Care of Jewelry and Beads
While most beaded jewelry doesn't require extensive care, some TLC is necessary to keep your work looking like new. Use the following tips to keep stones looking fresh and sparkling, and metals from looking dull and dingy! Also, use these tips with beads you have not used for jewelry creation yet — keeping them looking good will incite you to use them!
Storage: The easiest and least expensive method of storing jewelry is to use zippered plastic bags. While sandwich bags are okay, I'd recommend the thicker plastic ml of "jewelry" quality bags, available at hobby stores or most online jewelry supplies (Rings N Things, Fire Mountain Gems, Thunderbird Supply Company to name a few). Using bags inhibits unwanted tarnishing, and will prevent dust and other soils from getting on your jewelry. Jewelry made with sterling silver, Bali, Hill Tribe or copper are especially vulnerable to unwanted oxidization, and should always be stored in plastic bags. You can also purchase special velvet pouches or boxes to store jewelry in — the main idea is to keep your jewelry out of the air when it's not being worn.
Also, while it's tempting to do so, don't store jewelry in your bathroom. The moisture in the air will speed up the oxidization process!
Cleaning: When deciding how to clean jewelry, first look at the stones that are used in your piece. Opals, pearls and corals should not be cleaned with most chemical cleaners; use a soft cloth or super-soft toothbrush and gentle detergent at most to clean these pieces. More durable stones can withstand mild jewelry cleaners, but read the care instructions on the cleaner before using! Crystals and glass beads can benefit from commercial cleaning substances which remove dirt, oils, and other material that may cause beads to lose brilliance or sparkle.
Sterling, copper, Bali and Hill Tribe silver can be cleaned using a polishing cloth, available at hobby stores or most online jewelry supplies (Rings N Things, Fire Mountain Gems, Thunderbird Supply Company etc.,). If the piece is badly tarnished, you may first want to clean using a tarnish remover. A paste or cream tarnish remover, diluted and used with an old toothbrush works well; use caution with "dip" methods, such as Tarnex. Keep in mind that tarnish removers may remove intended oxidization!
Because Hill Tribe has a higher content of pure silver than Bali or sterling, I am very cautious when cleaning it and generally don't use anything more than a polishing cloth. If the cloth will not remove tarnish, test a small section on the back of a pendant or bead if you are not sure how the piece will react.
Proper cleaning and storage of your beads and jewelry will help them to last for years and years! The rule of thumb is to use the least aggressive method of cleaning that you can get away with.
