In one way or the other, we may own a piece of jewelry. Whether it was given to us by our elders as a family heirloom or we were able to buy it as our memorable first purchase from our very first job, we definitely have a ring, a pair of earrings, a bracelet, or a necklace safely stored within our bedroom cabinet or drawer. Sometimes, it is even given as a symbol of love, as evident with married couples and their wedding rings. In spite of the fact that they are costlier than the average shoe or apparel, they are still regarded as one of the most in-demand accessory to date. During company parties, you may be wearing a ring or a bracelet, something to accentuate your current outfit for that occasion. You may even find a couple of your fellow church goers wearing an article of jewelry every Sunday mass. Indeed, we Filipinos have our own taste and preference when it comes to jewelries. Now, this doesn’t mean that we always get to wear them. As unfortunate as it is, the current economic climate does not permit us to wear expensive accessories outdoors, unless we wish to brush shoulders with unscrupulous characters in the streets.
Yes, jewelries are more of a “very special occasion” ornament rather than a daily piece to wear, which is why they should be stored safely and properly in order to maintain their shine and precious condition. This may all sound simple from the get-go, but many people do not actually know how to take care of their valuables, let alone their jewelries. People often have the misconception that gold, silver, diamonds, etc. may never fade or does not get affected by any external means. This belief is wrong and should be corrected from the beginning. As costly as they are, they are not safe from the same conditions that also affect our most-prized possessions such as our shoes, bags, and gadgets. In such case, we have prepared a couple of helpful tips in maintaining and preserving one’s jewelries overtime.
- Clean your jewels before storing.
Okay, so after a night of partying you decide to go home and rest. You change back to your comfortable home clothes and store your jewels inside its usual jewelry box. However, you seemed to have skipped a very important part of preserving your jewelry. You did not clean it before putting it back in its box. Be sure to wipe off any dirt or moisture that may have accumulated within the fine crevices of your jewelry. Moisture may cause your jewels (specifically, the metal parts) to tarnish or degrade much quicker. Any liquid can be a catalyst of degradation on jewelry, ranging from sweat to raindrops, so be sure to wipe it off completely before putting it back. Here’s vital information that you may have not heard of before, storing tarnished jewelry together with untarnished jewelry may cause both pieces to tarnish as well. Think of it as a form of infectious disease which may spread across your precious gems. Of course, you wouldn’t want that to happen.You may ask, “How do I even clean my jewelry?” If you’re looking for a very efficient way, we were able to find the following method from a reliable source:a) Mix a few drops of mild dish detergent and lukewarm water.
b) Saturate the jewelry briefly in the solution.
c) Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to buff away and dirt and debris.
d) Pat jewelry dry with a lint-free cloth.
e) Remove tarnish with a silver polishing cloth.If it all seems too tasking after a long day of work and partying, then by all means, feel free to use a simple cloth to wipe away any moisture or dirt. But if you really want to be thorough with your cleaning, then stick to the method above.
- Store your jewelry properly.
As with any valuable item, jewelries should be stored in a proper manner and in an appropriate storage place. To further elaborate on this, here are a couple of examples:Jewelry made of silver should be stored in a jewelry box lined with felt. The felt helps absorb excess moisture and prevents premature tarnishing.
• For larger jewelries, be sure to store them separately inside a felt pouch or wrapped in a silver polishing cloth to limit their exposure to air. This would lengthen their lifespan, with a small caveat; you may not be able to tell them apart when picking what to wear. This is why you’ll have to remember which is which, when choosing what to wear on that particular occasion.
• Feel free to clean your silver jewelry regularly. On average, you’ll need to clean it at least twice a year to remove any tarnish. Keep in mind that you may need to avoid overdoing it, as this may also cause damage.
• Segregate your jewelries. Store them in a way that they do not come in contact with the other gems. This is particularly critical for diamonds, as they may scratch other stones and metals within the same storage.
• Keep your pearls inside a wooden box that has a felt lining. Never store pearls inside a plastic bag or box because plastic can interact with the pearls and cause them to deteriorate. - It’s all up in the (hot) air.
Yes, even your current temperature may affect your precious gems. The rule of thumb is to avoid wearing your jewelries in hot weather, especially if it’s made of gold. According to an online source, “gold is a very soft metal, and the higher the karat (meaning the purer the gold), the more vulnerable a gold piece is to nicks, scratches, and even warping.” The hotter it is, the more likely it is to be affected by other solid objects, thus, there would be a higher chance of it getting scratched, or worst, being bent out of its normal shape.
Okay, so you’ve finally learned about proper jewelry storage and preservation. But what happens when you find yourself in need of extra cash? If you seem to be lacking for next month’s groceries and bill payments, you may need to pawn of your jewelries for a while, until such that that you may buy them back again. No worries, as Cebuana Lhuillier has got your back. With their Pawning Service you can never go short in any amount, as they accept an array of items, from jewelry to gadgets, as collaterals. They also lead the pawning industry by offering safety and the highest appraisal rate in the industry in its more than 2,500 branches nationwide. And did we mention that they implement some of the most secure and safe way to transact during the pandemic? The proper social distancing and disinfecting procedures are followed within all the branches of Cebuana Lhuillier at all times, prioritizing their customer’s health and well-being above all. Visit your nearest Cebuana Lhuillier branch now – we assure a fast, easy and secure transaction.