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Every piece of fine jewellery has meaning to its owner. It may represent a graduation or birthday or bring back treasured memories.
But when it comes to family heirloom jewellery, the item’s meaning is rich and vast. Over the years, the piece comes to represent people, places, events and relationships. It can tell tales as eloquently as a storyteller and embody the hopes of the future
As the custodian of an heirloom, you have a special responsibility to keep it safe. It has been passed down to you in all its beauty and drama, and you will pass it down to younger family members. To ensure the piece will last forever, you’ll need to be proactive. In this post, we look at five tips to keep your heirloom jewellery sparkling and secure.
It happens: a prong on your grandmother’s ring bends out of shape, or an earring gets scratched in a dusty old jewellery box.
When heirloom jewellery becomes damaged, a downward spiral may occur. A damaged prong could lead to the loss of a gemstone. Scratches may dull the surface and hide the piece’s value from future generations.
To avoid these tragedies, keep your heirloom jewellery in good repair. If it requires a jeweller’s touch, schedule an appointment and have your jeweller restore it to its former glory. Ask your jeweller if your piece requires any special maintenance. For instance, antique gold jewellery should be polished regularly to keep tarnish at bay.
Is it possible to avoid crimped chains and chipped gemstones? Absolutely. Wear your heirloom jewellery proudly, but when it’s not needed, store it carefully.
Keep your pieces stored separately so they don’t knock into one another and cause scratches. Wrap silver in silver cloth bags, and store softer gemstones (such as emeralds and opals) in archival tissue.
Store the rest of your heirloom jewellery in pouches made of soft cloth, or lay them gently in lined boxes with compartments and dividers. Here are some specific storage ideas for certain kinds of jewellery.
Padded ring boxes are ideal for storing vintage rings and earrings. They keep the piece away from dust, and they won’t be able to clink against other hard objects. But some people want to be able to see their jewellery more easily.
If this is the case for you, consider storing them in a velvet-lined jewellery organiser that has dividers for keeping items separate. You can slide the organiser into your top drawer, and see your rings and earrings on display as you decide what to wear in the morning.
Instead of hanging necklaces and bracelets, store them flat, and don’t allow them to become tangled with other chains. If you don’t have the original boxes for your heirloom necklaces, look for a lined jewellery box with dividers and compartments.
Lastly, store your heirloom jewellery in a dry location, away from sunlight. Note that oak boxes can develop moisture, which causes some metals to deteriorate more quickly.
Wanting to wear grandmother’s earrings at your nephew’s wedding next month. Go ahead and travel with them, but take extra precautions.
Select a storage option that will keep your jewellery safe without drawing attention to it. Jewellery rolls and pouches work well because they insulate the piece from the other items in your baggage.
Keep your jewellery with you at all times. Don’t pack it in your checked baggage where it could get rerouted or lost. If you worry that it will be flagged at a security checkpoint, wear it through the airport.
People don’t often realise that sunscreens, lotions, household chemicals, chlorine and even saltwater can damage heirloom jewellery. These substances can harm gold rings to the point of causing the prongs to break and the diamond to fall out.
Limit your jewellery’s exposure to hairspray, perfume, body lotion and other chemical substances. Remove your rings while cleaning and washing dishes, and never wear your heirloom jewellery to the swimming pool.
The best way to ensure that your heirloom jewellery will last forever is to insure it with Q Report jewellery insurance. With an agreed value policy, your heirloom jewellery will always be fully protected from theft, loss and damage.
If your piece does sustain damage, you can return to your family jeweller for repairs or replacement. While the family heirloom is in your custody, treasure it. Future generations will thank you for taking care of it and passing it on.
To get an accurate insurance quote, please provide the amount from your purchase receipt.
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