Why did a ring I bought just two days ago suddenly lose its shape? Why do necklaces easily get lost while being worn? Why are there scratches on the gemstone? Why did the gemstone’s color fade after wearing it for a while? Many people who purchase jewelry aren’t sure how to properly care for it, or they know the general principles but overlook the finer details. Today, De’er Jewelry is sharing some essential tips on jewelry maintenance; we hope this helps you cherish and protect your pieces.
I. Tips for Metal Maintenance
1. Gold deforms easily; when wearing gold rings, avoid lifting heavy objects—take the ring off before doing so.
2. K-gold is highly sensitive to bleach and perfume; be careful to avoid contact with these substances in your daily life.
3. Silver jewelry is susceptible to sweat; remember to remove and store it properly when you are sweating.
4. Platinum is prone to abrasion; try to avoid contact with other hard objects while wearing platinum rings to prevent scratching.
II. Tips for Gemstone Maintenance
1. Diamonds are vulnerable to impact with one another. Although they are the hardest gemstones (Mohs hardness of 10), you should never store multiple diamond pieces together in the same box.
2. High-hardness gemstones (Mohs hardness > 7)—such as rubies and sapphires (hardness of 9) or emeralds (hardness of 8.5)—are particularly vulnerable to damage from dropping or impact.
3. Low-hardness gemstones (Mohs hardness < 7)—such as jadeite—require protection from the sun; avoid leaving them in direct sunlight for extended periods, and remember to use a parasol when going out.
III. Often Overlooked Details in Jewelry Maintenance
Keep these two points in mind:
1. Put on your jewelry as the final step before leaving the house.
2. Regularly wipe your jewelry with a soft, lint-free cloth to maintain its original luster. Check the following 4 points regularly:
1. Regularly check for loose gemstones or clasps; looseness can easily lead to loss, so tighten them promptly.
2. Regularly check for deformation in gemstones or clasps; misshapen parts can also cause loss, so have them reshaped or repaired promptly.
3. Regularly check for signs of wear; if worn, have the piece polished or re-plated promptly.
4. Regularly check the tension of clasps or bracelet catches; a loss of springiness can easily cause the jewelry to fall off.
Avoid doing the following 6 things:
1. Do not expose colored gemstones—such as jadeite or padparadscha sapphire—to direct sunlight.
2. Do not store stones that require moisture—such as opals or enhydro agates—in dry environments.
3. Do not subject items like metal rings to heavy loads or pressure.
4. Do not pile multiple pieces of jewelry together.
5. Be careful to avoid snagging jewelry on loose threads in your clothing.
6. Do not wear jewelry while bathing.
Finally, a quick tip: carry a jewelry box with you. This allows you to safely store your jewelry when you take it off, preventing it from rubbing against or colliding with other items in your bag.