Since vintage costume jewelry
is obviously not new, there are some special guidelines needed to help preserve their beauty and longevity. Here are some tips:
Rhinestones:
Many glass rhinestones have coatings and foil backings that add sparkle and color but need extra care when cleaning:
- be gentle and use only a mild solutions and a nice soft lint free cloth when cleaning to avoid scratching
- use liquid sparingly and thoroughly dry the piece when finished
- never completely immerse vintage jewelry in any cleaning solution.
Excessive moisture can cause these backings and coating to darken or peel.
Claws and Settings
- check the piece of jewelry first for claws that may be askew by running your finger over the stones. This will allow you to determine if there are any spots that your cloth may catch and permanently damage the piece.
- do not over-polish a piece of jewelry or remove the natural patina of vintage or antique jewelry - you want to remove only the dust and dirt to preserve it's value. This is especially true of sterling silver jewelry.
A word about Hairspray and PerfumesAlways apply hairsprays and perfumes before putting on your vintage costume jewelry. Exposure to the ingredients in both may cause damage to settings and stones. Storage- store your gems in soft cotton jewelry pouches to avoid bumps and scratching
- store separately, again to avoid scratching and also tangles
- away from heat and excessive moisture
- avoid storing in oak jewel boxes which release fumes that are damaging to your precious costume jewels
- store all celluloid plastic jewelry separately as it also emits fumes that are highly damaging to costume jewelry and other plastics
Vintage costume jewelry is fun to collect and even more fun to wear. Don’t let the cleaning and care of vintage costume jewelry keep you from owing some truly spectacular pieces. It really is easier than you might think.
Vintage and Antique Jewelry Research Information
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