If you are a young man who loves to wear fashion jewellery, you might be wondering how to keep your pieces shiny and durable for a long time. You might have invested in some quality jewellery made of stainless steel, silver, or gold, but you are not sure how to take care of them properly. Well, you are in luck, because in this blog post, we will share with you some of the best tips and tricks on how to care for your jewellery, especially stainless steel, which is one of the most popular and versatile metals for men's fashion jewellery.
Stainless steel jewellery is made of a metal alloy that consists of iron, chromium, nickel, and other elements. It is called stainless because it does not rust, corrode, or stain easily. It is also very strong, durable, and resistant to scratches and wear. Stainless steel jewellery has a sleek and modern appearance that can match with any outfit, occasion, or mood. It is also hypoallergenic, which means it does not cause allergic reactions for most people.
However, stainless steel jewellery is not indestructible, and it still needs some care and maintenance to keep its shine and durability. Here are some of the do's and don'ts of stainless steel jewellery care:
Do's
- Do clean your stainless steel jewellery regularly. Even though stainless steel jewellery does not tarnish or corrode, it can still accumulate dirt, oil, and grime from your skin and the environment. To clean your stainless steel jewellery, you can use a mild dish soap and warm water. Simply soak your jewellery in the soap solution for a few minutes, then gently rub it with a soft cloth or a toothbrush. Rinse it well with clean water and dry it with a towel. You can also use a jewellery polish or a polishing cloth to restore the shine and luster of your jewellery. Watch the short video below by Sears Knowledge Hub for a visual demonstration.
- Do store your stainless steel jewellery properly. When you are not wearing your stainless steel jewellery, you should store it in a cool, dry, and dark place. Avoid exposing your jewellery to direct sunlight, heat, or moisture, as these can damage or discolor your jewellery. You can use a jewellery box, a pouch, or a ziplock bag to store your jewellery. You can also use anti-tarnish strips or silica gel packets to prevent oxidation and corrosion. Make sure to separate your jewellery by type, metal, and color to avoid scratching or tangling.
- Do wear your stainless steel jewellery wisely. Stainless steel jewellery is suitable for most occasions, but you should still be careful when wearing it. Avoid wearing your jewellery when you are swimming, showering, exercising, or sleeping, as these can cause your jewellery to lose its shape, color, or shine. You should also avoid wearing your jewellery when you are applying perfume, lotion, or makeup, as these can stain or dull your jewellery. You should also avoid wearing your jewellery when you are doing household chores, gardening, or working with tools, as these can scratch or damage your jewellery.
Don'ts
- Don't use harsh chemicals or abrasives to clean your stainless steel jewellery. Avoid using bleach, ammonia, alcohol, or acetone, as these can strip or damage your jewellery. Also avoid using toothpaste, baking soda, or salt, as these can be too abrasive and scratch your jewellery. Stick to mild soap and water, or use a special jewellery cleaner designed for stainless steel.
- Don't wear your stainless steel jewellery in the pool or the spa. Chlorine and other chemicals can discolor or corrode your stainless steel jewellery. You should take off your jewellery before going into a hot tub or a swimming pool. If you accidentally expose your jewellery to chlorine, rinse it immediately with clean water and dry it with a towel.
- Don't wear your stainless steel jewellery with other metals. Stainless steel jewellery can react with other metals, such as silver, gold, or copper, and cause discoloration or tarnish. You should avoid mixing your stainless steel jewellery with other metals, especially if they are in direct contact. If you want to layer or stack your jewellery, make sure they are all made of stainless steel, or use a spacer or a separator to prevent them from touching.
By following these simple do's and don'ts, you can keep your stainless steel jewellery shiny and durable for a long time. But what about other metals, such as silver and gold? How do you care for them?
Silver and gold are also popular metals for men's fashion jewellery, but they have different properties and characteristics than stainless steel. Silver and gold are softer and more malleable than stainless steel, which means they can bend, break, or dent more easily. Silver and gold are also more prone to tarnish and corrosion than stainless steel, which means they need more frequent cleaning and polishing.
Here are some of the basic tips and tricks on how to care for silver and gold jewellery:
Silver Jewellery Care
Silver jewellery is made of a metal that contains at least 92.5% pure silver, mixed with other metals, such as copper, to make it more durable and resistant. Silver jewellery has a bright and shiny appearance that can enhance any look, but it can also tarnish or oxidize over time, turning black or dull. Here are some of the ways to prevent and remove tarnish from your silver jewellery:
- Clean your silver jewellery regularly with a mild soap and water, or use a special silver jewellery cleaner. You can also use a soft cloth or a polishing cloth to buff your silver jewellery and restore its shine. Avoid using toothpaste, baking soda, or salt, as these can scratch your silver jewellery.
- Store your silver jewellery in a cool, dry, and dark place. Avoid exposing your silver jewellery to air, light, or moisture, as these can accelerate the tarnishing process. You can use a jewellery box, a pouch, or a ziplock bag to store your silver jewellery. You can also use anti-tarnish strips or silica gel packets to absorb any moisture or sulfur in the air. Make sure to separate your silver jewellery from other metals or materials that can cause tarnish.
- Wear your silver jewellery often. The natural oils from your skin can help prevent tarnish and keep your silver jewellery shiny. However, you should still avoid wearing your silver jewellery when you are swimming, showering, exercising, or sleeping, as these can damage or stain your silver jewellery. You should also avoid wearing your silver jewellery when you are applying perfume, lotion, or makeup, as these can tarnish or dull your silver jewellery.
Gold Jewellery Care
Gold jewellery is made of a metal that contains a certain percentage of pure gold, mixed with other metals, such as silver, copper, or zinc, to make it more durable and resistant. The percentage of pure gold is measured in karats, with 24 karats being the purest and most expensive. Gold jewellery has a warm and glowing appearance that can add some glamour and elegance to any look, but it can also scratch or wear out over time, losing its color or shine. Here are some of the ways to prevent and repair damage to your gold jewellery:
- Clean your gold jewellery regularly with a mild soap and water, or use a special gold jewellery cleaner. You can also use a soft cloth or a polishing cloth to buff your gold jewellery and restore its shine. Avoid using bleach, ammonia, or alcohol, as these can damage or discolor your gold jewellery.
- Store your gold jewellery in a cool, dry, and dark place. Avoid exposing your gold jewellery to heat, light, or moisture, as these can weaken or warp your gold jewellery. You can use a jewellery box, a pouch, or a ziplock bag to store your gold jewellery. You can also use anti-tarnish strips or silica gel packets to protect your gold jewellery from humidity or oxidation. Make sure to separate your gold jewellery from other metals or materials that can scratch or dent your gold jewellery.
- Wear your gold jewellery with care. Gold jewellery is more durable than silver jewellery, but it is still softer and more malleable than stainless steel jewellery, which means it can bend, break, or dent more easily. You should avoid wearing your gold jewellery when you are swimming, showering, exercising, or sleeping, as these can damage or stain your gold jewellery. You should also avoid wearing your gold jewellery when you are applying perfume, lotion, or makeup, as these can tarnish or dull your gold jewellery.
By following these basic tips and tricks, you can keep your silver and gold jewellery shiny and durable for a long time