as they can damage the jewelry. If your handmade jewelry gets dirty or starts to tarnish, clean it gently with a soft, dry cloth. For a deeper clean, you may use a very small amount of mild soap and water. If you have any questions about specific pieces or stones, ask the maker.
Seventh - Get it checked. It is expected that over time, handmade jewelry can develop wear and tear, especially if it is worn frequently. It's always a good idea to get your jewelry checked by periodically to ensure that any damage or loose parts are addressed before they become a more serious issue.
If you follow these tips, your handmade jewelry will remain beautiful and last for years to come.
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