Sterling & Hyde Costume Jewellery Care Guide

As modern manufacturing methods have largely improved the look and feel of costume jewellery, many women are finding that costume jewellery is a great way to make a fashion statement and update your look often and easily. Costume jewellery comes in a wide range of styles, providing a lot of options from the very simple to the ornate. While costume jewellery can take a lot of wear, some care must be taken in order to keep your jewellery looking its best. In this guide we provide you with simple tips to make your costume jewellery last.

Costume Jewellery Maintenance Tips

Minimize the exposure of your jewellery to moisture and water. Take off all pieces of costume jewellery before bathing or swimming. This includes entering areas such as showers, baths, swimming pools, spas and saunas. Moisture can cause accelerated tarnishing and dark spots that can detract from your jewellery’s finish. These spots can be hard to remove without causing damage.

Sweat and body oils can also cause the finish on your jewellery to degrade; avoid wearing your jewellery if you are going to be exercising or doing physical activities. When sweat evaporates, it leaves behind sodium and other minerals. Over time, these minerals cause metal surfaces to dull and tarnish. Artificial pearls, in particular, are easily discoloured by sweat.

Remove all costume jewellery if you are going to be washing the

dishes or handling household cleaning materials. Any chemical that come into contact with costume jewellery is likely to corrode it.

When getting dressed, apply hairspray and perfume first before

putting on your costume jewellery as these substances can discolour jewellery. In addition, they cause dirt and dust stick to crevices.

Costume Jewellery Cleaning Tips

When not wearing your costume jewellery keep your pieces in a space away from heat and light such as a jewellery box. Limit your jewellery’s exposure to air, as it hastens oxidation or tarnishing.

Clean your jewellery on a regular basis to remove substances that can cause it to tarnish and discolour. As much as possible do not immerse the entire piece since any adhesive holding stones in their settings could be loosened.

To clean your costume jewellery just dip a soft toothbrush in a

weak shampoo and water solution and use it to scrub metal surfaces and crevices. Rinse off the shampoo with a soft cloth dipped in clean water, then finish off with a dry non-abrasive cloth.

To quickly shine up your costume jewellery a used silver polishing

cloth can be used. Care Tips provided by Amy Richards, Owner of Sterling & Hyde at www.sterlingandhyde.com.au, and 47 Ocean Beach Road, Sorrento, Victoria, ph 03 5984 5744, email info@sterlingandhyde.com.au