Your jewelry is precious. Whether it holds monetary or sentimental value, or both, your jewelry is special. So how do you keep your jewelry looking it’s best? Most people believe that a certain amount of wear and tear is to be expected. Not so. There are a few simple steps you can take to ensure that your precious jewelry is in as perfect condition as the day you bought it.

Cleaning your jewelry is really pretty simple. The best way to clean your jewelry is by soaking it in warm water with a mild liquid detergent or soap. After letting your jewelry soak for three or four minutes rinse it off under running water (make sure the drain is closed), and then pat it dry with a soft lint free cloth or paper towel. You should clean your jewelry often to avoid having to take it to a jeweler for costly and harmful cleaning methods.

Store jewelry made from silver and other metals that are susceptible to tainting in an air-tight or zip-lock plastic bag. This low tech methodology of storing your jewelry will keep them looking as new, for a long time. Don’t store pearl jewelry in sealed bags!

The worst place you can put it is in a jewelry box already filled with other jewelry all jumbled together, where it can become scratched or more seriously hurt. The best place you can put jewelry is in individual leather or cloth cases or bags that will protect each piece from being damaged by other pieces of jewelry. If you do not have separate boxes from the jeweler for each piece of jewelry, at least put each piece in an individual case of some kind and do not drop it casually into a jewelry box.

Remove jewelry before retiring to bed. Sleeping in your jewelry can add additional stress to chains, joints, etc, and shorten the life of your things. If you do some more research on a guide to wearing jewelry then you will find lots additional info to help you wear your jewelry and at the same time protecting it from damage.