Simple Tips For Cleaning and Storing Vintage Jewellery
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Vintage jewellery is exceptionally beautiful and very important to many people, so making sure that you are cleaning and storing it properly is key! Although vintage jewellery has stood the test of time, this is likely because it has been looked after well. So, cleaning your pieces regularly, taking them to a professional and storing them in a cool, dry place will help to prolong the life of your vintage jewellery collection!
Clean Them Regularly
Cleaning vintage jewellery is really important to make sure that you prolong the life of it as much as possible. Removing dirt, dust and grime regularly, particularly for pieces that you wear often, is essential to keep it in immaculate condition. For pieces of jewellery you wear everyday, such as vintage engagement rings, you should clean them properly once a month. For pieces you wear less often, this will be more like every 3 months.
To clean them properly, create a weak mixture of warm water and mild dish soap. Using a very soft bristled brush, gently clean the ring to remove any dirt or dust. Avoid submerging the jewellery, as this could weaken settings. Once the dirt is removed, rinse it well under room temperature water and then leave it to hang until completely dry, usually around 24 hours. If you put a piece of jewellery away when it is even remotely wet, it is very likely to rust and damage the jewellery. So, allowing it to dry properly should be a priority.
Go To a Professional Once A Year
As well as cleaning your vintage jewellery yourself intermittently, you should take your pieces to a professional vintage jeweller once a year. Many companies will actually offer this as a complimentary service for life, depending on the value of the ring, so it is worth asking when you make the purchase. A professional will be able to identify any weaknesses in the jewellery and can fix anything if it’s required. They will also be able to offer a deeper clean without damaging the jewellery.
If your jewellery is particularly delicate, such as a string of pearls, it would definitely be worth having them cleaned more regularly as opposed to doing it yourself at home, just to be safe. Although this requires up-front payments, it will certainly be worth it to keep your jewellery in the best possible condition.
Store Them In A Cool, Dry Place
In terms of storing the jewellery, it is important that you keep it in a cool, dry place. Moisture or extreme heat can both have a serious impact on jewellery, such as weakening settings, causing rust or resulting in gemstones being damaged.
Keeping your jewellery in a jewellery box, on or in a soft pouch is best. Making sure that they are separate from one another is also important to prevent any kind of tarnishing.
Your vintage jewellery collection is likely to be very important to you, so investing some time and money in maintaining it properly will definitely be worth it in the long run!
