Jewellery Do’s and Don’ts

No matter what you’re wearing, the right piece of jewellery can complete your outfit. To make the most of your accessories, there are a few simple rules to stick by. In this article, we explore some of the jewellery do’s and don’ts when it comes to buying, wearing, and caring for your jewellery.

Buying

Do Spend Money on Staples

If you’re hoping to build a collection of jewellery, there are certain pieces that shouldn’t be scrimped on. When it comes to the staples, splashing out on high-quality jewellery will ensure that it lasts for years to come. Some of the most popular staples are a gold chain, a diamond bracelet, a statement cocktail ring, gold hoops, and a gold bracelet. Many women also incorporate pearls into their collection in the form of a necklace, bracelet, or a pair of earrings. Once you’ve got these staples sorted, you can start to add more elaborate pieces to your collection.

Don’t Buy Jewellery You Won’t Wear

Although it’s tempting to buy whatever jewellery is on-trend, avoid purchasing pieces you won’t wear. If you don’t ever wear necklaces, there is no point in buying a statement piece – especially if it’s high-quality. With costume jewellery, it’s less important to stick to this rule. As costume jewellery is more affordable, it matters less if you only wear the piece once or twice.

Do Consider Bespoke

Many of us associate the word bespoke with a hefty price tag. Although this is sometimes the case, bespoke jewellery isn’t always wildly expensive. If you take the time to shop around, you can often find a reasonable deal on custom made jewellery. The great thing about bespoke is that it’s personalised to you. This means that your finished piece will be exactly what you’re looking for, instead of having to compromise on a store-bought piece.

Don’t Spend on Costume Jewellery

When it comes to fine jewellery, the money spent is often an investment. As the piece will last for years to come, it’s easier to justify spending the cash. Costume jewellery, on the other hand, is not worth spending your life savings on. With the rise of semi-fine jewellery, many people are happy to spend money on a costume piece. Although the jewellery may be made with precious metals, they are in lower carats to keep the piece affordable. As they are likely to fade with time, this type of jewellery is not worth investing in.

Wearing

Do Mix Metals

A few years ago, it was generally assumed that you shouldn’t mix metals. However, that rule is now considered ridiculous. Warming up cooler tones with a rose or yellow gold can look great, especially if you’re looking to glam up your usual look. If you do decide to mix metals, however, it’s important to do it strategically. If your collaboration doesn’t look intentional, it can lead to a mismatched look. With this in mind, metal mixing works best with layered necklaces or rings, as opposed to wearing a gold necklace with a silver bracelet.

Do Adapt Your Style

When it comes to jewellery, don’t be afraid to adapt your style. If your daytime look is minimal, that doesn’t mean you can’t glam up in the evening. If you’re not used to wearing lots of jewellery, consider picking out a few statement pieces to throw on. This way, you’ll still be ready to leave the house within a few minutes. While adapting your style is encouraged, it’s still important to stick to things you’re comfortable with. Regardless of when you plan to wear them, choose jewellery that reflects your personality and makes you feel great.

Don’t Make Jewellery an Afterthought

While we all have jewellery we wear daily, rethinking your accessories can transform your look. Instead of throwing on your jewellery before heading out, take the time to choose jewellery that complements your outfit. Once you get into the routine, you’ll be surprised how easy it is.

Care

Do Keep it Clean

If your jewellery has hard layers of dirt, it’s best to get it cleaned professionally. However, regular cleaning can prevent grime from building up – saving you a ton of cash in the long-run. For home cleaning, the best way to clean your jewellery is with warm water and dishwashing soap. Make up the solution and soak your jewellery for around half an hour, before gently cleaning it with a soft toothbrush. Once your jewellery is clean, rinse off the solution with running water. While dishwashing soap can remove oil and grease, a stronger solution may be needed for tougher grime. In this case, add a teaspoon of ammonia to the cleaning solution and watch the dirt disappear.

Do Get a Service

To keep your jewellery in good condition, be sure to get it serviced regularly. Servicing your jewellery once a year will ensure all the prongs are in good shape, there are no cracks in the metal, and that none of the stones are loose.

Don’t Remove it in Public

To avoid losing your jewellery, don’t remove it in public. If you’re in a public bathroom, it’s best to leave your rings on when washing your hands. If you remove them, you may leave them behind or lose them down the drain. As long as you’re using standard soap, your jewellery will not be affected by hand washing.

Don’t Wear it While Cleaning

While soap cannot harm your jewellery, bleach and other cleaning chemicals can. With this in mind, it’s best to remove your jewellery before cleaning with bleach, chlorine, or acetone. As these chemicals can erode alloys, the prongs of your ring may become prone to cracking or bending.

In Summary

In most cases, fine jewellery is a great investment. Providing that you follow the do’s and don’ts above, your jewellery should stay in great shape for years to come.