'OK, so I've purchased my beaded jewellery and accessories, how do I look after them?'

Gemstone beads are a beautiful and versatile addition to any jewellery collection, however, they are delicate and require special care to keep them looking at their best.

However, if not looked after properly, semi precious beads can lack lustre, may appear dull in appearance and lose their healing properties.

Ready to care for your beaded treasures? Follow these tips and keep your beaded jewellery sparkling: 

Keep them Clean.

 

To keep your beaded jewellery in tip top condition clean them regularly using mild soapy water and a soft cloth ensuring that the water is squeezed out of the cloth as much as possible. Gently wipe each bead taking care not to scrub too hard. 

You can also use a soft toothbrush (not too much water) to clean any hard-to-reach areas. Once you have finished cleaning them, rinse the cloth thoroughly in clean water and wipe the beads dry to remove excess soap. Dry the beads thoroughly.

Keep Them Dry

 

To preserve the look and vibrance of your beaded jewellery, avoid getting them wet and keep away from areas of humidity.

Remove them before getting into the bath, shower or swimming pool to avoid submerging them in water. Also take them off before getting into saunas and steam rooms. 

 

Protect your beaded jewellery from exposure to harsh substances like hairsprays, perfumes, chlorine and household chemicals, as they can cause damage as well as discolouration.

Should your jewellery come into contact with any of these substances, promptly rinse using a semi damp cloth, clean water and dry well.

Storing Beaded Jewellery.

Gemstone beads can be easily scratched and lose their vibrance, so it's important to store them carefully. Store your beaded jewellery in either a soft cloth, drawstring pouch, lidded container or jewellery box.

      

 

Also avoid placing your gemstone jewellery in direct sunlight and near heat sources including radiators, steam rooms and saunas.

Be Gentle.

Gemstone beads are delicate and can be easily damaged if they are handled roughly. Avoid wearing beaded jewellery when doing activities that could damage them, such as gardening, housework (e.g. bracelets, rings) or playing sports.

Endurance.

When wearing stretchy bracelets, we tend to get our thumb and fingers underneath to pull them off that can cause excessive stretching and gaps between the beads (gaps can also appear if bracelets are too small), which can eventually break.

To keep stretchy bracelets (and other jewellery) in tip top condition, we suggest 'rolling' them on and off' your wrists. This helps stretchy bracelets to last and prevent them becoming overstretched or loose. We also suggest taking beaded jewellery off before going to bed to prevent excessive stretching and breakage.

Exceptions

 

Beads from the quartz family such as rose quartz, smoky quartz, citrine, amethyst, carnelian and glass are more durable and can be submerged in water. However, it's important to be cautious and avoid doing so especially if quartz beads are combined with other types of beads e.g. tigers eye, selenite etc.

Summary

Proper storage, gentle cleaning and regular maintenance are the secrets to keeping your semi-precious beaded jewellery looking its best. Remember to keep harsh chemicals at bay and handle your treasured pieces with care.

Do you want to add some fresh, unique beaded jewellery to your collection? Explore our handcrafted designs at Aura Vitana where each piece is made with attention to detail and quality materials. We offer a variety of styles to suit every taste.

Have you got a favourite beaded jewellery care tip? Share your wisdom in the comments below and let's keep our sparkling treasures gleaming!

See you at the next blog.