Acquiring a new piece of jewelry is an exciting occasion, especially if it is a fairly expensive piece. You absolutely want to wear it as soon as possible and show it off.
Expensive jewelry should have a long lifespan because you want to keep wearing it and making it shine for years to come. However, people often find that expensive jewelry that they thought would last a lifetime can rust or become damaged.
Silver jewelry , gold jewelry, diamond jewelry, pearl jewelry, and other types of jewelry are all affected by different conditions. In this article, we explain what affects each type of jewelry and how to take good care of it.
What happens if you wet pearls?
Pearl earrings are a type of jewelry that people don't always know how to take care of. Pearls are very delicate gemstones that can be damaged very easily. It is therefore of the utmost importance that you know exactly how to take care of them and what you can and cannot do with your pearls.
Wetting pearls is never a good idea, as it begins to destroy the jewel. Pearl necklaces are damaged when they get wet, because the water damages both the thread and the pearl . When wet, the thread that holds the beads together begins to stretch and lengthen, so it quickly loses the desired shape.
Also, as the wire runs straight through the center of the pearl, it begins to damage the pearl from the inside, in addition to the external water damage. When this happens, the internal composition of the pearl begins to break down. Whether it's a pearl necklace, pearl earrings or a pearl bracelet, they will all suffer the effects of water deterioration if not cared for properly.
When they come into contact with water or any liquid, the pearls slowly begin to discolor and move away from the pristine cream color they once had to more yellow and gray tones.
What kind of jewelry can you wear in the shower?
Most people wear their jewelry in the shower for purely practical reasons. If you wear jewelry every day, taking it off to go in the shower can seem painful and unnecessary. However, it is important to know that some jewelry cannot withstand this continuous exposure to water, while others have no problem with it.
Can you wear freshwater pearls in the shower?
The contact of pearls with water can be disastrous for the jewel. They are extremely delicate and should be treated as such.
Not only can pearls be damaged by water, but there are other hazards that can affect pearls in the shower. For example, the soap, shampoo, conditioner, or oils you use in the shower contain chemicals that can further damage your pearl jewelry. In general, it's not a good idea to wear your pearl jewelry in the shower .
Can you wear white gold in the shower?
Wearing white gold, solid gold or yellow gold in the shower is not as bad as wearing pearls in the shower. Although wearing them in the shower every day may possibly reduce the shine of the jewelry, it does not harm the metal itself.
On the other hand, what can become a problem is to wear gold-plated jewelry in the shower. Showering with gold-plated jewelry risks wearing down the thin layer of gold metal that coats your jewelry until it disappears completely.
In general, forgetting to take off your gold jewelry in the shower is not the end of the world. However, prolonged exposure to water can cause problems, and while it won't completely ruin the piece of jewelry, if you want it to remain in pristine condition, it's a good idea to avoid wearing as much as possible. gold jewelry in the shower.
Can you wear stainless steel in the shower?
Stainless steel is one of the most durable metals and is therefore preferred by people who do not want to worry about maintaining their jewelry. You can totally wear stainless steel in the shower!
The durability of stainless steel is why many piercers choose this type of jewelry for new piercings. In general, you cannot remove your jewelry right away when you have a new piercing. You usually have to wait a few weeks, so it's important to choose jewelry that you can wear in the shower, and stainless steel meets that requirement.
Can you shower with sterling silver earrings?
Showering with sterling silver jewelry is similar to showering with gold jewelry. While this shouldn't cause much damage, it may end up affecting its overall aesthetics. Continuous exposure to water can cause silver to tarnish and lose its luster.
Wearing silver jewelry in the shower won't be a disaster, and you'll most likely be able to get away with it a few times. However, if you want your jewelry to look like it did when you bought it, you shouldn't get into the habit of wearing it in the shower every day.
Can you wear platinum in the shower?
Wearing platinum in the shower is the same as wearing silver or gold in the shower. While it's not the end of the world if you wear it in the shower a few times, continued exposure to water can cause it to lose its shine . So try to avoid wearing platinum in the shower, but if you occasionally forget, don't worry!
Can you wear diamonds in the shower?
It is not recommended to wear diamond earrings , diamond rings, or other types of diamond jewelry in the shower. The brilliance of a diamond is in its sparkle and you want it to retain its sparkle as much as possible. Wearing diamonds in the shower minimizes their sparkle .
When worn in the shower, diamonds form a thin layer of film on the surface, which diminishes their sparkle. Since most wedding rings contain some form of diamond and most people wear their wedding rings every day, taking off diamond rings to shower is often overlooked, but it's important to take the time. to remove all diamond jewelry before entering the shower.
Can jewelry be worn in the pool?
Wearing jewelry in a swimming pool is far worse than wearing jewelry in the shower . In the shower, the only real problem is water. While the soaps, shampoos, and conditioners you use in the shower can affect your jewelry, they don't pose much of a threat.
On the other hand, when you wear jewelry in a swimming pool, it is sensitive to all the chemicals and chlorine present in the swimming pool . Chlorine and pool chemicals pose a much higher risk of damaging your jewelry than anything you can use in your bathroom.
Precious metals often react with chlorine in swimming pools. Most precious metals, such as 14k or 18k gold, inherently contain other metals in their structure, such as copper and zinc. Chlorine reacts with these metals and causes corrosion over time.
Also, if you wear jewelry that contains stones, such as diamond rings or earrings, wearing them in the pool can cause the stones to fall out. This is due to corrosion and erosion causing the stone to come loose.
What can damage pearls?
Pearls are gemstones that are very susceptible to damage, more so than most other types of jewelry. Many factors can damage pearls, some of which may never have crossed your mind.
Pearls are so delicate that even your skin can damage them slightly. Believe it or not, the acidity present in your skin can have an effect on your pearls. Granted, this effect is usually minimal, but if you notice any changes in your pearls after you've taken all the necessary precautions, be aware that it may be your skin that's affecting your pearls.
Certain substances can also damage your pearls, such as perfume or hairspray . Even the smallest hint of perfume can have long-lasting effects on pearls. Therefore, your pearls should be the last thing you put on once you are completely ready.
Additionally, keeping your pearls in a jewelry box with other pieces of jewelry can also damage your pearls. When mixed with other rings or earrings, these other pieces can scratch and dull your pearls.
Basic tips for caring for your jewelry
Use a jewelry cloth
Using a jewelry cloth to wipe down your jewelry is a great tip to incorporate into your daily routine to ensure your jewelry stays in good condition. This trick is especially useful if you wear pearl jewelry.
A jewelry cloth is delicate enough to lightly remove any debris and substances that have covered the jewelry throughout the day. This way, you don't leave anything on the jewelry that could rust or damage it.
Storage
Storing your jewelry properly is essential. As mentioned, putting different pieces of jewelry together can damage them if they get tangled or rub against each other. You should therefore invest in a jewelry box that has many compartments so that each piece can be stored separately.
You should keep your jewelry away from direct sunlight and heat. Storing them in a dark, cool, dry place will help them retain their color and shine.
Beware of cleaning solutions
If your jewelry needs a form of cleaning that goes beyond a simple cloth, be sure to do your research to determine which form of cleaning is best for that type of metal, stone, or gem.
There are many cleaning options, ranging from home techniques to professional cleaners that use ultrasound. Not all solutions are suitable for all types of jewelry. So make sure you are completely comfortable with your cleaning method.
Packaging
The main objective is to ensure that your jewelry stays as long as possible in the condition it was in the day you bought it. You want those pearls, diamonds and gold to keep shining for years to come. Follow the advice described in this article and pay attention to where and how you wear your jewelry in order to show it off for as long as possible!
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