5 Everyday Activities that Can Damage Your Jewellery and How to Prevent it

If you have a piece of fine jewellery, it’s probably one of the most treasured things you own. You may even wear it every day to show it off and keep it close. However, there are some everyday activities that could be seriously damaging your precious jewellery without you even realising. Here are five common activities that can harm fine jewellery and what you should do to minimise damage.

1.   Applying Lotion or Sunscreen

We are constantly applying hand creams in the winter months and sunscreen during the summer. But this constant barrage of lotions leaves a residue on our jewellery that can make it dull over time.

Whenever you’re applying any type of cream or lotion, make sure to take your jewellery off first to keep it safe.

2.   Cleaning the House

Chemicals such as bleach and chlorine found in household cleaners are harmful to the precious metal of your jewellery pieces. Just like lotions, these will dull the shine of the metal and reduce the quality over time.

To protect it, always wear rubber gloves when handling cleaning products. Or take your jewellery off completely and store it in a jewellery box while you clean. This will also stop the dreaded feeling when rings slip off and go down the drain!

3.   Getting Ready

If you style your hair and put on makeup while wearing your fine and vintage jewellery, you’re putting it at risk. Hairspray, heat protecting spray, and makeup products all get clogged in the tiny crevices of rings and necklace settings. This ruins your pieces over time and can even be a place where bacteria grow.

Make sure you put your jewellery on last when getting ready after your hair and makeup are already done. 

4.   Preparing Food

You’d be surprised how easy it is to scratch or break jewellery when preparing food. In the kitchen when you’re working with sharp knives, gas stoves, and boiling water, it’s easy to damage your precious jewellery.

Keep it safe and secure in a quality jewellery box when you’re working in the kitchen.

5.   Home Cleaning

We’ve seen many DIY hacks for cleaning your jewellery at home using regular cleaning products, vinegar, and even toothpaste.

But these DIY hacks don’t clean jewellery and can even cause real damage. The best way to keep your jewellery clean and shiny is to take it to a professional jeweller who uses professional products to clean your jewellery. They will also be able to carry out any repairs, restorations, or stone replacements to keep your fine jewellery looking its best.