5 Jewelry Tips Everyone Needs To Follow

Source: left to right: Snow by Morgan W., Beach by Nicole C., Canada by Breelan N.It doesn't matter if you have a beautiful antique engagement ring or a set of modest plain wedding bands, knowing how to take keep them safe will ensure you a lifetime of joy. Here are 5 critical jewelry tips to help you keep them safe, secure, and as beautiful as the day you purchased them.Tip 1: Cleaning Your JewelryBe diligent with professional cleanings once per year at a trusted local jeweler (email us if you would like help finding a jeweler at info@jabel.com). In between cleanings,use a jewelry cleaning cloth for touch ups. Proper jewelry cleaning, care, and an occasional restoration will make your jewels last a lifetime.Tip 2: Take Off Your jewelryAs hard as it can be to leave your jewelry behind there are some times when its important to know when to remove your jewelry. Here are a few:

1. Swimming Pools - The chlorinated water is highly corrosive to jewelry, especially gold. The lower the karat of the gold, aka 18KT, 14KT, etc, the more risk of damage from the chlorine.
2. Hot Tubs - Not only is the chlorinated water problematic, but add in high temperatures and you have a jewelry nightmare.
3. Beach - Sun tan lotion and sand are just the beginning. During hot humid summer days your fingers can swell, but when cool water from the ocean/lake comes in contact with your fingers they can shrink, allowing rings to easily slip off.
4. Winter Activities - If you are heading outside for some winter fun, make sure to remove bracelets and rings before putting on your gloves. Prongs can catch on the lining material causing the stones to loosen or even fall out.
5. Cleaning - Cleaning can damage your jewelry in so many ways; chemicals can react with the your metal, dirt can get in settings, and abrasion can occur when bumped.
6. Cooking - Always remove your rings and bracelets before cooking, not only do some stones react negatively to high temperatures, but food can get caught and dirty your settings as well as cross contaminate cooked food with uncooked pathogens.

Tip 3: Environmental ConcernsThis is particularly important for gemstone jewelry because many stones can loose their color if exposed to too much sun light. You will also want to be careful of extreme heat, such as reaching into ovens because gemstones like emeralds can crack in extreme temperatures.Tip 4: Travel SmartA few rules of thumb for traveling with your jewelry will help guarantee your fun vacation is not spoiled by lost, stolen, or broken jewelry:

1. Layout your outfits and select a few pieces of jewelry that will go with everything, like a pair of diamond cluster earrings. The less jewelry you need to bring the less you need to worry.
2. When flying on vacation DO NOT PUT JEWELRY IN CHECKED LUGGAGE! You are best off to keep it safely packed in your carry on luggage and put it on after the security check point metal detectors.
3. When packing jewelry, separate your it with either plastic poly bags (you can get them from your local jeweler), travel jewelry boxes, or even creative solutions like straws or pill boxes (Pinterest is full of great ideas). Heaping your jewelry into one bag will result in scratched metal, diamonds, and gems.
4. Leave sentimental jewelry home because you can't replace memories. If you loose a piece of jewelry around the house there is always a chance that it will turn up. If you loose a piece of jewelry far from home, its gone for good. Don't risk it.
5. Use your hotel safe when traveling in a destination where you are not familiar. You are already a tourist and sparkly jewels will make you more of a target.
6. When you leave your jewelry at home, don't keep it in your jewelry box. It is the first place robbers will look. Find a good hiding place, and remember where you put it!

Tip 5: Understanding The Value of InsuranceSpeak with your local jeweler about getting an appraisal, as well as their opinion on a local insurance company who write either a separate jewelry insurance policy or a rider on your current homeowners insurance. We often hear from brides who lost their engagement rings and/or wedding bands, it is heart breaking to hear the disappointment when they can not afford to purchase a replacement.

Email us to find a local Jabel jeweler in your area at info@jabel.com