Caring for Antique Jewelry: Tips to Make Your Treasures Last
You’ve hunted, stalked, and finally scored that holy grail piece. What a feeling! But now what? How do you take care of your antique jewelry so it looks its best—and lasts another hundred years?
Let’s talk storage, cleaning, wearing, and—most importantly—enjoying!
STORING: Give Every Jewel Its Own Home
First things first: no piles, no tangles, no scratches. Every piece deserves its own space.
Store jewelry individually in soft pouches or separate compartments in a tray or case. This prevents scratching, tarnishing, and accidental damage.
Avoid letting silver and gold touch—silver can tarnish gold over time.
Keep earring pairs separated; earring wires can scratch.
When I ship pieces to you, they arrive in plush, double-sided Luck and Lockets pouches—perfect for continued storage. Please reuse them!
For see-through storage, I love the thick, plastic slider pouches from BSD Supply. They come in a multitude of shapes and sizes for bracelets, pendants, etc. You can also find similar options on Amazon (not quite the same quality, but they may suit your needs).
And when traveling? I always use a firm, structured case. It can be as simple as placing your pouches in a plastic crafts box, or a personal favorite is a case from Smythson. Your precious pieces are worth the extra protection.
CLEANING: Be Gentle
Every piece I send out is cleaned before shipping, and here’s how I recommend caring for yours at home:
Gold chains without stones: An ultrasonic cleaner works great—but avoid submerging antique clasps like dog clips. Keep the clasp above water to protect delicate antique mechanisms.
Other pieces: Use an eye makeup brush or other small soft brush with a mild dish soap and lukewarm water solution. Rinse gently with cool water, then pat or air dry. You might have to repeat the process if a piece is especially soiled, but better to proceed gently than too vigorously.
Special care for special pieces: Never submerge antique foiled jewelry. Never polish bloomed antique gold—it can ruin that gorgeous matte finish!
WEARING: A Little Caution Goes a Long Way
I get it—some of you never take your jewelry off. But for antique pieces, I strongly recommend removing them before sleeping, swimming or showering, working out, gardening, cleaning or heavy tasks. This helps prevent knocks, tangles, water damage, and the heartbreak of lost jewels in a flower bed!
Always double-check that clasps are properly closed (nothing caught) before you head out. Use safety backs on earrings (those plastic ones are also good to secure brooches). In cold weather, know that rings can loosen — and can slip off with your gloves.
One more tip? I always try to put on and take off my jewelry over a carpet or other soft surface. Hard marble floors and bathroom sinks have claimed a few of my pieces over the years. Learn from my mistakes!
ENJOYING: Wear It Often, Love It Always
That’s it for now. Antique jewelry isn’t meant to sit in a drawer—so wear it and enjoy it! Share its story, make it yours.
If you have any questions about caring for a specific piece from my shop, I’m always here to help.
XO, Yvonne