There’s a special sort of excitement around getting new jewelry, the kind that makes you want to wear it non-stop, or maybe even plan your next few outfits around it (that’s not just me, right?). And now that this new, wonderful thing is in your life, there’s an extra sense of wanting to taking care of it.
Though I talk a lot about cleaning your jewelry once it’s dirty, there are also some things you can do in the meantime to keep it looking fresh out of the box:
Take off your jewelry before using lotion, perfume, or washing your hands. There are oils and chemicals in them that are great for your skin, but can gunk up your jewelry. Lotion, especially, likes getting caught under stones and dulling their sparkle.
Remove your jewelry before jumping in the shower, taking a swim, or hitting the gym. Long exposure to water, pool chemicals, and sweat can start to break down metal finishes and eat away at more delicate stones.
Keep a ring dish by your bathroom sink. It’s a good reminder to take off any rings before washing your hands, and keeps them together until you’re done.
Store your jewelry in a dust bag or a padded box when you’re not wearing it. When jumbled together, pieces can get tangled or scratch each other.
Treat soft stones like pearl, turquoise, and opal with special care. They scratch easily and can absorb liquids or chemicals they come into contact with. Avoid submerging them in water, and cover them with your finger and gently scrub around them when cleaning.
These are all easy things you can do now to keep your jewelry looking its best. And once you’re ready to do some actual cleaning, I’ve got you covered.
In the meantime, enjoy!