I have always felt that buying a piece of jewelry is an investment, whether it is a financial or emotional one and can play an important role in one’s life. Unlike many things we purchase, own, inherit, or enter into our busy and often complicated lives, an investment doesn’t always come with a service manual or set of guidelines to maintain in properly.

So Dare to be Different Jewelry Designs would like to share with you some of the details we have learned along the way to assist you in caring for your “jewelry investment”:

As attractive as those jewelry armoires are with places to hang multiple necklaces, please don’t fall victim to those little hooks. Hanging necklaces, with the possible exception of metal chains or leather cord, will eventually stretch beading wire, silk thread or other fabrics. So instead of facing possible breakage or premature re-stringing, just place them lengthwise in a drawer or jewelry box.

Speaking of breakage, it can happen very easily and through no fault of the designer. With just a little time and effort, we can prevent some mishaps. Please place your necklace in an individual pouch or wrap it in a cloth or tissue. This will avoid any tangling with other pieces or being knocked off of the dresser onto the floor, possibly resulting in chipping of your gemstones or worse.

We all love the sun because it makes us feel good and gives us a healthly glow but it can be lethal to jewelry. Other temptations are the blue, cool waters of the pool and the sexy scents of perfume. These are all no-no’s for jewelry. Long or even minimal exposure to these “essentials” may cause significant discoloration to gemstones, pearls and metals. If applying perfume is a daily ritual (and I can certainly relate), then spray or dab it on and allow it to dry before putting on your necklace.

Unfortunately, sterling silver and perhaps even pure silver, will tarnish. It is a fact of life and humidity is said to be the culprit. The best way to keep it shining is to place it in a baggie that has been treated with an anti-tarnish film (like the one that has been provided to you by Dare to be Different Jewelry Designs with your purchase) and that should delay any tarnishing for a considerable time. If one is not available, then place a piece of anti-tarnish strip with your jewelry and tuck it away in its storage pouch. An occasional touch-up with an anti-tarnish polishing cloth (again, like the one that we have provided you with your purchase) should also bring back some sheen. It may be wise not to use liquid metal cleaner that is suppose to rid tarnish off of every item on the planet because it might well eat through everything, right down to the base metal. If it sounds too good to be true, well, you know the rest. Another “not too good” to use product is anti-tarnish paste. It will get into every nook and cranny, turns to powder or remains clay-like, and is next to impossible to remove or get to.

It is also best to clean gold or vermeil with a very simple, soft cotton cloth. Most metals are quite susceptible to scratches, so be gentle.

Pearls and other organics are in a class of their own. Let’s start with pearls first. Even the finest qualities available such as South Sea or Tahitian pearls can succumb to discoloration if exposed to harsh chemicals or long exposure to sunlight, so please keep that in mind if you are lucky enough to own them. If your pearls are strung on silk thread, it is recommended in the industry that they be re-strung and re-knotted every two years. For those of us who cannot afford South Sea or Tahitian pearls but own regular cultured pearls, chances are they have been dyed or enhanced in some way. So the same principles still apply. Treat them with tender loving care and you’ll be able to hand them down to the next generation for that timeless, classic appeal.

Moving on to the other organics such as amber, copal, coral and jet. All of these organics can be very brittle so keep in mind the rules for breakage, chipping and cracking. And while we would like to think that none of them are color enhanced or dyed, it is a common practice throughout the industry, especially with coral. Please remember that dyes can bleed and change color when exposed to sweat, heat, and chemicals. We make every effort at Dare to be Different Jewelry Designs to rinse or wash our gemstones and organics to minimize any bleeding or discoloration.

Remember, these are just suggestions and are not carved in stone (no pun intended) but have proven to extend the life and beauty of your pieces.