How Do You Care for Estate Jewelry?

The term estate jewelry sounds like it has some hidden meaning behind it, but estate jewelry is just previously owned jewelry. While estate jewelry can be antique—meaning that it is 100 years old or older—or vintage, which means that it was made from the 1940 to the 1980s, it doesn’t have to be.

Many people see value in getting brand-new jewelry, but estate jewelry is a good way to save a little money on beautiful, timeless pieces of jewelry that are now unique. Noe’s Jewelry in Raymore, Missouri, has a large selection of estate jewelry from various time periods.

Why Do People Buy Estate Jewelry?

Estate jewelry may seem odd to some, but for others, it is an adventure. Purchasing estate jewelry allows you to find one-of-a-kind pieces that wouldn’t otherwise be available. Each piece of estate jewelry has a history behind it as well. Whether you know about the previous owner of the jewelry or not, you will only add to the memories made with the piece.

Once you have invested in a piece of estate jewelry, you will want to keep it looking its very best. While all jewelry needs to be cared for properly, it is especially important with older pieces as they can be harder to fix once damaged.

How to Properly Care for Estate Jewelry

Noe’s Jewelry has a few simple rules for taking the best care of estate jewelry. If you do notice any damage to your estate jewelry, be sure to stop by Noe’s so we can try to help.

First, be gentle with your jewelry. If you are going to be lifting weights, doing construction, painting, or cleaning with harsh chemicals, do yourself a favor and take off your jewelry. All of these tasks can cause serious, permanent damage to precious metals and stones.

Manual labor or weightlifting while wearing rings can cause the metal to become misshapen or scratched. It is advised that you remove rings before you start any of these kinds of tasks. Other jewelry may fare better when taken off during these activities as well.

The chemicals found in common household cleaners can be very tough on jewelry. Slip off your jewelry before you start cleaning to prevent any damage to the stones or discoloration of the metal.

We recommend taking your jewelry off before swimming in a pool or ocean, as well. Both chlorine and salt water can damage your estate jewelry.

Any wear and tear that can be saved on a ring, just makes it have a longer life. All of our sales associates walk in the door to our homes and immediately take off all our jewelry. Things like, sheets, paper, and other seemingly harmless objects can be like sandpaper to prongs. Gold is soft and will wear, but as long as the customer is conscious of the ring and takes care of it, it can last and be maintained for many, many years.

While we recommend having your jewelry professionally cleaned at least once a year, cleaning estate jewelry at home can quickly lead to disastrous results. Steam and ultra-sonic cleaners may cause damage on antique jewelry. It is best to leave the cleaning to a professional.

Be sure to check your jewelry on occasion. If you are proactive, you may notice a loose stone or broken prong before you lose a stone. Also, check on the metal to make sure it isn’t starting to tarnish or discolor. If you do notice anything unusual, bring your piece in to a jeweler right away. If you are in the Kansas City Metro Area, drop by Noe’s Jewelry to have your jewelry thoroughly inspected.

Lastly, if you have a special piece of jewelry, get it insured. While not all of your jewelry necessarily needs to be insured, if you have your great-grandmother’s engagement ring or a pricey necklace, you should definitely get it insured. While this won’t prevent damage, it can help you recoup your losses if the ring is lost, damaged, or stolen.

For any further information on caring for estate jewelry, visit Noe’s Jewelry in Raymore, Missouri. We also invite you to give us a call at 816-322-7227.