Showing posts with label care and maintenance of jewelry. Show all posts
Showing posts with label care and maintenance of jewelry. Show all posts

Make Your Jewelry Last With These Tips

The secrets to keeping your precious jewels last for a long time.


A pair of diamond rings on top of a Tiffany Blue-colored surface.


There’s a reason why jewelry is reserved as a special gift meant only for the people we love. The work that goes into turning stones and metals into beautiful, intricate designs requires a lot of painstaking work from sourcing to designing until the actual molding and assembly of each precious piece. No wonder they are often part of our personal milestones and celebrations as gifts for the value they hold. They’re the kind of presents meant to be kept forever so it’s important to learn the steps to keep them in their best condition for a long time.

From tips on how to match jewelry to the right jewelry display to learning the best ways to keep accessories scratch-free, this article will cover them all and more.



Clean your jewelry regularly

After a day of use, make sure to use a soft cloth to gently wipe your jewelry. This will remove sweat, oil, or dust on the jewelry’s surface. Left untouched, the same substances help speed up tarnishing making your pieces lose their luster fast. Likewise, you must perform a more thorough cleaning of your accessories once in a while. All it takes are warm soapy water and a soft toothbrush to remove impurities that the cloth couldn’t take out.



Conduct routine inspections for signs of wear and tear

While we’re on the subject of cleaning, you should also take the time to regularly check your jewelry pieces for issues, such as missing clasps, chain kinks, or stones that are about to fall off. Failing to do so leaves your jewelry vulnerable from falling apart or suddenly slipping off of you while in use. Prevent these accidents from happening by taking note of these problems so you can take them to your trusted jeweler for fixing.



Store them in airtight containers

As previously stated, moisture is the enemy of jewelry but so is air so it’s best not to expose your jewelry collection too long out in the open. If you have some of your jewelry collection showcased for display, it is recommended that you rotate their use and periodically replace what you choose to put out on your shelves. Slow down the tarnishing process by storing them in airtight storage containers. An alternative to this would be to store some of your jewelry pieces, especially the smallest ones such as studs and crystals, in resealable plastic bags. Don’t forget to remove all the air inside the bag before sealing it shut.



BXJ85 High Gloss View Top Wooden Jewelry Chest


Prevent scratches by choosing containers that are lined with fabric

While jewelry boxes especially those that come with lock and key, just like the #BXJ85 High Gloss View Top Wooden Jewelry Chest here, can be relied upon for jewelry protection, make sure they are also lined with fabric inside. 

Jewelry boxes often come with compartments so that collectors can sort their pieces in the right spaces. That is important as pieces that rub against each other lead to scratches and dullness on their surfaces. Compartments help in that aspect but you need to also make sure there is fabric lining which also helps prevent those jewelry problems from happening.



Keep those silica packs that came with your jewelry purchase

Ever wonder what those sealed white bags with small pellets inside are for? They are called silica packs and inside are silicon dioxide pellets whose purpose is to absorb moisture. They are considered drying agents and are placed inside most food packs and some jewelry packaging to avoid spoilage. Keep one inside a jewelry case or box to help with moisture reduction. Just remember to keep it away from children as it is considered a choking hazard.



Use jewelry display stands to prevent tangles 

Jewelry pieces such as necklaces and bracelets are prone to tangling when stored or displayed improperly. This happens when they are all just piled up on top of another such as in a drawer or tray. To avoid such issues, make sure to use the appropriate jewelry display tool for your jewelry pieces that are supposed to be hung. Use T-bar display stands for necklaces or devices that are specifically made to be used for displaying bracelets, such as bracelet trays and ramps. 

But what if you already found yourself dealing with a knotted bracelet or tangled necklaces? Simply use a toothpick or cotton bud plus baby oil to loosen kinks and knots. Oil is actually a safe and effective substance that will make the affected parts slippery thereby loosening them up and getting them ready for detangling.



Close up of a diamond necklace.


Avoid displaying your jewelry under sunlight or anywhere hot

For those jewelry pieces that you choose to display out in the open, make sure it is not located in areas where the sun may shine a light. Sunlight and heat, in general, have a bleaching effect which can cause some gemstones to go dull if exposed to them too long. Your best bet is to showcase your jewelry display setups in the areas that are cool, dry, and away from sunlight around your room. 

Speaking of sunlight…



Don’t wear jewelry while doing physical activities

These are any activities that may lead to your jewelry slipping off such as doing sports or manual labor such as gardening, household chores, and the like. While operating machinery, it’s best to remove any of your jewelry to prevent them from falling off or getting caught up in parts which could lead to major trouble.

Traveling with jewelry is also discouraged as it makes them prone to getting lost. If you really must wear them, then keep them to a minimum and especially avoid using those that are expensive to avoid attracting thieves. Wearing jewelry to beach trips is especially discouraged as exposure to heat and sand can lead to dullness and scratches when exposed to those elements long enough. Likewise, sunscreen lotions may also leave a hazy film when it comes in contact with your jewelry causing it to look dull.


How To Take Care of Your Engagement Ring

...or your promise or wedding ring.


A couple kissing with the woman showing of the ring on her hand.


Nothing compares to the feeling of receiving jewelry from a loved one, but amongst the different kinds of jewelry, rings hold a special place in romance. Traditionally, rings have come to symbolize infinite love and so it has become a practice to give a romantic partner a ring during relationship milestones. From wedding proposals to anniversaries, rings take centerstage which makes them a popular purchase in jewelry stores. They’re often prominently displayed in jewelry display stands in brick and mortar and online jewelry shops alike.


While we often discuss retail display techniques here, we’re shedding light this time on the proper care meant for rings. Here are tips you must follow to keep your precious ring beautiful for a long time.



Make sure to keep it clean and scratch-free

It’s natural that you would want to wear your rings the whole time. Unfortunately, that makes it prone to gathering imperfections stemming from constant use. It may accidentally get rubbed on surfaces or have it lose its shimmer from constant exposure to elements or even your very own skin’s oil. The good news is you only need to make it a habit to clean your rings. All it takes is a bowl of (mild) soapy water and a toothbrush. Simply soak your ring in soapy water then gently brush it to remove stubborn dirt. Do this to your ring and to the rest of your commonly-used jewelry items once a week to keep them all in pristine shape.



Avail of the services of a professional cleaner

You may also choose to have your ring be cleaned by a professional. This is especially helpful if your efforts for cleaning failed to remove scratches and spots. You can take it back to where the ring was purchased as it may come with a warranty or after-service assistance free of charge.



Keep your hands off your ring

It’s normal to admire your ring especially if it’s new. It’s also quite normal to show off your ring to friends. However, you may want to keep your hands to yourselves and avoid touching the ring especially the centerpiece to prevent it from getting dirty. Dirt and body oil can easily get transferred through touch, so it’s best to control your and your friends’ urge to touch it. 


Close up of a bride's hand with her wedding ring and bouquet in focus.


Don’t wear them all the time

There are certain activities where you will be better off not wearing your ring. Doing sports or household chores make it so easy for you to absentmindedly ignore if the ring has already slipped your fingers. Likewise, you are also exposing your ring to elements when you wear them out often. In such instances, it’s best to leave your ring at home in its proper storage or jewelry display container. 


If you’re looking for a good storage device for your ring and for your jewelry collection as a whole, have a look at these storage options from our store.


How to Detangle Necklaces

Protect your precious collection with these tips.


A woman wearing a black dress and necklace looking out her window.


Fashionistas know how crucial necklaces are to their style profile. Whether it’s a single piece or a bunch of necklaces layered on top of one another, they certainly add punch to any outfit they are paired with. No wonder they are prized possessions found in many stylish folks’ collections. Having the right necklace display and storage tools will certainly keep your pieces in pristine condition but they can easily get tangled up during use or if they’re not properly hung up.


If this is an issue for you then follow our tips below:



Provide lubrication

Necklaces can easily get knotted up without us noticing. Instead of tugging and pulling on them, what you need is a lubricant. You can use baby oil or massage oil for this, but those found in the kitchen work well too. Simply use a cotton bud soaked in oil to apply lubrication to your necklace to loosen them up. For knots that are hard to untangle, simply rub them with your fingers while applying more oil. Once you have accomplished your task, rinse off the oil residue with water and mild soap, then simply pat dry your necklace with a soft cloth.



Apply baby powder

Another beauty staple that can loosen up tangles is baby powder. Like oil, the powder can also loosen up knots and tangles by making them slippery. Simply sprinkle enough baby powder on your necklace's knots to let them loose. Again, remember to rinse your jewelry piece with water and mild soap then dry it with a soft cloth or paper towel.



Use a pin or needle to pick apart knots

Depending on how thick the chain or beads are in the necklace, you can also use simple household tools to resolve your problem. You can use something like pins or needles on delicate pieces, while for bigger-sized necklaces like bib types or beads, you can use a pen or screwdriver. Be careful not to put too much pressure while picking apart the knots as you wouldn’t want to accidentally destroy your necklace.


Freestanding Necklace Easel Display Stand Holder


Choose the right jewelry display tool for your necklaces

Let’s go back to the first part of this article which talks about the importance of having the right display and storage tools on hand.

Sometimes we forget to take care of our necklaces when we carelessly toss them aside after use. If you’re using any other container or stand that’s not meant to hold necklaces then you will certainly see them getting tangled up with one another. The right necklace display stand, like this Freestanding Necklace Easel Display Stand Holder has tiered diagonal side slots which avoids the problem of having necklaces get on top of one another. Its angled plank also resolves that issue in a snap, so forget about using containers that do nothing for your precious collection and go with these types of stands instead.

 

How to Clean Earrings

Tips to maintain the beauty of your precious earrings.


A brunette girl smiling while her eyes are closed.

Fans of earrings know the power they hold when it comes to making a style statement. From the large ones to dainty pieces, they are fashion staples that command attention. They are an essential part of everyday wear which means they get a lot of use. This means it’s very easy for them to accumulate dirt and smudges in the long run.

You deserve to have your precious earrings collection in the best shape so we’ve put together this helpful guide for you. Follow these steps so that you can proudly show them off while you are out and about, or for when you keep them in your earring display platforms at home.


Use a microfiber cloth for quick clean-ups

Found small smudges or fingerprints on your earrings? Sometimes all it takes are a few quick swipes of microfiber cloth to your precious earrings. This is similar to those used for cleaning eyeglasses. We recommend this type of cloth as it won’t leave a scratch or loose fiber to your jewelry’s surface.


Disinfect with hydrogen peroxide

Dirt can easily accumulate in the nooks and crannies of earrings when left for some time. For a deeper clean, it’s time to bring out hydrogen peroxide and a few cotton pads for disinfection. If you’re targeting a specific spot, simply soak your pad with hydrogen peroxide and give your pieces a few dabs and rubs to remove stubborn gunk. For an all-over cleaning process, you can soak your earrings in a small cup filled with hydrogen peroxide for a few minutes then transfer them to a new cup with hot water for rinsing.

A pretty lady wearing an all-pink outfit.

Keep things simple with mild dish soap and water

For earrings with gemstones, it’s best to keep things simple and straightforward. The process depends on the type of gemstone being cleaned. For example, you can’s soak turquoise in soapy water as turquoise absorbs water which can soften it over time. Instead, what you can do is to use a microfiber cloth moistened with soapy water and use it to clean your turquoise pieces. The same procedure applies to pearls, but amethyst can be soaked in soapy water.

Have a look at this article to see more tips on cleaning precious stones and minerals.


Use household items for simple cleaning jobs

For quick touch-ups, use a clean toothbrush to remove dirt from your earrings. You can also use cotton buds and toothpicks which can get into hard-to-reach areas.

Ultrawave Jewelry Cleaner Machine
Ultrawave Jewelry Cleaner Machine*

Invest in a jewelry cleaner machine

But if you want a no-mess way to clean your earring collection, give yourself the gift of a jewelry cleaner machine today. In fact, you can use this for the rest of your jewelry pieces so you’ll be saving yourself the extra work needed to clean and disinfect them. We believe this is a must-buy for every jewelry lover.


Now that you’ve gotten your earrings all spic and span, we bet you’re proud to show them on display at home. And for that, we have these lovely multiple earring display tools ready for you to explore. Happy shopping!


*Available on the Nile Corp website.

4 Ways to Untangle Your Necklaces

Some solutions for this jewelry storage headache.



Beaded necklaces hanging on display.

Ask any avid jewelry collector about some drawbacks to owning them and they’d probably tell you the same thing: separating them when they all get tangled up. Once you’ve reached a substantial amount in your collection you’d surely find yourself dealing with the same issue.

We wouldn’t want you to get frustrated over this. In this article, learn new tricks to help you manage this problem and find out how you could make the best use of your necklace display and storage tools to make sure this doesn’t happen again.



A tiny pin may just save your day

Simply slip the pin at the center of the knot then carefully use it to pull away the chains on top of one another. Try not to tug on the chain too hard to avoid breaking the links. You may also try out different-sized pins to see which one is suited for your necklaces.



Wooden Jewelry Display Bust with Easel for 3 Necklaces - Oak
Wooden Jewelry Display Bust with Easel for 3 Necklaces - Oak


Use your necklace display and storage tools accordingly

While our product offerings have different styles and functions, they are assigned to suit the different types of jewelry our buyers may have in their collections. That means you have to use your chosen jewelry display set for what they are intended for. In this example, the photo shows a wooden necklace displayer fit to carry three necklaces. We recommend that you only stick to three necklaces when you use this bust to avoid overloading it with jewelry pieces making them prone to tangling up. Make sure to adjust the necklaces if you will be placing them in this bust to avoid them overlapping and getting tangled up on one another.



Baby oil and powder are your friends

But what if your necklaces or bracelets still get tangled while hanging on your jewelry display stand? You can use baby oil to loosen them up enough that they can easily slide off each other. Gently massage the tangled chains to slowly untie them. Once that happens, you can easily wash off the baby oil residue with warm water and mild soap.

Another household item you can use is baby powder. Simply sprinkle the knot with these baby bathing essential and see your jewelry get unlaced. Same with oil, simply clean off your jewelry with water and soap.



Pick storage tools with compartments

Stay organized and knot-free with jewelry boxes and trays with compartments. You just have to make sure to place one piece per compartment to avoid creating a knotted mess with your valuables.

Have a look at our merchandise today to see your options!

How to Take Care of Your Engagement Ring

Make sure to hold on to this precious piece of jewelry.

A person holding an engagement ring, waiting to surprise his/her partner with a proposal.

Before your Big Day, it’s safe to say that your engagement ring is the most precious item in your jewelry collection. Therefore, you must do everything to keep it safe and intact as much as possible. Follow our tips below on how you can take care of your engagement ring, and by the way, congratulations on your engagement!


Wear it at all times

You run the risk of forgetting the ring when you take it off, so to avoid that, just keep on wearing it especially in public. However, there are exceptions to the rule: take off your ring when taking a bath or shower, and also when you’re washing your hands or doing household chores as the ring can slip off and/or get washed down the drain. Just remember to leave it somewhere safe (preferably in the box it came with). Store it away from prying eyes, if possible, and don’t get it mixed up with your earring display, bracelet bars, and other jewelry display tools.


Keep it out of reach of children or pets

Another reason why you should store away your ring in a safe place when you do take it off is to keep it away from someone or something who may take an interest in playing with it, and yes we’re talking about kids and pets. The ring’s small size makes it prone to losing, or worse, getting swallowed during play so hide it away where they are not easily reached by the little ones at home.


Take your ring to a professional for cleaning

We are not talking about any ordinary ring, so to keep things in tip-top shape leave it to a professional cleaner to do the work for you. He/she will know what to do to keep your engagement ring damage-free.


Avoid touching the center stone

Gemstones easily attract dirt, sweat, and body oil which you are capable of transferring to it when you touch it. If you have to remove your ring, just remember to hold on to the sides and carefully wiggle it out for removal.


A couple kissing, with the woman showing off her engagement ring while covering their faces.

Buy insurance for the ring

Even if you practice all these tips to protect your ring, sometimes accidents still happen. Add another layer of protection to your jewelry by purchasing insurance for it. In fact, purchasing insurance for your entire jewelry collection is not a bad idea at all. Having your ring insured protects it from loss, damage, or theft – just remember to read through the fine print to make sure all bases are covered.

Once you get married, you and your partner must also purchase insurance for your wedding rings.

4 Ways to Care for Your Heirloom Jewelry

Helpful tips to keep your family’s treasures last for a long time.

A pair of gold rings and a gold headband.

More than just pieces of accessories to accentuate your look, heirloom jewelry is precious because of their sentimental value. Passed down from one generation to another, it symbolizes a family’s history and must be cared for more than any other kind of jewelry in your collection. To honor the stories that come with these precious jewels, follow our tips to know how to take care of them in this article. Discover cleaning tips and find out the right jewelry display and storage tools so you can be assured that their future is secured.


Keep them away from chemicals

When cleaning jewelry, simpler is always better especially for older pieces like heirloom jewelry. As they are already of age, they are much more susceptible to deterioration so avoid using anything that contains chemicals such as ammonia, acids, or alcohol. Stick to the basics like water and mild soap and you can be sure to see these treasures in all their glory for years to come.



A wooden jewelry box left on the beach.

Use individual cases or pouches for storage

Metals and gemstones can get easily scratched if you keep them all together in one box or bag. Make sure they’re not rubbing up against each other by keeping individual pieces or stones in their own containers. Thankfully, there’s plenty to choose from if you’re looking for jewelry display and storage tools.

For precious stones, small jewelry pouches made out of soft material such as velvet or satin are your best choices. If you prefer boxes, make sure to choose those that have compartments like these deluxe jewelry boxes from Nile Corp.


Avoid moisture as much as possible

You may be tempted to wear your family’s heirloom jewelry at every event possible. However, constant exposure to the elements can easily dull precious stones and metals. Sea and pool water alike can cause rusting so avoid wearing your jewelry when swimming. You’ll also run the risk of losing them if you do so just wear them on dry land. Even sweat, as well as perfume and lotion, can contribute to their degradation so only use them during very special occasions.


Get them insured

As an extra layer of protection, why not get your family’s heirloom jewelry insured? Depending on the provider, jewelry insurance may cover theft, damage, or loss due to accidents and disasters. Another feature often included in jewelry insurance packages are repair and maintenance services which are also great perks to enjoy. Just make sure to go through the terms and conditions thoroughly so you won’t be missing out on anything before choosing your jewelry insurance provider and package.