Jewelry is one of the most popular items sold in stores and online, but it can be difficult to find reliable information about how to care for it. The 5 P’s of Jewelry Care is a template that helps jewelers inform customers about proper care for their jewelry, including cleaning techniques and precautions against damage.
1. Proper Care
To keep your jewelry in good condition, you should use a soft, dry cloth to clean it. Do not use brushes or abrasive cloths to clean your jewelry as this can damage the metal.
It is important that you do not wear your jewelry when sleeping, exercising or swimming because these activities can cause damage to the stones and metal settings of your piece. Also avoid wearing heavy costume pieces such as large necklaces and heavy earrings during strenuous activities like gardening or manual labor.
2. Proper Wear
Wear your jewelry regularly to keep it looking great
Avoid wearing jewelry in the shower or when swimming
Avoid wearing jewelry while doing strenuous activity, such as working out or doing housework
Avoid wearing jewelry when doing heavy lifting
3. Proper Cleaning
The best way to clean your jewelry is to use a soft, lint-free cloth and mild soap. You should clean your jewelry after each wearing. Do not use abrasive cleaners or scrubbing tools that might scratch the metal or crystal surface. Never immerse in water, as this can cause rust spots and damage the setting. Avoid extreme temperatures such as exposure to solvents or harsh chemicals (such as hair spray).
4. Proper storage
Proper storage is one of the most important aspects of jewelry care. This means keeping your jewelry away from moisture, chemicals, extreme temperatures, and direct sunlight.
If you want to keep your jewelry looking good for as long as possible—and who wouldn’t?—you’ll want to take steps to make sure it’s stored properly.
5. Proper Setting
The setting is the part of the jewelry that holds the stone in place. It can be a prong (which holds the stone with little metal around it), a bezel (which surrounds and supports the stone), or a channel (which encases most of the stone). Different settings require different care, depending on whether they are made from precious metals or not.
Jewelry care is about more than just cleaning your pieces or keeping them safe from harm. It’s also about caring for the people who wear them and giving them an understanding of how to best maintain their personal collection. After all, jewelry is meant to be loved.