Penny Pincher Fashion

Fashion, Beauty and Style

Fashion

Jewelry Care & Storage

Over the years, I have taken great pride in building my jewelry collection.  Mine contains a mix of beloved family heirlooms, special vintage pieces & fun, affordable styles.  We’ve moved around quite a bit in the last few years and as my collection has grown, I’ve had to come up with creative solutions to keep my jewelry organized.  I personally love having some pieces out on display (it doubles as decoration!), but this type of storage isn’t right for every piece. I recently learned that some metals, like sterling silver, can actually tarnish if exposed to the air for too long & should be kept in a closed container or jewelry case.  So today I’m sharing some affordable storage options + my top tips for taking care of your jewelry so it will last for years to come.


1) Storage
Keep your baubles in a cool, dry place – humidity, excessive heat & direct sunlight can damage certain metals and gemstones.  If you live in a very damp climate, place a small silica gel packet (from a new box of shoes) in your jewelry box to help absorb any excess moisture.  Pearls & opals are more delicate than other stones & can scratch easily, so be sure to separate them from your other pieces.

2) Travel
Invest in a jewelry storage case with small dividers (see #2 and 3 below) so you can keep your pieces protected & tangle-free while traveling.  Even once it’s organized inside the case, I like to tuck mine between layers of folded clothing for extra safety.

4) Protect
Always wait to put your jewelry on after you’ve applied lotion, perfume & hairspray.  Make sure you remove before doing any house-cleaning or swimming (both bleach & chlorine can be harmful to metals).  Wipe down with a soft, nub-free 100% cotton cloth after wearing to remove any oils & residue before storing.

5) Cleaning & Care
Gold – soak in a solution of warm water & dishwashing detergent for up to 15 minutes; scrub with a soft toothbrush & gently dry with a smooth cloth
Diamonds & Platinum – soak in a solution of water & ammonia; rise & dry with a tissue
Pearls – wipe with a soft cloth that has been moistened with water; let dry overnight before storing again
Silver – clean in warm water; use a tarnish cleaner & polish cloth as needed
Gemstones – soak in a mixture of water & soap for 1 minute & wipe off 



Thank you to WalMart for kindly sponsoring this post.  All opinions are 100% honest & completely my own.

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