How to Take Care of a Family Heirloom

Family heirlooms have great sentimental significance as well as financial value, which is why it’s important to keep them in great condition. To help you, we’ve come up with an easy guide on how to take care of your family heirloom jewellery or watch. 

When wearing your heirloom jewellery or watch…

Be mindful of light and heat

Excess exposure to light and heat can alter the colour of gemstones like amethyst, kunzite, topaz, opal and shell cameos. They can also bleach more delicate materials like ivory and pearl. In fact, too much heat and light can cause gemstones to fracture and pearls can dry out and crack. For this reason, it’s wise not to take your heirloom jewellery on holiday with you, where it might have prolonged exposure to the sun. 

Avoid chemicals

Chemicals can discolour precious metals like gold, silver and platinum and damage the surface of porous stones such as pearl and turquoise. Chemicals don’t just include cleaning products and chlorine, but everyday substances such as hairspray, lotion, perfume and other cosmetics. Remember to remove any jewellery or watch before cleaning and let your cosmetics sprays and lotions dry before putting it on. 

Stay away from moisture

Moisture is detrimental to jewellery heirlooms as it can cause rust and Verdigris damage.  Make sure to remove any of your jewellery before you jump into the sea, a pool or the sauna, and avoid also avoid wearing it if you are exercising. 

When cleaning your heirloom…

Use a toothbrush/cloth, soap and water

You don’t need much when you’re cleaning vintage jewellery. Use a toothbrush or a lint free cloth, so stray fabric hairs don’t get trapped in the setting, then dampen it in a warm soapy water solution. Rub the surface of your heirloom in circular motions. Rinse off the solution in a cup of warm water instead of the sink (you could lose the jewellery down the drain). Let it dry for at least 15 minutes upside down, so the water drains away from the setting.

Take extra precautions with pearls

Pearls and other soft gems are susceptible to scratching. To clean them, use a soft makeup brush and warm soapy water. If you’re cleaning a strand of pearls, leave them to dry on a towel. The silk thread that holds the pearls together can stretch and attract dirt so avoid touching it until it has completely dried.

When storing your heirloom…

Protect it from scratching

You need to store your jewellery so that the pieces don’t rub against each other. If you don’t take preventative measures, they could get scratched or you could lose a stone. Keep each piece separately in a soft pouch or cloth or get a jewellery box with lots of different sections, each padded with cloth. For pearls, make sure they aren’t stored in a dry area; they need to draw moisture from the air so they don’t crack.

Heirlooms require a little care and maintenance, but keeping them in good condition means you can pass it on to the next generation. If you have any more questions about heirlooms, feel free to get in touch with us now.