How to Care for Your Handmade Jewelry
You've made your own piece of jewelry. Beautiful, timeless and made entirely by you. But how do you make sure it stays beautiful for as long as possible? In this article we explain exactly how to care for your handmade jewelry so it lasts for years.
Why Is Caring for Handmade Jewelry Important?
Handmade jewelry deserves extra attention when it comes to care. Not because it's more fragile than store-bought jewelry, but because you've put your own time and effort into it. With the right care your jewelry will look beautiful for years to come.
Fortunately, caring for stainless steel jewelry is much easier than caring for silver or gold. Stainless steel is one of the most durable materials for jewelry and requires very little maintenance.
How to Care for Stainless Steel Jewelry
Our kits contain exclusively high quality stainless steel materials. That makes maintenance simple. Here are the most important tips for caring for stainless steel jewelry.
Cleaning
Wipe your jewelry regularly with a soft, dry cloth to remove dust and dirt. For a deeper clean, use a soft cloth lightly moistened with lukewarm water. Avoid harsh cleaning products, bleach or chemical cleaners. These can affect the shine of the stainless steel.
Always dry your jewelry thoroughly after cleaning. Don't leave it wet because even though stainless steel is water-resistant, prolonged contact with water can leave small lime deposits.
Storage
Store your jewelry separately from each other to prevent scratches. A small jewelry box or a soft pouch per piece is ideal. Don't store your jewelry in a humid bathroom but in a dry, cool place.
Hang your necklaces on a jewelry stand to prevent tangles and knots. This is especially a good idea for fine necklaces with small links.
Wearing
Stainless steel is water-resistant and skin-friendly, so you can safely wear your jewelry daily. However, there are a few situations where it's better to take your jewelry off.
- When exercising - sweat can eventually affect the shine
- When swimming in chlorinated water - chlorine is aggressive for many materials
- When using perfume or hairspray - spray your perfume or hairspray before putting on your jewelry, not after
- When sleeping - not required, but it extends the life of your jewelry
How to Care for Bead Jewelry
In addition to the stainless steel components, our kits also contain beads such as rice pearl beads and acrylic beads. Here are specific tips for caring for these materials.
Rice Pearl Beads
Pearls are delicate materials that deserve extra attention. Always wipe pearls after wearing with a soft, dry cloth to remove skin oils and perfume residue. Pearls are sensitive to acids, so avoid contact with perfume, hand cream and sweat as much as possible.
Store pearls separately from other jewelry and metal components to prevent scratches. A soft pouch or a box with soft lining is ideal for pearl necklaces.
Acrylic Beads
Acrylic beads are easy to care for. Wipe them with a soft, slightly damp cloth for stains or dirt. Avoid abrasives and solvents such as acetone or alcohol as these can affect the shine of acrylic or cause the color to fade.
What to Do If Your Jewelry Is Damaged?
Sometimes something can go wrong with your jewelry. A jump ring that opens, a crimp bead that comes loose or a bead that slides off the wire. Fortunately, most small repairs are easy to do yourself with a set of pliers.
An open jump ring can easily be closed again with flat nose pliers. A loose crimp bead can be replaced with a new one. And if a bead slides off the wire, you can restring the piece of wire and secure it again.
Browse our pliers set →How Long Do Handmade Jewelry Pieces Last?
With proper care, stainless steel jewelry lasts for years. Stainless steel is one of the most durable materials for jewelry and is resistant to daily use. The rice pearl beads and acrylic beads in our kits are also of good quality and last a long time with normal use.
The lifespan of your jewelry also depends on how you wear and store it. A piece of jewelry that is worn daily and well cared for lasts much longer than jewelry that is stored carelessly or comes into contact with aggressive substances.
Frequently Asked Questions About Caring for Handmade Jewelry
Can I wear my stainless steel necklace in the shower?
Yes, stainless steel is water-resistant. However, we recommend taking your necklace off in the shower because soap and shampoo can leave small residues that can affect the shine over time.
Does stainless steel discolor?
No, stainless steel does not discolor with normal use. That is one of the great advantages of stainless steel over other metals such as silver or gold plated.
Can I store my pearl necklace in the bathroom?
We don't recommend this. A humid bathroom is not ideal for storing jewelry. Store your jewelry in a dry, cool place.
How do I remove scratches from my jewelry?
Small scratches on stainless steel can sometimes be removed with a soft polishing cloth. Deep scratches unfortunately cannot be removed. Prevent scratches by storing your jewelry separately.
Can I repair my jewelry if something goes wrong?
Most small repairs such as an opened jump ring or a loose crimp bead are easy to do yourself with flat nose pliers.
Conclusion
Caring for handmade jewelry is easier than you think, especially when made from high quality stainless steel. Wipe your jewelry regularly, store it in a dry place and separately from other jewelry, and take it off during activities where it may come into contact with aggressive substances. With these simple steps you'll enjoy your handmade jewelry for years to come.
Don't have your own piece of jewelry yet? Make your own necklace or phone cord with one of our complete DIY kits.
Browse our kits →
