Like the ultimate glamour icon Marilyn Monroe declared in her musical number from the 1953 film Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, diamonds, and by extension jewellery, are a girl’s best friend. Apart from their ability to elevate any outfit and bring out a person’s best features, making them feel stylish and confident, these accessories also serve as a form of expression, with a wide range of styles and designs that can help one showcase their personality or convey their deepest emotions.
Moreover, fine jewellery pieces made of precious metals and stones are considered a great investment as they tend to preserve their value over time, especially if they are well maintained. Given their beauty, worth and timeless appeal, the allure that jewellery holds in women’s world is undeniable.
We can all agree that every woman can use a bit of bling in her life. However, one should not forget that jewellery requires specific care and attention. There are also instances when wearing jewellery is not recommended and they should be removed or kept to a minimum.
Since jewellery has become such an integral part of our lives, here are some unwritten rules that all jewellery wearers should keep in mind if they want to enjoy these lovely accessories for years on end and avoid unpleasant situations.
Give your jewellery some TLC
Jewellery are an essential fashion accessory and just like any other piece in your wardrobe, it needs to be cared for, cleaned and properly maintained in order to prevent damage and preserve its beauty for longer.
Through constant wear and exposure to elements, jewellery may get scratched, become tarnished or suffer other types of damage, and that can deteriorate their appearance and quality. Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to avoid these situations and keep them looking brand new.
For starters, it’s important to clean your jewellery regularly so you can remove any oils, tarnish or grime and restore their shine. Most pieces can be cleaned at home using a combination of mild soap and warm water, but if your jewellery is particularly fragile, it’s best to have them professionally cleaned.
You should keep in mind that excessive heat and exposure to light can cause irreparable damage to some of your jewellery. This can affect the colour and durability of gemstones such as amethyst, kunzite, and topaz and bleach delicate materials like pearls and ivory.
It’s also important to avoid contact with harsh substances, including household cleaners, perfumes and body care products. These chemicals can damage the surface of precious metals like gold, silver, platinum and certain gems or cause discolouration.
Last but not least, make sure you remove your precious pieces before you go to bed or before engaging in certain activities and store them properly. When you’re not wearing your jewellery, you should place them in padded boxes in separate compartments to ensure they don’t get scratched or tangled.
Safety first, sparkle after
Jewellery has the uncanny ability to transform a person’s appearance, but there’s a time and a place for wearing them. In certain work settings, like offices, there are no restrictions about wearing jewellery. However, when manual labour is involved or when your job requires a high level of cleanliness, it’s best to leave your jewels at home or in the locker room. Many companies have clear guidelines in this respect, requiring employees not to wear jewellery pieces while they’re on the job in order to avoid potentially risky situations.
There are other situations when wearing jewellery is not a good idea such as the beach, due to sun and water exposure and contact with sunscreen; when you’re sick since it can cause unexpected complications; or when engaging in physical activities like playing sports or going at the gym as it can increase the risk of injuries.
If you suffer from skin sensitivities or allergies, make sure you choose your jewellery wisely in order to avoid an allergic reaction. Some retailers might not be entirely transparent about the composition of the pieces they sell or worse, make false claims and market their items as hypoallergenic when in reality they’re not. The last thing you want is to start looking for a how to sue guide and get into a legal battle with a jewellery company for causing you harm.
The right pieces for each occasion
Safety aside, wearing jewellery also implies following a certain etiquette. Your love for precious pieces shouldn’t trump your sense of style, so you must learn how to pick and combine jewellery for every occasion.
For everyday wear, the less is more approach is the way to go. This means you should resist the urge to adorn yourself from head to toe with precious accessories if you’re just going out to run errands. Choose versatile pieces that can be paired with any outfit to complete and elevate your look.
When it comes to professional settings, you need to abide by the rules of the company you work for. If wearing jewellery is allowed, anything that’s simple and subtle will do. And since you’ll be wearing them for 8+ hours, make sure you choose pieces that are comfortable and don’t prevent you from performing your tasks.
Ready to hit the town for the evening? Then it’s time to be a little bolder and bring out statement pieces that can add a bit of interest and sparkle to your outfit. Obviously, you should make sure your attire matches the jewellery you’re wearing.
As for special occasions, timeless pieces that ooze elegance and sophistication are a great way to make your outfit stand out. Diamonds and pearls are perfectly suited for these types of events, as are brooches and headpieces.
As a final piece of advice, don’t forget to have fun when choosing and combining jewellery. After all, their main purpose is to bring joy to your life and make you feel good.
