We all have our favorite jewelry -- maybe it's a piece we save to wear for a special occasion or something we wear every day.
Taking proper care of those pieces isn't always top of mind, but it's important. And easy.
We talked to jewelry experts Donna Hankin of Cary, N.C.'s Joint Venture Jewelry and Trey Bailey of Rocky Mont, N.C.-based Bailey's Fine Jewelry to get some easy tips on how to properly wear, store and clean jewelry to ensure it will last forever.
INSPECT JEWELRY OFTEN
Hankin recommends you inspect fine jewelry every three to six months -- you can do it yourself, or take it to a jeweler. Pay close attention to loose stones and bent prongs. Take pieces to a jeweler as soon as you find something out of place.
Jewelry should also be inspected after cleaning. Built-up grime can form between a stone and its prongs, so once the grime is cleaned away, the stone could become loose.
spring for A GOOD CLEANER
Most jewelry stores sell a reasonably priced cleaner. Though there are do-it-yourself jewelry cleaner recipes online, Bailey suggests you go ahead and pay for the certified stuff.
But be sure to check the labels for what jewelry is OK to put into the cleaner.
"Don't let silver sit," Bailey says. "Just dip it in and wash it off with water. If you leave it in for hours or days, it can come out black."
If you mess something up, don't worry; jewelers can correct most jewelry cleaning mishaps. And many jewelers will inspect and clean fine jewelry pieces at no charge. Jewelers use hot pressure steam and ultrasonic cleaners to remove tough-to-reach grime and bring the sparkle back to dull pieces. It is important to note that these machines cannot be used for silver or soft stones like emeralds, turquoise, pearls or opals.
STORAGE MATTERS
Catchalls and decorative boxes may be stylish ways to show off or store jewelry, but they can cause serious damage. Storing different types of metals and stones together can lead to tangling, scratching and even tarnishing.
Our experts recommend using a jewelry roll or an organizer that has an individual pouch for each piece. For extra protection, look for organizers that are lined with tarnish-resistant cloth.
CARE FOR SOFT STONES
Pearls are staples in the South, whether in stud earrings or long necklace strands. But the semiprecious stones are extremely delicate, and their soft outer shells are susceptible to many daily abuses.
Grime can easily stick to pearls, causing them to lose their luster. Pearls should be wiped clean only with a soft cloth like a chamois, usually sold in jewelry stores. Soap and water or jewelry cleaner should never be used to clean pearls because they can deteriorate the outer shell.
And since pearls are usually strung on a silk strand, they should never be stored hanging, as this can stretch out the silk and cause undesired spacing between the stones.
Like pearls, soft stones such as opals and coral should never be stored in dry places. These stones need moisture, and can actually crack if kept in a dry place or if they sit in the sun too long.
"We have customers that bring us heirloom pearls or opals that have sat in a safety deposit box and have been ruined," Bailey says.
DON'T LET DEAD WATCHES SIT
High-end timepieces, especially older ones, need to be handled with care. If the battery dies in your watch, replace it as soon as you can. If the watch sits for a long time without moving, it could affect its ability to keep time properly.
If you have an older watch that requires a winder, Bailey recommends asking a jeweler to do it for you. Or, if you wind it yourself, do some research to find out the direction it needs to be wound and how often.
KNOW WHEN TO TAKE IT OFF
"As a general rule, jewelry should be the last thing you put on before you walk out the door and the first thing you take off when you get home," Hankin says.
And sometimes, it shouldn't be worn at all.
Wearing jewelry during physical activity like weight lifting, yard work, cleaning or swimming can cause serious, sometimes irreversible damage.
The chlorine in swimming pools is notorious for tarnishing silver. Weights can bend rings out of shape and necklaces can get caught during physical activity, causing chains to snap.
Rings, the most popular jewelry item for men and women, are subject to a lot of wear and tear. Hankin recommends taking off rings when sleeping. "Wearing rings for a long time causes a buildup of bacteria between the ring and skin, and it can cause a rash."
INSURE IMPORTANT PIECES
Proper maintenance on fine jewelry pieces will allow them to perhaps become heirloom items, but sometimes even the highest level of attention isn't enough.
"Anything over $2,000, we recommend our customers consider getting insured," Hankin says.
Insuring jewelry will allow you to restore it in case a stone is lost, or the piece is damaged or stolen.
GET THE PRO TOUCH
Professional cleaning is not the only service jewelers offer. For new life, take in items that are scratched or are just a bit dull.
Gold is a hearty metal, but it can be polished if needed on a jeweler's wheel. White gold that is experiencing gold bleed-through can be replated with rhodium. And if your watch crystal is scratched or a stone is loose on your favorite ring, a jeweler can swap out the crystal or reset the stone.
IF YOU DON'T KNOW, ASK
Jewelers are always happy to answer questions. If you are unsure about how to store or clean a specific piece, Bailey and Hankin recommend customers take the item to their local jeweler for inspection. While there, ask about specific maintenance needs for stones or metals.
High Profile on 09/18/2016