Jewellery is a form of self-expression. When the right piece of Jewellery is worn with our clothing, it enhances the way we look, and in fact, jewellery designing is an art. We all own many elegant and meaningful jewels, but do we give them our utmost care? Here are some of the mistakes that can be avoided so that our jewels can last a lifetime.  

Not being aware of the making of Jewellery: 

Before purchasing a piece of Jewellery, one should always ask the seller about what the jewellery pieces are made from. Not all jewels are made from gold, sterling silver, and other precious metals. Sometimes a piece of Jewellery may look like gold, but the cost may be low. This means that it is not gold. Jewellery made from non-precious metal may cause some allergic reactions to the skin, turning the skin black or green over time. This is because they may be plated metals. There are both natural and man-made gemstones available in the market, and even fake ones are available. So, one should be very careful while buying jewels and know the materials used to make the jewels. 

2. Same Jewellery being worn every day: 

Once the Jewellery is worn every day, it may lose its lustre and become grimy. We may also fail to notice it. That is why we must take off the Jewellery we wear every day and give a gentle clean-up every 1-2 weeks with warm water and gentle soap. Also, periodically have a look at your collection of Jewellery and change the piece of Jewellery you wear for your everyday use. There are many jewellery designing courses in prestigious institutes like JD Institute of Fashion Technology which can give an instant new look to your regular Jewellery. The jewellery designing courses fees are affordable and can give versatility to your profile.

3. Failing to be creative with the Jewellery: 

Sometimes we must use the creative side ours while dressing up and using the right Jewellery to accentuate our appearance. We can try many combinations of Jewellery and dress. We can make notes as to what works best for us. While doing this, we may find that we need to extend our style to invest in Jewellery or dress and work innovatively to spice up our style. 

4. Not washing and maintaining the Jewellery regularly: 

The regular use of Jewellery can accumulate dirt and grime. Many people forget this, and as time goes, the Jewellery will tarnish. Just as we wash and maintain our clothes, it’s important that we clean the Jewellery from time to time. The Jewellery can be scheduled to be cleaned twice a year or as often as every week. It depends on the type of Jewellery that is being washed. It can be washed using a gentle soap which can remove tarnish. Polishing cloth, silver dip can also be used but must be consulted with the professionals about using it. It must not be washed harshly.  

5. Using inappropriate Jewellery cleaning procedures: 

Cleaning of Jewellery is essential, but how do we clean it and what methods do we adopt while cleaning is also important. This is because different types of Jewellery require different ways of cleaning. Some methods must be avoided. For example, toothpaste, baking soda, when used to clean metal jewellery, will have a negative impact on the Jewellery as it has a depleting effect and is abrasive. This decreases the value of the Jewellery. Another inappropriate cleaning method is the use of alcohol on the gemstones. There are certain chemicals that professionals use for cleaning. It is always recommended to use that as they assure the safety of the jewels. 

6. Wearing Jewellery while being in water: 

When we are in the water, be it a shower or swimming, it is always advisable to not wear any jewels. This is because we may lose a tiny piece of jewels. There may be residues of soaps, body washes, shampoos, or conditioners left behind in the jewels, which may cause damage in the long run. When pearls and opals get exposed to water and other chemicals may damage these precious stones permanently. The chlorine found in the swimming pools may discolour silver and gemstones. Gold also loses its quality, the salt water of the sea can erode certain Jewellery.  

7. Failing to Store the Jewellery Properly: 

Some conditions are extremely harmful to the jewels. Humidity can tarnish sterling silver jewellery and other precious Jewellery. They are also likely to become dusty when they are kept in the open air. It can also tarnish sterling silver while storing. It is also important to note that they don’t rub against each other as it may scratch or scuff the jewels, gemstones. It is always essential to store the Jewellery in a padded jewellery box or jewellery roll that is free from free-flowing air and humidity. 

8. Failing to Clasp the Necklace While Storing: 

It is always important to remember to clasp the necklace after taking it off. If not, the necklace may get tangled, and it won’t be easy to untangle it. Ultimately, so much time will be spent in untangling it. It may also cause damage to the necklace.  

9. Not Thinking About the Ethics in Jewellery Buying: 

The below-mentioned points are to be noted while purchasing Jewellery: 

• Is the jewellery dealer honest about the materials used to manufacture their pieces? 
• Whether the rate of the jewellery pieces is proper? 
• Who designs and manufactures the jewellery pieces? Are the places of manufacturing the jewellery pieces ethically safe? 
• What kind of gemstones are used? (Lab-grown stones or mined stones). 
• Are the valuable stones ethically sourced? 
• Are the precious metals being recycled while manufacturing?            

10. Purchasing Jewellery from a Low-Cost Store: 

Jewels are very precious and are a significant investment. Hence it must be purchased from reliable stores. Just because a store sells Jewellery for a very cheap rate does not mean it is reliable. Customers must be cautious because the workmanship will be of shallow grade, and if something goes wrong with the Jewellery, it can’t be repaired. Traditional Jewellery can be purchased in a small-scale manufacturing shop with a good reputation. Independent designers can be contacted for contemporary Jewellery.  

11. Choosing a Necklace That Does Not Match Your Neckline: 

There are different types and lengths of necklaces available. We want to match our outfit with the necklace. But at the same time, our necklace should go well with the neckline. Different lengths of necklaces can highlight different types of necklines. For example, a short chain is suitable for a long neck, and a long chain goes well with the collarbone. Necklace extenders can also be used to change the lengths of the neck pieces to suit our neckline.  

12. Not Knowing the Ring Size Before Purchasing: 

One of the very confusing things that cause a delay while buying a ring while purchasing is not determining the ring size correctly before shopping. If a mistake has happened, there will also be a need to spend extra money to rectify it, and time is also wasted. Hence, it would be better to know the ring size well before purchasing.