Article: How do you properly care for costume jewelry? A guide
How do you properly care for costume jewelry? A guide
Care for fashion jewelry properly: This is how your favorite jewelry stays beautiful for a long time
Costume jewelry is fantastic! It allows us to pick up on current trends, vary our outfits and add individual accents without having to dig deep into our pockets. But who doesn't know it? Your favorite earrings tarnish, the necklace changes color or the shine of the bracelet wears off. The good news: with a few simple tricks Costume jewelry care you can significantly extend the lifespan of your treasures.
Correct handling and Storage of costume jewelry are crucial to avoid unsightly discoloration and signs of wear. This guide is your comprehensive guide for Jewelry care. We'll show you how to get yours Cleaning costume jewelry, protect and store it so that it accompanies you for a long time and always looks like new. Discover our tips and ensure that your favorite pieces retain their shine!
Your path to long-lasting fashion jewelry:
Why care is so important for fashion jewelry
Costume jewelry is often made from baser metals such as brass, copper or zinc alloys, plated with a thin layer of gold, silver or another finish. These materials react more sensitively to external influences than real jewelry.
- Tarnishing & Discoloration: Exposure to air, moisture, sweat and chemicals can cause oxidation, which can cause jewelry to darken or turn green.
- Abrasion of the coating: Frequent wear and friction can wear away the thin coating, revealing the metal underneath.
- Loss of shine: Residues from cosmetics, dirt and skin oils can make jewelry appear dull and lackluster.
A careful one Costume jewelry care minimizes these effects and ensures that your jewelry stays beautiful for longer and that you enjoy it.
Basics: What you should know about costume jewelry
In order to optimally care for your jewelry, it is helpful to know the typical materials. Costume jewelry is incredibly diverse, but some basic materials are commonly found:
Typical components of costume jewelry:
- Base materials: Often alloys made of brass, copper, tin or zinc. Sometimes also stainless steel (more robust) or plastic.
- Coatings (Platings): A thin layer of gold (gold plated), silver (silver plated), rose gold, rhodium or other metals to provide color and shine.
- Gemstones: Mostly glass stones (rhinestones), zirconia, synthetic resin or synthetic pearls.
- Other elements: Leather, textile straps, enamel.
The sensitivity depends largely on the quality of the plating and the base material. In general, the more careful you are, the longer the joy will be.
The golden rules of fashion jewelry care
With these simple rules of conduct you can protect yours Costume jewelry effective against premature wear. Integrate them into your daily routine!
Put on and take off correctly: the order counts
Principle: Jewelry goes last and is taken off first.
This is how you do it correctly:
- Only put on jewelry after dressing, doing your hair and applying make-up, perfume or hairspray.
- Always remove before undressing, showering, bathing or going to bed.
- Also remove when exercising or doing housework (cleaning, gardening).
Reason: Avoids direct contact with chemicals and mechanical stress.
You should avoid this:
- Sleeping with jewelry (friction, bending).
- Wear jewelry when applying lotion or sunscreen.
- Exposing jewelry to tension or pressure (e.g. when putting on and taking off tight clothing).
Reason: Reduces the risk of damage and exposure to harmful substances.
Avoid contact with moisture
Principle: Water, sweat and high humidity are the main enemies of costume jewelry.
How to protect your jewelry:
- Remove before showering, bathing, swimming (chlorine & salt water!) and sauna.
- Also take off rings and bracelets before washing your hands.
- After sweating heavily, remove the jewelry and pat dry.
Reason: Moisture accelerates oxidation and can attack coatings.
This damages your jewelry:
- Store costume jewelry in the bathroom (high humidity!).
- Simply leave wet or damp jewelry lying around.
- Wearing jewelry for an unnecessarily long time while exercising or on hot days when you sweat heavily.
Reason: Prolonged contact with moisture almost always leads to discoloration.
Particularly delicate necklaces or earrings with fine details quickly suffer from moisture - be extra careful here!
Be careful with cosmetics & chemicals
Principle: Perfume, hairspray, lotions and cleaning products can attack surfaces.
Here's how to do it safely:
- Always apply cosmetic products (perfume, hairspray, creams) first and allow them to absorb/dry well before putting on jewelry.
- Be sure to avoid contact with hair dyes, bleach or aggressive cleaning products.
Reason: Chemical ingredients can degrade or discolor metals and coatings.
You should avoid this:
- Spray jewelry directly with perfume.
- Use creamed hands immediately afterwards to put on jewelry.
- Wear jewelry while doing housework or handling chemicals.
Reason: Direct contact with aggressive substances leads to rapid wear.
Proper storage: Dark & dry
Principle: Separate, air-protected storage prevents scratches and tarnishing.
Ideal storage:
- Store each piece of jewelry individually in small fabric bags (e.g. velvet, cotton) or soft-lined jewelry boxes with compartments.
- Airtight containers or special anti-tarnish strips can help.
- Store in a cool, dry and dark place.
Reason: Prevents scratching from other jewelry and reduces contact with air and light that promote oxidation.
Unfavorable storage:
- Several pieces of jewelry loose together in a drawer or box.
- Hang on open jewelry stands in damp rooms (bathroom) or in direct sunlight.
- Storage in plastic bags that contain plasticizers (can react).
Reason: Promotes mechanical damage, tarnishing and discoloration.
Gentle cleaning methods for in between
Even with the best care, costume jewelry can still use a refresh. The important thing here is: Less is often more!
- Dry, soft cloth: After wearing it, it is often enough to carefully rub the jewelry with a soft, lint-free cloth (e.g. microfiber cloth, glasses cleaning cloth) to remove skin oils and light dirt.
- Minimally damp cloth: For more stubborn dirt, a cloth can be lightly moistened with lukewarm water. Dry jewelry thoroughly immediately afterwards!
- Special jewelry care wipes: There are special, very mild polishing cloths for costume jewelry. Use carefully and follow the instructions for use.
Important: Avoid aggressive cleaning agents, toothpaste, hard brushes or ultrasonic baths for your costume jewelry. These can damage the sensitive surfaces or loosen the adhesions of stones.
Professional tips for extra-long enjoyment
- Regularity is key: Make the above care steps a routine. A quick wipe after each wear works wonders.
- Be careful with “DIY hacks”: There are many tips for cleaning jewelry circulating on the Internet. Be skeptical, especially if aggressive home remedies are recommended. Always test in an inconspicuous area.
- Clear coat trick (with caution!): Some people swear by applying a thin layer of clear nail polish to the inside of rings or the back of pendants to prevent rubbing on the skin. Apply only very thinly and allow to dry thoroughly. Not suitable for all materials.
- Consider quality when purchasing: There are also differences in quality when it comes to fashion jewelry. A slightly thicker plating or a more robust base material such as stainless steel can be more durable. Browse our Lumoir collection for carefully selected pieces.
Conclusion: cared for with love, worn for a long time
The right one Costume jewelry care It's not rocket science, but it does require a little mindfulness. If you follow the simple basic rules of cleaning, protection from moisture and chemicals, and proper storage, you will find that your favorite accessories retain their shine and beauty for much longer.
Remember: costume jewelry is meant to bring joy and underline your style. With the right care, you can ensure that this joy lasts for a long time. Discover the diversity Lumoir Jewelry and find new treasures that you can cherish and care for for a long time with these tips!
About the author: Robin Aebischer
As the founder of Lumoir Jewelry, I share my passion for unique fashion jewelry and current styling tips. My goal is to inspire you and help you find pieces of jewelry that underline your personality and give you joy for a long time.
