Tips on cleaning vintage & antique jewelry

If you have a collection of beautiful antique jewelry but don’t know how to properly store it and care for it, the last thing you want is to damage your collection in any way. These are some tips you can follow to make your antique and vintage jewelry last for long. The first tip is to avoid storing all your pieces together because they might get entangled and scratched. It is important to leave space between one piece and another or to place them in individual bags. Be aware that extreme or sudden fluctuations in temperature may affect the glue and cause the stones to fall from your jewelry.

Moisture is jewelry‘s worst enemy because. It can trigger rust, pitting of metals, and stones releases, so it is vital not to wear jewelry in places like the beach, saunas, swimming pools or even during rainy days. Similarly, when you are doing house cleaning, refrain from using your jewelry because it could be bruised, scratched or severely affected by the chemicals you employ. Another important aspect is selecting a jewelry box that is lined with velvet, so your antique jewelry pieces are protected against any exterior damage and are kept free of moisture.

When you are cleaning your jewelry, consider the many cleaning products available in the market useful for this task, but avoid those that contain alcohol, acid, or ammonia, as this may cause irreparable damage to your antique jewelry. Before cleaning make sure that there is no powder or other  residue and make sure the stones are well attached so they are not lost during the cleaning process. Afterwards, promptly dry your pieces with a soft clean cloth.