Preserve the Timeless Beauty of Your Necklaces

The necklace - power, prestige and beauty contained within one piece of jewelry. No matter the culture or time in history, the jewelry necklace has played an important role in ornamentation of the neck for ages. From being utilized to identify cultural and class distinctions to a representation of beauty and mystique, the necklace is a major player in fashion sense in cultures worldwide.

In the western world, the necklace has successfully been worn to not only add beauty, but also start trends and adorn its wearers with power and prestige. Think of Audrey Hepburn and one instantly recalls images of Breakfast at Tiffany's and that stunning pearl choker. Princess Diana remains another icon whose use of jewelry set a new standard in ornamentation. Who can forget her sterling silver pendant with blue sapphire and rows of diamonds, which perfectly matched her engagement ring?

Most of us may never wear such priceless treasures about our necks, but the choice and style of the necklaces we wear still say much about our style and preferences when it comes to jewelry. So preserving the timeless beauty of our jewelry necklaces is still important. This can only be achieved with special care and storage. How you do that will vary, depending on the metals and materials used in your jewelry necklace.

Sterling Silver

It's one of the most versatile and loveliest of metals when it comes to jewelry. The brilliance of sterling silver is that continued wear actually helps to slow the tarnishing process. Leave your sterling silver necklace in a drawer and it will soon become tarnished. However, the body's oils keep sterling silver necklaces in good condition. In other words, wear your sterling silver jewelry necklace often. To clean sterling silver jewelry, use a cleaning cloth designated for such metal or a soft, lint-free cloth and warm, sudsy water. Once the necklace has been carefully dried, it should be stored in an air-tight zip lock bag.

Pearls

Pearls are another popular choice for jewelry necklaces. Draped around the neck of a woman, the luster and glow of pearls is breathtaking. Because they are delicate, careful attention to your pearls should be used to ensure a long life. Carelessness can even damage cultured pearls. After each wear, pearls should be wiped clean with a soft damp cloth to remove dirt and makeup. For cleaning your pearl necklace, use a gentle soap and leave the necklace on a soft cloth to air dry. Harsh chemicals should be avoided altogether when wearing your pearl jewelry necklace.

Gold

Gold is perhaps one of the most popular forms of metals in which to fashion a jewelry necklace. It's not only beautiful, gold requires less work to maintain its appearance then other metals. Gold is also known to be resistant to tarnish. Its durability makes it a choice metal for long wear. But just like any other type of metal, gold can lose its glow with daily wear. To offset these effects, gold may be cleaned with a mild soap and warm water. Always use a soft cloth to dry your gold necklaces. It's also important to avoid chemicals such as chlorine, which can cause permanent damage to gold. Always remember to remove any gold jewelry before entering a swimming pool or Jacuzzi. Like any other piece of jewelry, gold necklaces should be stored separately from other necklaces. This keeps them from becoming tangled and scratched. Store your gold necklace in a soft cloth bag or its original box.

Gemstones

To preserve the beauty of your gemstone necklaces, periodically check for loose stones before wearing and always remove any gemstone jewelry before strenuous activity. They should also not be worn while housecleaning. Over time, cosmetics and other beauty products can leave the gemstone in your necklace looking dull. Make sure to apply products before putting on any jewelry with gemstones to avoid this. Gemstones may be carefully soaked in warm, soapy water and dried with a soft cloth. However, gems such as pearls, coral and amber should never be soaked. Instead, wipe them clean with a moist cloth. If you're unsure about how to properly clean your gemstone necklace, consult with a reputable jeweler for assistance.