How To Care For Your Handmade Jewelry

Jewelry is not intended for children.

It is best to store jewelry separately either in its own jewelry bag or a plastic bag to keep the jewelry piece from getting scratched or tarnished.

Storing sterling silver in the open air and humidity can cause it to tarnish quickly. To reduce tarnish and keep jewelry tarnish free, it is recommended that sterling silver jewelry be stored in an air-tight protective bag made of tarnish proof cloth or a plastic zip lock bag. The natural oils from the skin help minimize the tarnishing of sterling silver items, so the more frequently a piece is worn, the less likely it is to tarnish.

Resin jewelry needs to be stored in a dry, dark place away from direct sunlight. Exposure to sunlight will cause resin to yellow over time.

Jewelry should never be gotten wet. Don't shower, swim or bathe with your jewelry on. Chlorine and chemicals in shampoos and soaps are hard on jewelry. Jewelry should avoid contact with hairsprays, perfumes, lotions or other chemicals such as sunscreen.

Some gemstones are more delicate, so it is best to remove jewelry if doing any chore or activity that might scratch or impact the stone.

Do not use jewelry cleaner on any of the jewelry since it may damage the gemstones.

Beaded necklaces and bracelets as well as some earrings (like those with beaded fringe) should be stored flat.

Thread has a memory so keep your beaded fringe straight when storing by either hanging or lying flat. Avoid pulling on fringe. If you find that your fringe is not hanging as nicely as you would like, place earring on flat surface and with one finger very gently roll the beads using a downwards motion to smooth the beadwork.

Necklaces with beaded toggle clasps should be fastened gently, never forced.