Handmade costume jewelry is a treasure that, with proper care, can maintain its beauty for a long time. However, unlike fine jewelry, it's more susceptible to wear and tarnishing. Did you know that even your skin's pH can affect your pieces? Here's how to protect them.

Why is costume jewelry more delicate?

Unlike jewelry made with solid gold or silver, handcrafted costume jewelry is usually made with metal alloys, natural pearls, and semi-precious stones, which are more vulnerable to factors such as humidity, heat, and, surprisingly, the pH of your skin.

The pH of your skin varies from person to person, and if you have more acidic skin, this can accelerate the oxidation of metals and darken or dull pearls and gemstones. This process occurs when the acids in your skin react with the metals in your jewelry, causing dark spots or discoloration.

Practical Tips for Caring for Your Jewelry

1. Smart Storage : Store your pieces in a dry place, preferably in cloth bags or a jewelry box with individual compartments. Avoid direct sunlight and humidity.

2. Cleaning After Use : After wearing your jewelry, clean it with a soft cloth to remove traces of sweat and oils that can contribute to darkening.

3. Avoid contact with chemicals : Perfumes, creams, and other products can affect stones and metals. Apply these products before putting on your jewelry and make sure your skin is dry.

4. Know your pH : If you notice some pieces tarnishing quickly, it could be a sign that your skin's pH is more acidic. In this case, consider cleaning your jewelry more frequently and wearing it only on special occasions.

5. Careful Handling : Handle the pieces gently, especially those with stones or pearls, to avoid bumps that could damage them.

Ultimately, costume jewelry is much more delicate than fine jewelry. It requires more care to maintain its original beauty for a long time. Soon at Kirei, we'll have a service to give new life to those pieces of costume jewelry that have been damaged but whose components can still be used to create new pieces. Stay tuned and follow us.

Happy summer!!