There’s a common misconception that only fancy or fake jewelry fade. While it is true that fancy jewelry fades a lot faster, there are also some genuine jewelry types and metals that can have discoloration issues when they are not properly cared for.
Gold-tone jewelry pieces are timeless and typically look good with any outfit, but they can be pretty appalling when the color starts to pale.
The popular vermeil jewelry succumbs to discoloration more easily than most styles. Even high-quality vermeil finishes can be discolored when exposed to certain elements. According to jewelry designer Jennifer Zeuner, three things can ruin your gold-tone accessories — ocean water, sweat, and perfume.
If you want to lengthen the lifespan of your jewelry, follow the simple tips below.
1. Take off your jewelry when swimming
Saltwater and even chlorinated pool water can be really harsh on metal. To avoid a chemical reaction, take off your jewelry before you take a dip in the water. Putting away your jewelry before swimming will also ensure that you don’t lose them in the water.
2. Take off your jewelry when sweating heavily
Body sweat is another element that causes discoloration in jewelry. The more acidic your sweat is, the more likely your jewelry will oxidize. Having high levels of acidity in skin and sweat is also the reason why the skin around your accessories turns green sometimes.
Still, however annoying sweat may be, it is a perfectly normal thing, and you can’t control it. What you can do is be mindful of when you are perspiring. Remember to take off your jewelry when you are at the gym so they won’t be exposed to excessive sweating.
3. Avoid spraying perfume directly on jewelry
Perfume contains a lot of chemicals that can harshly react with metals and plating finishes. So, do not spray perfume directly on any of your jewelry.
If you are going to spray on your pressure points (inside of the wrists and back of the ears), wait a few minutes before wearing your gold accessories.
4. Ensure proper storage.
We sometimes get too lazy to organize our things, especially small trinkets like jewelry. If you want to prolong the life of your favorite accessories, though, it is important to store them properly after use.
Putting away your accessories in a jewelry box or airing them out after use helps avoid discoloration and tangling on the chains. Regular cleaning is also essential to keep them shining like new.
5. Clear nail polish can do wonders
Applying a thin coat of clear nail polish on gold-tone pieces protects the finish from tarnishing. Note, however, that although this trick works well on fancy jewelry, it will not last forever as fancy gold will unavoidably tarnish over time. This procedure will protect and extend the shiny look of your gold accessories for a couple of extra weeks.
Follow these five tips, and you can continue giving your ensembles a style boost by wearing shiny gold-tone jewelry.
Check out the famous faces below who know how to work gold accessories into their wardrobes.
Nicole Scherzinger arrives at the London Palladium for her performance in Cats in London, England, on February 7, 2015
Nicole Scherzinger wearing Chanel gold jewelry
Cara Delevingne at the YSL Beauté held at The Boiler House in London, England, on January 20, 2015
Check out our favorite pieces from Jennifer Zeuner Jewelry:
Mini Integrated Cross Bracelet, $132 at Shopbop
Mini Hamsa Diamond Necklace, $176 at Shopbop
Horizontal Bar Bracelet with Diamond in Yellow Gold, $188 at Shopbop
Vega Extended Ear Crawlers in Gold, $176 at Shopbop
Credit: WENN