Owning any kind of antique jewelry is usually a serious investment. Your piece is not only a work of art, it's a part of history. Age not only makes your jewelry more valuable, it makes it more vulnerable. To ensure your investment stays in tip-top shape, you must care for it properly.
Storing
For the best results, store each piece of antique jewelry separately. Different metals, gems and other assorted material can react with one another. Storing jewelry together can also lead to tangles, scratching or even broken pieces.
Always store your jewelry in a clean, safe environment. Placing your jewelry in a container helps to not only prevent physical damage, but reduces dust build-up as well. Keep in mind that wood or plastic boxes may contain chemicals that can react badly with your precious heirlooms. Most people choose bags or boxes lined with soft fabric to help prevent chemical reactions, scratching or moisture problems.
Moisture is a huge enemy to most kinds of antique jewelry and is a breeding ground for rust. If your jewelry uses any sort of metal, you want to make your piece is completely dry when storing. Antique pearl jewelry can become discolored if left wet and anything with rhinestones risks dissolving the gem's backing.
Cleaning
The safest and most reliable way to clean antique jewelry is to take it to a professional. If your jewelry is an expensive investment, you really don't want to mess around with home remedies that may damage it. Do some maintenance and general care at home, but leave any deep cleaning to someone with experience.
A soft cloth is always useful to help freshen up and maintain most types of antique jewelry. Metals can be gently buffed clean and stones can be lightly dusted off. A toothbrush with extremely soft bristles can also help with dusting, especially in small, difficult areas such as etchings or settings.
If you do need to do some mild jewelry cleaning at home, make sure to avoid using any products that contain alcohol, bleach, vinegar or ammonia. Generally, anything with heavy acid content will damage most kinds of antique jewelry. Whatever you use, avoid applying it directly to your jewelry. Always use a solution, such as soapy water, or diluting applicator, such as a rag, to apply any cleanser.
 | When you begin collecting vintage jewelry, buy what you love, but favor the quality and condition of the piece in question over simply filling a space in your collection. |
 | If you are interested in collecting vintage jewlery, consider taking a look at antique watches. |
 | Those involved in the Art Nouveau, or "new art," movement wanted to wrench art away from its classical forms and create a new type of outlook on art in its various formats. |
For those interested in obtaining beauty, and sometimes history, collecting jewelry provides many rewards. From antiques to modernized pieces, jewelry makes for a wonderful collectible. |
Do you know that many individuals sell antique jewelry for a profit? For some individuals, especially those unfamiliar with antiques, it may be a bit difficult to get started. |
