Jewelry is an investment that can last for generations with proper care and maintenance. As such, storing jewelry safely is extremely important. But, is it safe to store your jewelry in plastic?
Having a collection of unique and beautiful pieces of jewelry brings about pride and joy. Not only does it show your spectacular sense of style, but it also helps in expressing yourself and keeping up with all the popular fashion accessories trends.
Whether it is an inherited heirloom that has withstood generations or a romantic gift from your significant other, jewelry has some sentimental value to its owners. It deserves to be treated with care to ensure they last for a long time. It is vital to clean and store your jewelry properly to prevent it from getting lost or becoming damaged over time. However, is it safe to store your jewelry in plastic?
Is it ok to store your jewelry in plastic bags?
There are several ways to store your jewelry correctly. However, you should ensure that they are safe and away from the curious eye of others while in storage, especially for your fine jewelry. Similarly, some storage methods are considerably more harmful than others.
The best way to store your jewelry is to consider the materials used in its construction, how much the jewelry is worth, and the type of jewelry you want to store. However, it is essential to ensure your jewelry items are clean and dry before storage since moisture and exposure to other chemical substances can cause it to discolor or degrade much faster.
Some people have a habit of storing their jewelry in plastic bags. If you are sure the material construction of your jewelry is stronger than that of the plastic bag, you can go ahead and store your jewelry in it. It is okay to store your jewelry in plastic bags for a short duration, like when traveling, if you lack a better place to store your items.
However, it is not advisable to store jewelry in plastic bags permanently. When storing jewelry in plastic bags, ensure you squeeze out all the air in it to prevent the jewelry from tarnishing. You may also opt to put a few silica packets in the plastic bag to absorb excess moisture.
Is it safe to store jewelry in plastic?
Some plastic bags emit certain vapors that can discolor your jewelry over time; thus, diminishing its value. As such, it is not safe to store jewelry in low-quality plastic bags. However, if you have no choice but to store your jewelry in plastic bags, you must keep air out. Some jewelers recommend using zip-lock plastic bags with anti-tarnish material built in the plastic to prevent oxidation of the jewelry.
If your jewelry has precious stone settings, it is vital to prevent storing them in plastic bags. The vapors emitted by the plastic discolor and destroy the surface of gemstones, like pearls, opals, amber, and diamonds; thus, ruining their lustrous appearance.
Some Tips if you want to store your jewelry in plastic
Storing your jewelry in plastic bags is not recommended due to the damage it causes to the metal and gemstones in your jewelry. However, if you do not have any other choice but to store it in a plastic bag, it is best also to place them inside the bag to absorb excess moisture. You may also choose to drop a few silica packets in the bag or charcoal instead of the anti-tarnishing strips. It is vital always to ensure your jewelry is clean and dry as moisture and wet conditions cause oxidation of the jewelry.
Similarly, it is also crucial to store your jewelry in high-quality plastic bags to minimize the amount of vapors emitted by them over time. Plastic zip lock bags are some of the most common plastic bags used to store jewelry. Make sure you squeeze out all the air in the bag to prevent oxidation of the jewelry.
Once your jewelry is in a plastic bag for storage, you must keep the bag in a safe and dark location as excessive sunlight can cause discoloration or tarnishing of the jewelry. Do not expose your jewelry to direct sunlight since the metal and the stone settings in the jewelry may become damaged by prolonged exposure to UV light.
Alternative ways to store your jewelry
The best place to store your jewelry is in a clean and dry place, like in a jewelry box or case. However, in most cases, jewelry boxes are expensive to buy, so many people opt to use an ordinary box and transform it into a jewelry box.
Make sure you sort out your piece of jewelry before storing them to prevent having them in a lump in your storage space. As such, gold and diamond jewelry are best stored in your jewelry box, away from other antique ornaments in your collection. Make sure your jewelry box is tidy and organized at all times.
Most jewelry comes in special pouches or bags upon purchase. It is advisable to continue storing these pieces of jewelry in these bags whenever you are not wearing them. These special pouches or boxes were designed with the specific jewelry item in mind. Often, these special pouches or boxes contain soft fabric that adds to the protection of the jewelry.
Nothing is as frustrating as reaching for your favorite necklace and finding it entangled in a clump with other pieces of jewelry. Hang your necklaces by using hooks or pegboards, or put them in individual bags to avoid this menace. If you opt to put them in their own bags, clasp the necklace together and have a small amount of the clasp hanging out of the bag to keep it from getting tangled.
It is also crucial to note that wrapping your silver and diamond jewelry in a clean and soft cloth will prevent it from tarnishing and scratching. It also prevents them from excessive exposure to air, keeping them from oxidizing. Do not mix your silver jewelry with rubber items as the sulfur compounds in them will cause the silver to tarnish faster.
Conclusion
Jewelry serves a special purpose for everyone. Understanding how to store your jewelry properly is crucial in prolonging its lifespan. The storage of each metal jewelry and stone is different from the other. As such, follow the guidelines mentioned above to get the most extended service from your pieces of jewelry.
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