Most of the jewellery here at Lola Bear Vintage is at least 30 years old. Therefore, given the vintage nature of the items, they need continuous love and care to ensure they last many more years to come! Below are some tips on how to keep your jewellery looking its best.
As a general rule, jewellery should be put on after any cosmetics, perfumes etc., just before you leave the house. It should then be taken off as soon as you arrive back home. Cosmetics and other chemicals can form a build up and leave a dull residue on the metal, so doing this ensures your jewellery stays as clean as possible.
Most gem-set items can be cleaned with a very soft-bristled brush, dipped in a warm, sudsy solution (gentle dish soap is best) and then rinsed. Always be sure to pat dry and leave to air dry too, if you have time, as an extra precaution. Prolonged exposure to moisture is the enemy when it comes to vintage jewellery!
Certain gemstones require extra care and caution, such as emerald, turquoise, pearl, and opal. This is because they are softer than most stones, are permeable, or have been treated or set in a special way that requires more delicate cleaning.
Any items that require such special care will have specific cleaning/care instructions beside their description, so don’t worry!
Always be sure to store your jewellery in a softly lined jewellery box or soft pouch. It shouldn’t be touching or rubbing against other jewellery as this can scratch the metal.
Lastly, be careful not to over-clean your jewellery! Most pieces just require light polishing every couple of weeks to keep the shine. Depending on how often you wear it, a deep clean is only necessary once a month or even two months. Deep cleaning too often can damage settings and scratch gemstones.
If you have any questions or queries relating to caring for a piece of jewellery, please do get in touch. I’d be more than happy to help!
