Any piece of jewelry is delicate and prone to getting tarnished over time. Although this is a normal process, it's still frustrating to see your favorite precious metals showing signs of use.

Whether it's diamonds, gold or thrifted, jewelry should be worn and handled with care. So if you intend to wear your jewelry pieces for the long run (or pass them down someday), then take heed of these 4 care tips. 

  
1. Separate Storage

Whether you've cheap or vintage heirloom pieces, you should always store them separately to avoid getting tangled with one another. Apart from using a jewelry box, you can even opt for a jewel tree or cloth pouches, depending on the types of precious metals you own. Nevertheless, any kind of storage is perfect as long as your pieces are well protected. 

2. Jewelry Comes LAST

Beauty products contain chemicals that can damage your jewelry upon contact. Whenever you're putting on make up, applying hand cream or spritzing that Chanel No. 5,  always remember that these come first before putting on your jewelry.

3.  Remove Jewelry When Needed

When you're engaging in activities that involve a lot of hand work such as house chores or sports, then it's best to remove your jewelry beforehand. Doing anything rough can either cause you to lose your pieces unconsciously (eg: unsecured clasp) or exposing them to abrasives.

4. Polishing Cloth

As mentioned before, precious metals will tarnish over time, no matter how gentle you are with them. Again, don't sweat it because the tarnish can be easily cleaned off using a polishing cloth. 

However, for any pricey jewelry that holds a sentimental value, it's best not to take matters into your own hands. Instead, get a professional help so you don't risk damaging it even further.