Swarovski jewellery is famous all over the world not only for how beautiful it is, but also because all are of excellent quality. Made from various materials such as quartz, sand, minerals and lead, these have the peculiarity that they can maintain a shine and durability that many natural crystals lack.
Of course, we are talking about crystals and artificial gemstones of such a quality that they are capable of imitating natural gemstones, but at a fraction of the price. However, despite being impressive jewels, they are still delicate, so they require proper care to maintain their original beauty and shine.
If you are the lucky owner of one of these pieces of Swarovski jewellery, you will surely want to know how you can take care of it and keep it in perfect condition. Then, we will tell you how to do it, so read on until the end.
Care and maintenance of Swarovski jewellery
In the Swarovski jewels, each crystal is individually fitted and the metals are delicately plated, which means that you will need to take special care when using, cleaning, handling and storing them.
Cleaning your jewellery
Swarovski crystals have a thin protective layer of gold or rhodium. This is something that can limit the cleaning methods that can be used safely on this type of jewellery. So keeping them clean can be challenging, although there are some strategies we can follow to take care of them regularly and keep them looking their best. There are two main methods of cleaning your Swarovski jewellery:
With a dry cloth.
This method is best for light cleaning and general maintenance. Simply hold your piece of Swarovski jewellery in one hand and gently buff its crystals with a soft, dry, lint-free cloth to remove dirt and dust.
To do this, wear cotton gloves to avoid leaving fingerprints. Polish each crystal in a gentle circular motion to restore its original shine and beauty. Always remember to use a light touch to avoid catching the fabric on metal housings or sharper edges. Stubborn marks can be removed with soapy water.
With a toothbrush and soapy water
This method is ideal for regular “deep cleansings” and helps remove stubborn dirt that may have built up. You will need a soft bristle toothbrush (an old one will work), a small bowl of warm water, and a little liquid detergent or mild soap. You will also need a soft, dry, lint-free towel or cloth to dry last.
Dip your brush in the water to moisten the bristles, then add a very small drop of dishwashing liquid or soap to the brush. Concentrating on one crystal at a time, gently brush to remove dirt and dust from your jewellery or statuettes. Try not to rub; use a gentle circular motion, much like the soft cloth method.
Once you have cleaned each Swarovski crystal, hold your piece of jewellery under the tap for a few seconds to rinse off any soap residue.
Important tip: be sure to cover the drain before doing this as the crystals will be slippery and you don’t want to flush them down the drain. Rinse your crystals thoroughly, as any prolonged contact with cleaning products can weaken the metallic coating of your piece of jewellery.
Once rinsed, gently dry the crystals with a lint-free towel or cloth. For best results, finish drying the crystals by hand, and then place them on a towel to dry completely. Make sure they are completely dry before storing.
Care to take with your Swarovski jewellery
Avoid too much exposure to direct sunlight and physical damage
Like any natural crystal, Swarovski crystals are also subject to wear and tear and physical damage. So they should be kept away from any physical damage and should not be exposed to too much direct sunlight for extended periods of time.
Avoid sweat and chemicals
What is somewhat different about Swarovski crystals is their chemical coating which can fog up more easily than some natural crystals if exposed to too much sweat or if they are frequently sprayed with perfumes or washed with strong detergents. The same goes for many other cosmetics and even suntan lotions.
Wait until after you’ve applied your lotion, makeup, perfume, and hair products to wear your Swarovski jewellery. If you wear jewellery before these products, you can stain it or end up getting harsh chemicals on your jewellery that could cause permanent damage to your jewellery.
Remove your jewellery before going swimming, showering or bathing, or washing your hands.
It is wise to keep your Swarovski jewellery away from chlorine, but we trust that you wouldn’t go swimming with your jewellery on anyway. Likewise, it is not good to shower with them, since we could expose our Swarovski jewellery to shower soaps, shampoos and conditioners that can damage the fine coating that protects and gives shine to Swarovski crystal jewellery.
Do not use commercial cleaners.
Do not use commercial jewellery cleaners as they are harsh and can damage the finish of the jewellery. Look for special cleaners designed for Swarovski jewellery, as they are safe to use.
Never use a hard object to clean your crystals.
Do not try to scrape dirt off your Swarovski crystal jewellery. You can scratch the coating in the process, which can cause permanent damage to your jewellery.
Storing your Swarovski jewellery
Store your crystal jewellery in a soft cloth bag.
Keep your Swarovski crystal jewellery separate from other jewellery pieces in its own bag to avoid scratches or tangles. You can also use the original packaging of your jewellery as storage.
ALFA